Tura, August 28: The Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma said that no community can exist in isolation, while addressing the gathering at Bakrapur in Golpara District Assam while celebrating the 100th death anniversary of the Garo Leader Late Sonaram Rongrokgre Sangma, organized by the Garo Students, Union on the 27 of this month 2016.
The Chief Minister stressed the need for the people today to connect with the past and emulate the positive actions of our late leaders, while at the same time he also underlined the need to insulate the young generation from negative forces. He (Dr Mukul) recall that Late Sonaram Rongrokgre Sangma the Garo politician, a patriot and freedom fighter
The day-long celebration was also attended by the Tura Parliamentarian Conrad K. Sangma, Parliamentary Secretaries, Cherak W. Momin, Brigady N Marak, Samuel M. Sangma and Michael T. Sangma, lone Garo Legislator in Assam Dr. Numal G. Momin, Chief Executive Member, GHADC Denang T. Sangma, other MDCs , academicians and leaders of various organizations among others.
Participating for the first time in the celebration being organized annually, the Chief Minister called Sonaram Sangma a selfless and compassionate leader, whose love for the people led him to give up his job to fight against the British for the rights of his community and protect their interests through non-violent means. While stressing on the need to connect with the positive past, he said that in today’s age there is no longer need for taking up armed struggle to address our grievances.
“When we love our community, we must also love people from other communities because no community can exist in isolation and prosperity can sustain only when all communities prosper together”, he said.
On the problems faced by the people living in the contiguous Garo-habited areas of Assam, he said that people on both sides of the border share the same problems and added that the people have been given their rights and opportunities but they must also remember their responsibilities. He exhorted the people to be righteous like their past leaders, saying that a community can grow only when we move ahead with righteousness.
The Chief Minister, who also released the souvenir “Jachri” which was published to commemorate the occasion, gave a word of caution saying that there is a need to screen some writings that eulogize wrong and negative things as they could mislead the people.
On the occasion, the celebration committee also honoured eight outstanding Garo personalities for their contributions in various fields. A book by Dr. Milton Sangma, former Pro-VC , NEHU and ICFAI, titled “The Mongoloid Invasion of South Goalpara” was released by the Chief Minister . A book – “Political Movement of Sonaram R. Sangma and its impact upon the Garo Society” authored by Dr. Tharsush K. Sangma was also released on the occasion.
Tura MP, Conrad K. Sangma and MLA of Bokajan, Assam, Numal G. Momin were among others who also addressed the gathering on the occasion. The day-long celebration was also marked by laying of wreathes at the late leader’s cemetery and performance of cultural dances, patriotic songs and entertainment by various groups and artistes.
First political leader among the Garos, Sonaram Sangma organized the Garo people living in the then Garo Hills and Goalpara districts of erstwhile Assam and led thenon-violent movement against the British Raj. He died on 27th August, 1916 and was buried at the Bakrapur Christian Cemetery which presently falls under Goalpara district of Assam.
