

WritingsOnTheWall: The story of beautiful & quiet Meghalaya as Indore man’s murder drags state into sordid media focus
8 snips Jun 10, 2025
The shocking murder of an Indore businessman unfolds against the backdrop of Meghalaya's stunning beauty. As media sensationalizes the crime, the podcast highlights the state's rich culture and deep-rooted traditions, inviting listeners to rethink stereotypes. It dives into the vibrant lives of local tribal communities, especially the Khasis, Jaintias, and Garos, showcasing their struggles and resilience. The discussion also addresses environmental challenges faced by the region amidst industrial growth, reminding us of the urgent need to preserve Meghalaya's heritage.
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Misplaced Negative Stereotypes on Meghalaya
- Meghalaya is a peaceful, beautiful state with a friendly culture and tourist appeal.
- Negative stereotypes emerged unfairly after a high-profile murder unrelated to locals.
Peaceful Meghalaya in 1980s Reporting
- Shekhar Gupta covered the Northeast from 1981-1983 and found Meghalaya peaceful with little violent news.
- The state lacked newsworthy violent stories, making it hard to sell stories from Meghalaya.
Unique Meghalaya Traditions
- Meghalaya's unique culture includes mass archery called Teer where bettors guess the number of arrow hits.
- Traditional crafts included embedding real butterflies into mementos and a local cherry brandy winery.