By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on Friday paid rich tributes to 17 stalwarts of the country including political leaders who passed away in the past six months including former Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Vasant Sathe, and Bhupen Hazarika.
Participating in the obituary reference on the first day of the Budget session, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma said that the demise of these great leaders was a great loss for the nation.
Dr Sangma termed Hazarika as a stalwart and mentioned that his demise was a great loss to the nation.
On the demise of Sathe, the Chief Minister stated that the country had lost a great leader who had made enormous contribution as a Minister in the Union Cabinet.
Deputy Chief Minister Bindo M Lanong recalled his meeting with Hazarika when he was first elected as an MDC in 1972.
“Many may not know that Hazarika had a close bonding with Shillong. He had used the folk story of Manik Raitong in an Assamese movie Pratitdhwan,” Lanong said.
While remembering Sathe, he said that this great political leader had great love for the tribal people.
Lanong also recalled that Sathe, during his tenure as Union Minister for Mining, had sent an official communiqué to the then Chief Minister of Meghalaya, (late) Capt WA Sangma, wherein he had stated that the traditional form of mining practiced in the State should not be disturbed.
“He (Sathe) had written this letter at the time when there was opposition to centralization of mining. This indicates how much the man cared about the tribal people,” the Deputy Chief Minister said.
Opposition leader Conrad K Sangma also offered his condolences to the bereaved family members of all the leaders who had left for their heavenly abode.
Independent legislator Manas Chaudhuri also recalled Hazarika’s contribution particularly in the field of music and termed the late balladeer as North East’s gift to the entertainment world.
“He was not a plain singer, but also a composer with so much love for Meghalaya and Shillong in particular,” Chaudhuri said while recalling the songs Monalisa Lyngdoh and Lieng Makaw.
The House also observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect for the departed souls.