Shillong, Sep 3: The Meghalaya government is examining the proposal for declaration of November 1 annually as a holiday as a mark of respect to legendary political leader of Meghalaya, Rev. James Joy Mohan Nichols Roy who passed away on November 1, 1959.
A delegation from the Church of God (Meghalaya & Assam) today met Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and submitted a representation proposing Rev. Nichols Roy’s death anniversary to be declared as an annual State holiday.
Church of God Pastors’ Fellowship secretary Rev. S K Syiemlieh said that the delegation told the Deputy Chief Minister of the numerous contributions of Rev. Nichols Roy to the country and the tribal community of North East India as a political figure.
“As everyone knows, Rev. Nichols Roy is the architect of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution which has benefitted the tribal communities of not only Meghalaya but also the entire North East region,” Rev. Syiemlieh said.
He also said that Rev. Nichols Roy was one of the pioneers of the Church of God in Meghalaya and the church would commemorate its 125th year in 2027.
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When asked about the outcome of the meeting with Tynsong, Rev. Syiemlieh said that the Deputy Chief Minister was open to the idea and assured to take the proposal for proper discussion in the government before any final decision is taken.
It may be recalled that Laban-Mawprem MDC, Ricky Shullai was the first to raise the demand for declaration of Rev. Nichols Roy’s death anniversary as a State holiday.
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Shullai had even asked the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to take the lead by declaring the day as a holiday.
