TURA: Amidst the clamour for the implementation of ILP and statehood for Garo Hills, which has resulted in a flaring of tempers and untoward incidents, residents young and old pushed aside their worries and decided to run for peace, something of a rare commodity in this part of the region in recent times.
As part of a State Bank of India initiative, coinciding with the birth anniversary of MK Gandhi, hundreds of sports enthusiasts came together to participate in a Peace Marathon organised by SBI from Tura Chandmari field all the way to the MP Stadium in Dakopgre, seven kilometres away.
With placards carrying maxims both flamboyant and profound ranging from Gandhi to the French existentialist Albert Camus, the event, graced by Meghalaya Home Minister Roshan Warjri, was a sight to watch.
By the time Warjri flagged off the race from Chandmari field, the streets along the route were already brimming with people eagerly cheering on the participants even as the marching band parties from the Salesians Bosco Mount and the BSF belted out one musical number after another to encourage the runners.
The race, by far the biggest sports event to take place in Tura in recent years, witnessed mass participation from the youth. The 2km race for juniors, from Chandmari field to Axis bank in Hawakhana, saw hundreds take part.
Immensely delighted by the large turnout, the Home Minister said, “Today we are seeing the people of Tura and Garo Hills, expressing and declaring for peace. Without peace development and progress will naturally be hampered.
“We all ought to pitch ourselves to the path of peace, to the path of non-violence and shun away from the path of violence,” added Warjri.
“As many as 7,500 individuals applied for the forms and we handed over 5,000 number placards for participants to pin to the front of their shirts during the race,” informed an official from the SBI Regional Branch in Tura.
Warjri along with North Tura MLA and parliamentary secretary Novorfield R Marak expressed their gratitude and appreciation to SBI for the efforts made to get the public up and running on Gandhi Jayanti.
“This participation will go a long way in spreading peace and its effects will resonate beyond Garo Hills and Meghalaya,” said MLA Novorfield R Marak.
Mahendraganj MLA Dikkanchi D Shira also arrived at the stadium to give encouragement to the participants during the marathon.
The Salmanpara MLA and parliamentary secretary Winnerson Sangma also took part in the official programme.
Results:
Para Military & Police – 1st Naresh Kumar, 132 Bn BSF, Danakgre; 2nd Harpreet Singh, 132 Bn BSF, danakgre. 2km Women (Junior) – 1st Eslirikme Ch Marak; 2nd Prenima A Sangma. 2km Men (Junior) – 1st Roshan M Momin, Dakopgre; 2nd Chinovem G Momin, Hawakhana. 7km (41 & above- Women) – 1st Elibina Ch Momin, Dakopgre; 2nd Kridina D Arengh, Rongkhon Songgital. 7km (41 & above- Men) – 1st Bickiram J Sangma, Chitoktak; 2nd Frederick M Momin, Tura Bazaar. 7km (18 to 40- Women) – 1st Jekmilla D Sangma, Ampati; 2nd Rosina Ch Momin, Cherangre. 7km (18 to 40- Men) – 1st Clever G Momin, Hawakhana; 2nd Harberth Ch Momin, Rongkhon Songgital.
