TURA: Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) Chief Executive Member (CEM), Boston Marak On Thursday inaugurated the Handicraft Exhibition organize by the District Commerce and Industries Centre, Tura and Gaj Yatra by Wildlife Trust of India at the venue of the 100 Drums Wangala Festival and Cultural Extravaganza at Asanang near Tura.
Speaking on the occasion, Boston Marak said that a person is identified and recognised by the culture and traditions of the society they belong to and it is the custom and practices that guide the people of the society to uphold the rich cultural traditions of our forefathers. It is culture through which people learn to live a better life in the society, he added.
Further, Boston Marak stated that culture is not static, hence, we should eliminate those practices which is detrimental to our society and change according to the change of time. He urged the people to preserve and protect the environment of the region which is also part of our culture as well as the good values of our forefathers. He also spoke about the importance of preserving the age old traditions of the traditional heads like Nokma, Sordar, etc. in our society.
It may be mentioned that Gaj Yatra is a journey aimed at celebrating elephants and evoking social and political will to conserve India’s National Heritage Animal in partnership with the Ministry of environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
The Yatra is going to be a road show imbibing local art and culture, travelling through 12 states (4000 villages) which have population of wild elephants. The Yatra will reach Delhi in August 2018 after travelling over 11,000 KM across the country and envisons celebrating the National Heritage Animal with the Prime Minister of India on Independence Day with 101 specially curated eco-friendly elephant art pieces representing the 101 corridors to be secured for the Right of Passage of elephants by the Ele League.
During the program, the Chief Guest distributed prizes to the winners of the indigenous games held yesterday. In Wapong Sika Jesse Sangma and Bilsam M Momin won the first and the second prizes respectively. In Rongma Chilsusaa Women Category, Marsha Sangma and Tengkime Sangma from Ganolgre won the first and second prizes respectively. The winner of the Tug of War is Rognkhon Sports Association while the Runners Up is Goeragre Club.
Chairperson, GHADC, Sadhiarani M Sangma, Deputy CEM, GHADC, Winnison Marak, Executive Member, Land and Revenue, GHADC Jinberth Marak, Chairman, Planning Commission, GHADC, Stevie Marak and other dignitaries were present at the festival.