Shillong, Jul 16: The 108th Garo Labour Corps Day was observed in Tura on Thursday, underscoring a unique historical link between Meghalaya and France forged during the First World War.
The commemorative programme at the district auditorium, organised by the Tura Municipal Board, honoured the sacrifice of Garo men who volunteered as part of the Indian Labour Corps and were deployed to France over a century ago.
In France, the Garo labourers worked behind the frontlines building roads, transporting supplies and maintaining military infrastructure for Allied forces. Their service came at great cost, with many losing their lives far from home.
Officials and speakers noted that the Corps’ contribution to the global war effort is only now receiving wider recognition. In recent years, efforts to document the history of the Garo Labour Corps have increased, bringing attention to the role played by men from the Garo Hills in World War I.
Descendants of the Labour Corps joined the observance, which included floral tributes and reflections on the courage and discipline of the Garo men.
