Salil Gewali Recently, an increasing number of consumers have reported gas leaking from cooking cylinders. This is not merely a household hassle but a potentially fatal hazard. My family faced the same ordeal a few days ago. Despite repeatedly calling the gas agency to resolve the issue, no staff member has shown up. Luckily,…
Salil Gewali No other incident in Meghalaya’s history shook the nation like the murder of businessman Raja Raghuvanshi of Indore in Sohra (Meghalaya), India. What was most disturbing was the reaction of citizens from outside the state. They rushed to blame the people of Meghalaya. Even big media houses kept trying to paint Meghalaya in…
Salil Gewali Why on earth does the government treat education as nothing more than a stepchild? To put it plainly, it is too neglected! A glaring example of this is the latest NEET exam paper leak in India. It shows us clearly that our exam halls are no longer about “merit” but about money, muscle,…
Salil Gewali Politics in India is so messed up that democracy feels like it’s running out of breath. Leaders are rarely chosen for their personal integrity. Those with impressive clout and fat wallets alone emerge victorious. But this time, the West Bengal election result threw up something different. When I saw people screaming with euphoria,…
God does not play dice with the Universe Salil Gewali When Michael N. Syiem, former president of KSU and chairman of the Maitshaphrang Movement, Shillong, Meghalaya, invited me to his unique musical play ‘After Ayodhya: Its Conscience and Man’, I sensed it would be more than music. It was an invitation to step into a…
Salil Gewali There was a time when most Bollywood songs were like poetry. They carried profound meaning and deeper insight. They were so deeply soothing to the heart that they stirred listeners to dream of heavenly beauty and romance. Songs such as “Neele gagan ke tale, dharti ka pyaar pale” or “Kora kagaz tha…
Salil Gewali, born on January 21, 1971, in Shillong, stands today as one of India’s most distinguished writers, bridging the gap between India’s timeless heritage and the modern world through his extraordinary literary contributions that have won appreciation from across the world. Roots of Inspiration Gewali’s journey into the world of letters was deeply influenced…
Salil Gewali Every burst of a firecracker by children today stirs something deep within me. It brings back a flood of cherished memories from my childhood, days filled with innocent mischief, wide-eyed wonder, and the pure joy of celebration. As small kids, we would feel quite down as Durga Puja celebration would over. However,…
Salil Gewali Our tongue has no bones, yet it is very hurtful. Sometimes it’s even more hurtful than wounds inflicted by a lethal weapon. One with an uncontrolled tongue usually makes more enemies than friends. Therefore, in society, a person holding a higher status and enjoying high respect should always measure his words. Such individuals…
Salil Gewali Anyone who sincerely takes a bird’s-eye view of the areas around Jorabat (India) cannot help but feel a deep sense of hopelessness. The lush green hills that once stood like proud forts of Meghalaya’s natural charm are now gasping for breath. Not just that, they are scarred, shrinking, and also weeping! It seems…
SALIL GEWALI We are, without question, passengers on a vessel steered by “forces” we cannot foresee. When the news came that Zubeen Garg had left this world, it felt as if the sky over Assam, nay the entire Northeast, had lost its light. The man who sang in forty languages, who gave us more…
A shocking incident in Shillong, (India), where a four-year-old girl was found brutally murdered has once again forced society to ask a slew of uncomfortable questions. What sort of world have we built where the first instinct of many is not to grieve but to sensationalize such tragedies recklessly. Instead of offering prayers and…
Salil Gewali Nothing is more heartening than the fact that the Government of India has now fully banned all real-money online games, including fantasy sports, card games, online lotteries, and betting platforms through the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. Sadly, it took so long for the government to wake up to the…
Shillong witnessed a remarkable tribute this Sunday as the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Foundation, Kolkata, organized a solemn event to mark the 10th Death Anniversary of India’s beloved “Missile Man” and former President, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam on 27 July 2025. The program was held at the U Soso Tham Auditorium and formed part of…
Salil Gewali Until just two months ago, amid the noise at a certain point on the periphery of Iewduh market, there stood a petite woman — Airi. About 25 years old, Airi and her little daughter, Dari, who was barely 6, would leave their tiny hut in Mawiong [Shillong, Meghalaya] and begin their journey toward…