Watch: PM Modi Honoured With A Tune In "Whistling Village" Of Meghalaya
NDTV
Meghalaya's Kongthong village composed a tune in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to thank him for promoting tourism.
Meghalaya's Kongthong village, which is also known as the "whistling village", recently honoured Prime Minister Narendra Modi by making him part of a unique tradition that goes back centuries. Grateful to the people of Kongthong for this kind gesture. The Government of India is fully committed to boosting the tourism potential of Meghalaya. And yes, have also been seen great pictures of the recent Cherry Blossom Festival in the state. Looks beautiful. @SangmaConradhttps://t.co/9ibr8eM1zd
In this village, located in the lush, rolling hills of the northeast state, everyone's name is a melody as mothers compose a special tune for each child when it is born. Everyone in the village, inhabited by the Khasi people, then addresses the person with the individual little tune or whistle for a lifetime. They have conventional "real" names too, but they are rarely used.
Kongthong, around 60km from capital Shillong, has long been cut off from the rest of the country, several hours of tough trek from the nearest town, and the centre has taken up the initiative to put the village on the map by promoting tourism.
The Ministry of Tourism recently nominated the village for the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Contest from India.
