Shillong: In a vibrant display of community spirit and exploration, the inaugural Jane’s Walk Shillong unveiled the charm and character of Risa Colony, offering participants a glimpse into the heartbeat of this neighbourhood nestled in the south-eastern part of Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya in Northeast India. At the break of dawn, a motley crowd of young and not-so-young, locals and visitors, came together to celebrate Jane Jacob’s birth anniversary and be part of a global movement to reclaim cities for people.
Against the backdrop of the lush greenery of the forest, with its undulating lanes, and traditional Assam-type houses set against pretty gardens, it beckoned the walkers to embark on a journey of discovery and observe the neighbourhood as Jane Jacob would have. Led by passionate volunteers and local experts, the walk meandered through the streets, pausing at key landmarks and lesser-known spots. The homes of prominent historical personalities were pointed out, such as Sir Syed Muhammad Saadulla, the first Prime Minister of Assam in British India, in the adjacent Cleve Colony. In a nod to a present-day legend Derby Shullai, a brief stop was made at her home to taste her home-brewed wine. Following the break, the participants walked past welcoming front gardens that encourage incidental social interactions and help to provide ‘eyes on the street’.
At one location, where the open front yard with permeable boundaries was replaced by a tall concrete wall, some ‘tags’ or graffiti signatures appeared, triggering discussion around its intent and merit. One of the highlights of the walk was the opportunity to interact with the locals, who graciously opened their doors to show their beautiful homes and share tales of enduring community spirit. They talked about the neighbourhood’s evolution since its establishment in the 1950s when land parcels were allocated to ‘tribal’ officers, hence the original name ‘Tribal Colony’, which was later changed to Risa which means ‘rejoice’ in the native Khasi language. There was plenty of reminiscing about the olden days when the area abounded with fruit orchards, pristine streams, trout farms and gravel roads.
Leaving the inhabited areas behind, the walkers stepped into the tranquil world of the forest. The forest not only is the green lung of the community, but also provides a host of other benefits including harbouring the natural spring which provides the locality’s water supply, providing edible plants for foraging, accommodating recreational uses, and supporting the flourishing flora and fauna. Risa Colony Hills Forest is at the foothills of the Upper Shillong Forest where the Shillong Peak or Lum Shyllong is located, a peak revered by the Khasis. This reverence is manifest in the care the community extends towards the forest’s upkeep keeping it free of trash and untoward disturbances. The deep veil of tranquillity of the forest also harbours secrets within it – present day workers from the surrounding hill areas trudge the historic horse trails laid by the British to come to work in the city, in the absence of viable public transport services.
As the sun rose above the horizon, signalling the end of the walk, participants gathered at a local resident’s garden for tea and refreshments. Over numerous cups of tea, the participants shared their personal anecdotes of the walk as they were joined by the local Rangbah Shnong or the Headman. It would perhaps not be amiss to say that the walk had not only helped the locals and visitors alike in rediscovering a neighbourhood but had also ignited a spark of inspiration amongst them, fuelling an interest in exploring the diversity of Shillong’s other areas. In an era marked by rapid urbanisation and cultural homogenisation, events like these serve as a powerful reminder of the beauty and importance of local communities in shaping the fabric of our cities.
(The author is the Founding Director of PlaceMaking Foundation, a section 8 non-profit focused on co-creating healthy and dignified public places. Jane’s Walk Shillong was made possible by the generous support extended by Anderson Tea Estate, Shillong Heritage Walks, the Headman and community members. The walk was led by Phrang from Shillong Heritage Walks.)
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