Shillong, June 2: Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar. has asked the state government to consider preserving the memories of statesman Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy by way of protecting his two heritage houses.
This was in response to the letter addressed to the governor ny Malabika Bisharad, who had sought his intervention to preserve the houses at Laban and near the Secretariat.
“The Hon’ble Governor has desired that the State Government may examine the said request on merit and take actions as appropriate under intimation to this Secretariat”, said the letter addressed to Arts and Culture department from the Lok Bhavan.
Earlier, Bisharad had petitioned East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner regarding the matter.
The full letter below
To
Deputy commissioner, East Khasi Hills , Shillong
With reference to the letter No. Dev.35(I)E.50/Arts and Culture/2020/226 Dated Shillong: the 19th July, 2024 and subject matter cited above (received from Additional Deputy commissioner East Khasi Hills Shillong), I would like to inform you that so far I have not received any information/ letter from Director of Urban Affairs, Meghalaya Shillong.
I have sent you few questions related to Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy and Shillong in my previous email. I have not received any information. In last December 2025, I went to Kolkata to do more research on Bidhan Chandra Roy and Shillong. I am extremely thankful to ‘B.C. Roy Memorial Library’, Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIM CALCUTTA) that they have provided me with the books, DR.B.C.ROY by K.P. THOMAS and BUILDERS OF MODERN INDIA DR BIDHAN CHANDRA ROY by NITISH SENGUPTA. I have researched in other libraries in Kolkata.
After extensive research on Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, I have come know that the house of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy which is situated at Kench’s Trace Laban Shillong Meghalaya and the house of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy situated opposite Meghalaya Secretariat are very important houses which are enriched with valuable histories related to Bharat Ratna Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy.
Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy’s contributions to North East India have not yet been written in a proper manner. Very few people of Shillong and North East India know the histories and contributions of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy to NE, which are needed to be unveiled and Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy’s houses at Shillong are needed to be preserved as heritage houses. Both the concrete structures /buildings were built by Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy after October 1920.
In those houses Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy used to stay during his visit to Shillong.
Behind the concrete structure of Circuit House or Ray Villa (Not, Roy Villah), few some Assam type rooms are present.
Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy used to stay in the concrete building of Circuit House and not in the Assam type rooms. His photo was hung on the wall of drawing room of Circuit House (Information received from late Pritish Chakraborty by this author during 2005 who used to visit Circuit House/Ray Villa’s garden since his childhood. His house is situated near the Circuit House. He was a very well known personality of Meghalaya). Bidhan Chandra Roy built only the concrete structure. Those Assam type rooms might be built by other persons. Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy purchased and built concrete structure to stay (information received from late Shri Pritish Chakraborty). Same architectural house he had built which is situated opposite Meghalaya Secretariat. Which was famous as ‘Shillong Hydroelectric Company’ Pvt Ltd.
Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy took initiative to bring electricity to Shillong during 1920s and he was the first Chairman of Airways India who took initiative to open an Air connectivity between Assam and Bengal province during British Rule in India. Shillong was a very important place/capital city of those days.
I wish in the near future those houses will be preserved in a proactive manner as heritage houses.
That will enhance the dignity/fame of Government of Meghalaya in the field of preserving heritage buildings.
In my previous letter I have requested to install statue of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy at Circuit House/Ray Villa. I wish Bharat Ratna Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy’s contribution to North East India will be preserved in Circuit House. Statue will be installed on the premises of the unique architectural building – Circuit House/Ray Villa lived by the great visionary Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy to pay him honour.
I am forwarding you my research article/letter on Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy which has published in Meghalaya Monitor daily on 19th April 2026 from Shillong Meghalaya recently for your kind information .
Kindly go through the letter/article which contains various informations related to Circuit House and another house which belonged to Bharat Ratna Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy. I have given many informations on Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy and Shillong. I wish those will help you to preserve the memories of Bharat Ratna Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy in Shillong.
