The residents of Meghalaya are diligent about their cleanliness drives and are proud of the recognition their efforts have earned. The communities also closely identify themselves with nature and worshipping nature is seen among the animist believers. Ancient wisdom has taught the land and its people the practice of sustainability and far-sightedness that continues to be in the people’s favour even today. Nature is deemed an invaluable resource and the most prized inheritance from our ancestors, which is why the people of Meghalaya treat it with utmost respect. Speaking of respect, nothing shows it more than a visitor making the effort to converse with the locals in their language. “Kumno” means “hello”, “Bah” and “Kong” are terms of respect used when addressing male and female elders respectively, and “Khublei shibun” means “thank you very much”. Use these correctly and frequently, and you’ll leave with more memories than most visitors do.