Shillong, Sept 01: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today launched the “Tracing the Roots” programme at the District Auditorium, Tura, in presence of Arts & Culture Minister Sanbor Shullai and MLA Mehtab Chandee A Sangma.
The programme is a State Government’s initiative to document and deepen understanding of Meghalaya’s indigenous heritage. In the words of Chief Minister, the project is a vision and motivation that was initiated by Late Purno Agitok Sangma.
The Chief Minister dedicated the research project for the people and termed that it was launched on the 79th birth anniversary of Late Purno Sangma to pay a befitting tribute to him. The research will be on – critical and multidisciplinary study of the origins and historical movements of the Garos.
Recalling a personal conversation with his late father (L) Purno A. Sangma, the Chief Minister said, “It was one of those normal conversations between a father and son. But looking back, every conversation had a strong message. It was like a classroom for me, a roadmap for life and for the State.”
He said that during one such conversation, Late P. A. Sangma had expressed concern that there is no proper scientific documentation of the roots, history, migration and culture of the people of Meghalaya, especially the Garo tribal people.
“That one conversation stayed in my mind. I have always believed that God has put us here for a purpose, and that purpose is deeply linked to those conversations,” the Chief Minister said.
“Keeping this in mind, about two years back, I decided we must start a programme to study all aspects of our culture and history and scientifically bring out evidence on the actual identity of our people. A small note I prepared one-and-a-half years ago, which I shared with the Principal Secretary, the Honourable Minister and some research scholars, has today taken shape as this programme.”
The Chief Minister informed that the initiative is not merely academic, but rooted in identity, heritage and collective memory. Through a multidisciplinary approach, it will bring together historical research, oral traditions, indigenous knowledge, linguistics, archaeology and archival study.
Under the programme, 75 scholars will travel to Vietnam, Cambodia and Tibet to study the origins and historical journeys of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo people.
The Khasi-Jaintia team will undertake a study titled “Ki Dienjat: Re-examining Khasi-Jaintia Socio-cultural Linkages with Southeast Asia,” while the Garo component will examine theories concerning origins and historical movement, including the Tibet or northern highlands hypothesis.
To make research accessible, the Chief Minister has also launched dedicated e-Portal as a central platform for information, research data and collaboration, which will lead to digital archives, scholarly publications and educational resources for future generations.
“Tracing the Roots is more than a research project. It is a journey of rediscovery, undertaken so that we may reconnect with our past, understand our present and shape our future with greater confidence”, he added.
Stressing that “our forefathers have always taught us to care for others, to be respectful, and to live in peace and harmony,” he urged the people to look back and remember the teachings of their ancestors. He also stated that the ongoing research will be an important milestone for generations to remember for the people and the country.
