Shillong, Nov 7: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today laid the foundation stone for the construction and beautification of the historic Cenotaph in Tura, in the presence of Cabinet Minister and Chairman of the Committee for the Preservation of Garo Culture and Heritage Marcuise N. Marak, Minister of Arts and Culture Sanbor Shullai and other dignitaries.
The Cenotaph in Tura stands as a memorial honoring the sacrifices of the Garo Labour Corps who served during World War I. The project aims to preserve and enhance this historic site, ensuring that it continues to serve as a place of remembrance, pride and reflection for the people of Garo Hills.
Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, said that a cenotaph is a very symbolic and important monument and the Cenotaph in Babupara Tura that honours the Garo Labour Corps is very near to the people of Garo Hills. “I also wish to express my gratitude to the members of the Committee for the Preservation of Garo Culture and Heritage under the Chairmanship of Minister, Marcuise N Marak, religious leaders, senior and distinguished citizens and members of the civil society bodies who over the last couple of months have has extensive deliberations and consultative meetings to give a shape to the construction and beautification of the cenotaph,” he said.
Welcoming the family of the Garo Labour Corps to the occasion the Chief Minister said that all the Garo Labour Corps who have served during the First World War will be given due honours once the cenotaph is completed. “Today we are just laying the foundation stone for the reconstruction of the cenotaph and once the permanent structure with a new design is completed we will honour all those who served both who lost their lives in foreign lands and those who returned home, in a befitting manner for their sacrifices and services,” he added.
He also urged the Committee for the Preservation of Garo Culture and Heritage to meet the kith and kin and family of the Garo Labour Corps to document the history of the Garo Labour Corps and added, “The government will extend full support to the committee to undertake the research.” He also stated that in the past as a community and even as governments research and documentation is not adequate and a lot of information has been lost.
Expressing great satisfaction at the new design of the cenotaph the Chief Minister said, “The new design is simple yet dignified and when visitors will visit the cenotaph a feeling of the dept and seriousness of the cenotaph will be evoked.” He also suggested that such important places with the help of modern technology should have information disseminated to the visitors about the place or monument.
Members of the Cenotaph Committee, representatives from NGOs, local leaders, officials, and residents were also present at the ceremony, expressing their appreciation for the government’s effort to restore and enhance one of Tura’s most significant monuments.
