Even as many pockets of the state, including its capital, battle the ravages of development and consumerism, a couple of villages visited by the author stand as examples of resilient local economies and lifestyles. 

The village is not very old; it all began in 1963 with three families. Nongtraw comprises of 40 households with a total population of 280 (2011 census), all belonging to the same tribe ‘Khasi’, but to different clans within the tribe, namely, Ranee, Dohling, Diengdoh, Khongsit, Nongrum, Khonglam, Riahtam, and Khongngain. The people of Nongtraw are deeply connected to their lands, and their primary occupation is agriculture.