Riwanka Pde wins first Behdienkhlam essay contest

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 11, 2025

For the first time, the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills, organised an essay competition for students from Upper Primary to Higher Secondary level, centred on the theme “Behdienkhlam Festival.”

The competition was held on July 10 at Kiang Nangbah Government Higher Secondary School, Mynthong, Jowai. Winners were felicitated the following day, July 11, at the Conference Room of the DC’s office, Jowai.

Present on the occasion were local MLA Wailadmiki Shylla, Deputy Commissioner Abhinav Kumar Singh, IAS, Assistant Commissioner F. Passah, Jowai Dalloi Puramon Kynjing, Seinraij Jowai President H. Toi, and other dignitaries.

MLA Wailadmiki Shylla thanked the Deputy Commissioner and his team for organising this first-of-its-kind essay competition, highlighting its role in preserving the rich cultural heritage of Jaintia Hills. He emphasised the importance of documenting local traditions and urged that such initiatives continue. Shylla expressed satisfaction over the students’ participation, calling it a positive sign of growing interest among the youth, and congratulated all involved.

Deputy Commissioner Abhinav Kumar Singh credited MLA Wailadmiki Shylla for envisioning the essay competition as a platform to promote writing skills among students while celebrating local culture. He shared that the idea was to revive literary skills by linking them with the Behdienkhlam Festival. Singh noted that he, along with his team and other officers, had personally reviewed all the submitted essays and was highly impressed by their quality, calling it beyond expectations. He expressed pride in the students of the district and assured that more such initiatives would follow under the MLA’s leadership. He also extended his gratitude to Wailadmiki Shylla and wished everyone a happy and blessed Behdienkhlam.