URA: The Garo Labour Corps Day was observed with solemnity here at the Cenotaph at Babupara near here. July 16 is observed every year since 1919 with great enthusiasm and pride as Garo Labour Corps Day.
It is a day to commemorate the selfless services of the Garos during the First World War even in the capacity of labourers, thus rising to the occasion to defend their land and people during emergencies like war. The recruits from Garo Hills were in France for two years serving hard as labourers from dawn to dusk braving the bitter cold months.
The Garo labour corps returned home after the war and reached Tura on July 16, 1918 amidst great joy and jubilations.
However 58 men lost their lives in France to illness and disease. As a mark of respect to those men who lost their lives to the cause of freedom in service to their sovereign and the memory of their noble works a Cenotaph is erected in Tura at Babupara with the names of those who died etched on it.
GHADC Chairman P K Sangma who arrived as the Chief Guest on the occasion said that the day is a day of rejoicing, remembering, to introspect and retrospect. He felt the need of familiarizing the youth of today with the heroic deeds of Garo forefathers.
He said that the greatest sacrifice a man can make is to lay down his life for others. Guest of Honor, L Ch Momin, Local MDC, Tura in his speech said that the best tribute one can offer to these brave souls is to imbibe their qualities of sacrifice, obedience, selflessness and sincerity.
Among others who spoke at the function were Tura Municipal Board Chairman D N Sangma, Senior Citizen L K Marak and Tura Municipal Board CEO Z J Sangma. The function was attended by various departmental officers, members of NGOs and students from schools and colleges.