Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has requested for adding Shillong as the President of India’s “third retreat location” to make the governance more inclusive.
Sangma recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and submitted a memorandum, which emphasized on setting up of a President’s retreat in Shillong.
“Shillong is a beautiful hill station, and is the erstwhile capital of northeastern states. It would be great if a third retreat for the President of India is set up in Shillong,” Sangma said.
At present, during summer months, President of India spends two weeks at the Retreat Building at Mashobra in Shimla. The building was taken over during 1895 by the Viceroy.
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The President visits The Retreat in Shimla at least once a year and the entire office of Rashtrapati Bhawan shifts there during the President’s stay. The building was constructed in 1850.
Similarly, during the winter months, the President of India spends about two weeks at Rashtrapati Nilayam at Bolarum in Hyderabad. Constructed during 1860, the building has a total land area of 90 acres.
Sangma told the Prime Minister that by including Shillong as the “third retreat” of President of India, the federal government will be able in direct touch with the people of northeast.
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“People of northeast and especially Meghalaya, will be proud if the President of India spends about two weeks in Shillong,” Sangma said, adding, “Moreover, the President of India will also get to spend some time with the tribal people of northeast.”