Minister in-charge Arts and Culture Paul Lyngdoh in presence of South Shillong MLA and MTDC chairman Sanbor Shullai on Wednesday laid the foundation stone of the Tagore Cultural Complex at Rilbong.
Addressing the gathering, Paul Lyngdoh said today marks the first anniversary of MDA II government and this cultural complex is a birthday gift in a way to the people of the state.
He also said Shillong is not just a name, a city or an address but it is a hub of culture and it is also an icon of civilization. He invoked the historical ties of Shillong with eminent Bengali figures like Gurudev Tagore and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Reflecting on the recent unveiling of the Tirot Singh bust and library in Dhaka, Lyngdoh expressed the government’s aspiration for reciprocity, materializing in the form of the Tagore Cultural Centre. Inspired by the very place where Tagore penned some of his most renowned works, this centre aims to become a global cultural, connecting Shillong, Dhaka, and West Bengal.
Lyngdoh expressed pride in Shillong’s artistic contributions, despite its modest size, acknowledging the birth of numerous classics in arts, music, poetry, and literature. The government’s vision for the cultural complex is expansive, envisioning it not only as a haven for local Tagore enthusiasts but also as a platform for global cultural exchanges between Shillong, Dhaka, and West Bengal.
Quoting Gurudev’s philosophy, Lyngdoh underscored the imperative of transcending ethnic identities to become global visionaries. Urging community support, he called on everyone to spread the news that Shillong has enriched its cultural landscape with the establishment of the Tagore Cultural Complex. Notably, the complex boasts a unique feature—an intimate space once utilized by Tagore, including a bed where the literary giant once rested. In conclusion, Lyngdoh appealed for proactive backing to rejuvenate Shillong as a vibrant centre of art and culture, exemplified by initiatives like the Tagore Cultural Complex.
It may be noted that the South Shillong had initiated and recommended the sanction of the Tagore Cultural Complex for an amount of Rs 14.58 crores.
In his speech, Shullai said “Today is a historic occasion to unveil the foundation stone for construction of Tagore Cultural Complex”.
Shullai informed that it was in the year 2021 when he was the minister in-charge of arts government of Meghalaya he had rigorously had taken up this issue with union minister of arts and culture Gangapuram Kishan Reddy to sanction funds for the project.
“The union minister in-charge of arts and culture Gangapuram Kishan Reddy had passed an order in 2021 to sanctioned funds for construction of Tagore Cultural Complex at Rilbong. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the union minister for his keen interest to get this project sanctioned from his table” he added.
Also present on the occasion were F. R Kharkongor, Commissioner & Secretary, Arts and Culture Department, F. M Dopth, Secretary Arts and Culture Department, D. D Shira, Director, Arts and Culture Department, and others.
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