A name on almost every lip on stage at the St. David’s Day celebration at the British Deputy High Commission was that of Thomas Jones. The Welsh Christian missionary, who is known as the “founding father of the Khasi alphabet and literature”, is not only revered across Meghalaya, but a day of the year — June 22 — is also named after him. He has a Calcutta connection too. His last remains rest in a cemetery here.
“After being unknown for over a century, Thomas Jones’ grave has been discovered 20 minutes from here, at the Scottish Cemetery. His story comes full circle in the city,” said Eoghan O’Regan, head of India, Welsh government.
In a speech that drew connections between Wales and eastern India, he pointed out that Meghalaya was the only place in the world to have a public holiday for a Welshman. “Not even St David has that distinction,” he commented, drawing a comparison with the patron saint of Wales, who spread Christianity in the sixth century.
Eoghan O'Regan, head of India, Welsh government, receives a Hornbill festival souvenir from a representative of the government of Nagaland
O’Regan had retraced Jones’ steps along the Dawki River in Meghalaya in late 2025 and spoke of the warm welcome he had received from officials. In neighbouring Nagaland, Wales was the country of honour at the Hornbill Festival in 2024, he recalled, speaking of the cultural exchanges with the Northeast that his government was supporting.
Andrew Fleming, the British deputy high commissioner, said: “The Wales story in eastern India is one of quiet but lasting connection, built not through the Empire alone but through language, education, faith and community.”
In the 19th century, educators and missionaries from Wales travelled to the hills of eastern India, helping shape literacy traditions that still endure. “Jones is remembered as the father of modern Khasi writing. Hymns, translated from Welsh traditions, still echo through churches — a remarkable example of cultural exchange, not cultural replacement,” he said.
The gathering was also addressed by Abu Metha, adviser to the Nagaland chief minister, and Frederick Roy Kharkongor, principal secretary, department of culture, Meghalaya. While the former spoke, among other things, about the collaboration between Welsh folk artist Mari Mathias and Naga musician Seyievinuo Chuzho, which resulted in Welsh and Naga folk melodies blending at the Hornbill Festival in 2024, the latter pointed out that the Khasi national song, Ri-Khasi, Ri-Khasi, shares its melody with the Welsh national anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of My Fathers), indicating a deep cultural bond between Wales and Meghalaya.