TURA, OCT 25: Twenty-five gun salute marked the 25th death anniversary of legendary leader and founder chief minister of Meghalaya late Capt Williamson A Sangma on Sunday.
The commemoration ceremony was held at Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC). Late Capt Sangma is also the first chief executive member of the council. The council has been observing the death anniversary of the departed leader for over two decades now, keeping his vision and philosophy alive.
Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma, deputy chief minister Rowell Lyngdoh, State Planning Board chairman and former chief minister Salseng C. Marak and host of other dignitaries, including chairman of district council Boston Marak, chief executive member of district council Denang T. Sangma were present at the commemoration ceremony and prayer service held at Capt Sangma’s
residence at Hawakhana.
The dignitaries laid wreaths before the statue of Capt Sangma and observed one minute of silence. People from all walks of life were present to pay their floral tribute.
Speaking at the commemoration ceremony, chief minister Mukul Sangma recollected Capt Sangma’s ideal and vision for Meghalaya. “He was a leader, who was ever willing to respond to the need of the people. The people of the state have been blessed to have a leader like Captain Sangma, who has preached and practice the spirit of love, compassion and truth”.
Talking about the present challenges the state is dealing with, the chief minister said, “It is not easy to preach the message of peace and harmony. We have to imbibe and emulate the teaching of Capt Sangma to overcome the challenges and fulfill the dreams the late leader had dreamt for Meghalaya”.
“Captain Sangma demonstrated through action, the actual love for the people irrespective of their caste, creed and colour”, the chief minister added.
Stating that all people came together under his (Captain Sangma) leadership for the hill state movement, which led to the formation of GHADC in 1951 and a separate state carved out of Assam in 1972, the chief minister said, “Meghalaya has to be inclusive and accommodative to carry forward a democracy which is inclusive, which was the dream of Captain Sangma”.
Making an assertion that everything revolves around the language of love and compassion, the chief minister asserted, “We can fight all forces with love and compassion”.
Leading the pledge for Meghalaya for peace and harmony during the
anniversary, the chief minister said, “Meghalaya can marched ahead and fulfill the dreams of the visionary leader by reconnecting the younger generation with the philosophy of Captain Sangma”.
Deputy chief minister Rowell Lyngdoh recollected his association with the departed leader and termed him as the “tallest leader of our state”. He read out his biography and his close affinities with than Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
“Captain Sangma was a democratic men, he walked for the overall welfare of the indigenous people of the state. His philosophy and dream should inspire the younger generation”, Lyngdoh said.
Chairman of state planning board and former chief minister Salseng C. Marak said, “He was a visionary, a leader with farsightedness. He worked to revive and protect the culture and ethos of the Garo community”.
Marak recollected his long association with Captain Sangma and spoke briefly about his 16 long years of non-violent movement for creation of Meghalaya. “He united all tribes and worked for communal harmony”, Marak added.
Captain Sangma’s youngest daughter Rebecca Ch. Momin spoke at length about his late father and his love for his people. “He loved his wife very much. He was fond of cooking and every day, he would cook one of his favorite dishes and serve to all his children. He never made false promises”.
Momin also appealed to the people of Garo hills to maintain peace and social harmony.
To the 25th death anniversary of Captain Sangma various competitions were held for school children on the life and philosophy of Captain Sangma.- From Our Correspondent
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