SHILLONG: A book on the life of one of the political stalwarts of Meghalaya, Peter Garnette Marbaniang, was released here in the Legislative Assembly on Thursday.
The book titled ‘Peter Garnette Marbaniang — A life in service to the people’ was released by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma in the presence of family members of Marbaniang and state legislators.
The book has been authored by Andrew Simons, Commissioner and Secretary of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
Speaking on the occasion, Simons recalled that it was a challenge for him to write a book on the leader and he has mainly focused on his role as the speaker of the Legislative Assembly.
Former home minister and the son of Marbaniang, Robert Lyngdoh, said, “Our father’s voice still resounds in our ears.”
He recalled that his late father had taught him the principle of building bridges instead of building walls and he has tried to follow his principles by being accessible to all.
“As the representative, the moment you build a wall, you lose the sense for which you are elected,” Lyngdoh said.
The local MLA from East Shillong and Marbaniang’s daughter, Ampareen Lyngdoh, said like her, even the chief minister is the successor of a great leader.
She also said her father had little time for the family as he gave more time to the people of the state.
Marbaniang was a representative in the Lok Sabha from 1989 to 1996. He was also a member of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly between 1972 and 1983. He had also served as a minister in the state government from 1975 to 1983.
He was also re-elected to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly between 1988 and 1989, serving as the speaker.
