TURA: Tura MP Conrad K. Sangma urged the students of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) to follow the ideals of Purno Agitok Sangma to achieve the late leader’s dream of a progressive nation.
“Late Purno Sangma had the courage to face all kinds of challenges. He followed the principle of humility and had a clear conscience. The younger generation should learn to be humble in their conduct to achieve whatever they want in their lives,” said Sangma, who was speaking at the first memorial lecture on Purno Agitok Sangma at NEHU, Tura campus.
He enlightened the students on Purno Sangma’s vision, who had always pitched for strengthening of the North Eastern Council as a regional policy maker.
“Purno Sangma wanted that an organisation in the North East should formulate policies for its own people as there were several opportunities in the region, which needed attention from its own people. He (late Sangma) had a vision for a separate mini Parliament in the North East and recommended multiple parliamentary system in the country,” said Sangma.
The NPP president also urged the Vice Chancellor of NEHU, SK Srivastava, and pro-vice chancellor G. Singaiah to introduce more departments and courses in Tura to maintain a balance between Shillong and Tura campuses and “students of not just Garo hills but the entire North East are benefitted”.
Udayon Mishra, retired professor of Dibrugarh University who currently teaches at NEHU-Tura, said Purno Sangma had been able to push North East amongst the Indian states overcoming challenges of pluralism.
In his talk on North East Experience, Mishra said, “In 1964, the Government of India signed a ceasefire agreement with NSCN, which looked more like an agreement between two countries. It signified that the government is in a position to initiate a dialogue after several rounds of talks. It is a sign of maturity of Indian democracy.”
Dadenggre MLA James K. Sangma and former Rajya Sabha MP Thomas A. Sangma were present among other dignitaries.
