Sh. D.N. Joshi is the Deputy Chariman of the Meghalaya State Development Commission and is keenly associated with all developmental programmes of the state of Meghalaya. He is also associated with Tourism, Govt. of Meghalaya, as one of its Directors. He has spent all his life in the beautiful city of Shillong, in the north-eastern state of Meghalaya and hopes to see the growth of the state of Meghalaya in all respects.

 

Sh. D.N. Joshi was born on the 14^th of  Nov. 1922. He started his career very humbly, as a teacher in the lowest grade in his neighbourhood M.E.School. Very soon he was promoted and became the headmaster of the same school. His endeavour to upgrade the M.E. School paid off and soon after the school became a high school in Shillong.

 

Sh. D.N. Joshi as a young man took active interests in social activities and became the founder secretary of the Assam Gorkha league and the president of the same organization between 1952-1955. He joined politics in 1972 and was elected as member of State Legislative Assembly. Thereafter he remained M.L.A. for 6 terms for a continuous period of 31 years without any break. During this period he held several posts in the Govt. of Meghalaya as Chairman of different boards, members of different committees in the Meghalaya Assembly and also became the Minister Parliamentary Affairs and Chief Whip of his party.

 

He is also connected with the development of many educational and social institutions in Meghalaya. He has recently established a college for higher education by the name of Buddha Bhanu Sarswati Mahavidyalaya.

 

1. Most memorable Event in his life: His initiation in March 1955 to the way of God and Satsang and when he became a Sahaprati Ritwik (An Instrument to change other to the way God) in Oct. 1960.

2. Hobbies:- He is a voracious reader and lover of Indian Classical Music.

3. His Dream:- To see the entire populace of India live a Divine, Peaceful and Progressive life and give a lead to the entire world.

4. His favourite food :- He is completely vegetarian. He likes to take fruits after his every meal.

5. His favourite holiday:- Sojourns to Deoghar, Jharkhand to enjoy the Divine company of the Acharya Dev of Satsang.

 

His dreams for the state of Meghalaya:- He loves Meghalaya the place of his birth and wants it to be a model state of India flocked by people from all over India and abroad to enjoy the scenic beauty and hospitality of the people of Meghalaya.

 

Meghalaya was declared the 21^st state of Indian Republic on January 21, 1972 by the Late former Prime Minister of India Smt. Indira Gandhi in a colorful function in Shillong – fulfilling the long and cherished political aspirations of the people of Meghalaya hills, namely – Khasi, Jaintia and Garo hills.

 

Meghalaya is Gods own land, blessed with the treasure garden of Mother nature, with its richly varied and dense endemic, exotic and cultivated flora and fauna. It is lush green and boasts of an unique vegetation which is a nature lover’s and botanist’s paradise. The plethora of orchids found in Meghalaya are – Lady’s slipper, Blue Vanda, Leopard Orchid, Foxtail orchid and among many others . Also one can spot the rare …carnivorous plant – the bird of paradise or lipstick plant, among the hills.

 

The state Meghalaya derived its name from the beautiful description detailed by the great educationist Suniti Kumar Chatterjee of Calcutta University in his research paper about the cloud-clad hills around Shillong. Dr.Chatterjee mentioned the place as ‘Meghalaya’ and truly the definition conjures up thoughts of high hills crested with clouds. So, it is. The abode of clouds.

 

The state has the unique feature of being blessed with the world’s highest rain fed region, Mawsynram  and Cherranpunjee. The other major tourist spots to be visited in Meghalaya apart from Shillong are the Mawsmai caves and other caves like Krem Mawmluh with a length of 4503mts are the 4^th largest in the Indian subcontinent.

 

Also the sacred forest of Mawphlang  which is located at a distance of 58 kms from Shillong are worth seeing in Khasi Hills.

 

The picturesque town of Jowai, circled by the Myntdue river, on the Shillong – Silchar national highway consists of numerous thrilling caves and caverns which were being used as hideouts during war by the Jaintia Kings in the olden times. Jowai is the most important town in Jaintia hills.

 

Tura is the most important town in the Garo hills. Garo hills is known for its abundance of wild life and flora and fauna.….

 

The entire state is abundant with numerous cataracts and waterfalls. It is lush green and during monsoon the home of  low lying clouds befriending the magnificent peaks. Shillong peak is one tourist interest spot thronged by the tourists. Meghalaya Tourism offers excellent place to stay in, in Shillong ,in Hotel Pinewood. There are other good hotels as well in city's main market place-the Police Bazar. The nearest civil airport is at Guahati, which is about 101 kms by road from Shillong.