Tura, April 22: The Sacred Heart Parish felicitated Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Home Minister James K. Sangma and Government Chip Whip Agatha K. Sangma in a felicitation ceremony held after the Sunday morning service.
Bishop of Tura Rt. Rev Andrew Marak expressed his gratitude and congratulated Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, Home Minister James K. Sangma and Government Chief Whip Agatha K. Sangma.
During the felicitation ceremony, Bishop Andrew Marak handed over a memorandum requesting Government of Meghalaya to nominate Most Rev. George Mamalassery, Bishop Emeritus of Tura for Padma awards for his over six decade of missionary service in Garo hills region of Meghalaya.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister expressed his gratefulness to the church particularly Fr. Batista Busolin and other Christian missionaries for upbringing his late father Purno Agitok Sangma.
“Today, we are in this position because the missionaries took care of my father and educated him. We will always be grateful and thankful to the missionaries for their service to my family and for the people of Garo hills”, said the Chief Minister.He also told the gathering that his late father always reminded them to keep God in every task they do.
Talking about challenges and difficulties, the Chief Minister said, “Meghalaya being a small State is confronted with lot of challenges in terms of revenue generation but the Government despites all odds have embarked on a mission to accelerate growth and development”.
He mentioned about clearing the latest 5th pay commission to government employees which alone would require a whooping 5800 crores. “It is a daunting task which this government is committed to fulfilling,” said the chief minister.He also informed that his government has set a target of electrifying 1,30,000 households in the state within one year.
The Chief Minister urged the youth to dream big and not be afraid to take risks and explore the possibilities of entrepreneurship. “Our government is coming out with a start up policy that will target the youth for entrepreneurship. One must dare to dream big and be unafraid to take risks”, said the Chief Minister.
He narrated a success story of entrepreneurship by a youth from Khasi Hills who left his job in the United States to return home and start his own venture. The young man began Apiculture, breeding bees for production of honey and bee wax.
“Today his produce is exported to Germany and Dubai because there is a very high demand for organic honey from Meghalaya owing to its purity”, pointed out the chief minister.
The Chief Minister also recalled with immense gratitude the contributions of the church and it’s missionaries in providing education and healthcare to the people of Garo Hills mentioning about his late father Purno Agitok Sangma, who as a young boy in the village was taken under the care of missionaries.
Meghalaya Home Minister James Pangsang K Sangma also addressed the gathering dedicating the felicitation programme to two Italian missionaries, Rev. Anthony Bucceri and Batista Busolin, for their contribution to Garo Hills during their lifetime of missionary work.
On rising crimes against women and children, the Home Minister said the government welcomed everyones support and was keen to involve all denominations and groups as stakeholders to tackle the challenges facing society.
Bishop Andrew in his address appealed to the people to be responsible citizens and utilise government schemes properly. He also advised the new government to do good for all of society.
