Shillong, June 23: Nestled in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills District, Laitkynsew village has become the first place to have a museum on the Indo-Bangladesh border.
The G.G. Swell Museum was declared open yesterday to the public by Meghalaya legislator, Jemino Mawthoh at a glittering function attended by Meghalaya Home Minister, Mrs. Roshan Warjri. The museum was established by Professor’s G.G.Swell daughter and family members with the support of Laitkynsew village authorities in memory of the two term former Lok Sabha Speaker, Professor G.G. Swell who has made an indelible at the national politics during his illustrious political career.
Prof. G.G. Swell was born and brought up in a remote Laitkynsew village and began his career by teaching English in Ethiopia before the joining the Hill State Movement for the creation of Meghalaya. Speaking on the occasion, Meghalaya Legislator, Jemino Mawthoh termed late Prof. G.G. Swell a rare statesman that the state has produced.
Mawthoh said Prof. Swell did play his part for the creation of Meghalaya due to his close association with the them late Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. Recalling the gigantic contribution made by Prof. Swell, Mawthoh said, “We should rekindle the flames so that we can move forward” and reminded the gathering that to live in the hearts of those we leave behind is not to die.
Besides Prof. Swell, the village has produced imminent personalities like former Meghalaya Chief Minister, D.D. Pugh, the first principal of Allahabad Agricultural College, Prof. H.K. Synrem, Thodore Cajee, Sib Charm Roy to mention a few of them. Speaking on the occasion, Meghalaya MLA Mr. T. Chyne informed that Prof. Swell was very punctual and an up right person who represented India at the United Nation and served an an ambassador to Norway and Myanmar. Chyne also informed that Prof. Swell in 1992 contested the Indian presidential election as a joint opposition candidate against Shankar Dayal Sharma but lost.
