Maintain status quo on Job Reservation: NGOs tell govt

TURA: The A’chik Literature Society (ALS) along with the Garo Garduates’ Union, Senior Citizens’ Forum and Mothers’ Union urged the State Government to maintain status quo on the reservation of seats for higher and technical education for major tribes of the state.
The resolution to demand for the same was taken during the Annual General Conference of the ALS held recently at the Christian Girls’ Higher Secondary School in Tura.
Referring to the statement made by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on job reservation for higher studies, during question hour of the assembly session on April 6, the ALS along with the other social bodies drew attention to the notification of June 6, 2013 (Notification No. EDN 69/2010/68) and urged the government to maintain its status quo.
Other resolutions taken on the occasion were to demand for the early construction of the Tura Medical College and the Governor’s House at Tura.
The members also while appreciating the resolution passed in the Assembly on September 27 this year that Khasi and Garo be included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution, demanded that work towards the realisation be expedited.
Earlier, 14 scholars who obtained PhD were felicitated by Prof Milton S Sangma of whom included Dr Rosa Mary A Sangma, Dr Amanda Aski Macdonald Momin, Dr Dorothy R Marak, Dr Earlitha M Sangma, Dr Gino A Sangma, Dr Lidya Ch Momin, Dr Titthu Ch Momin, Dr Blizzard R Marak, Dr Balkho R Marak, Dr Meena A Sangma, Dr Sequine R Marak, Dr Tanya R Marak, Dr Jena G Momin and Dr Nazina Changme W Momin.
The 14 fresh PhD holders were urged by the Chief Guest of the programme, Mirthnarch K Marak (MCS) to set a target for themselves in contributing writings in ‘A’”chikku’.
He advised that the MBOSE textbooks in Garo should be examined not only for language, but also for depth and ethical content.
The chief guest also conferred the A·chik Literature Society Literary Award for 2017 was on Prabodh M Sangma for his overall contribution to A·chik Literature, writing novels, volumes of poetry, drama, besides books on philosophy history and poetry in English.
Three Booklets by Prof Milton S Sangma, entitled Gipin A·songrangni Katta Me·aparang Bak- I, Bak-II and Bak-III were also released by Marak. The booklets are translated proverbs and maxims from other languages into A·chik.
Senior Citizens Forum, president, Winstone G Momin who also spoke on the occasion, raised concern on the illegal felling of trees, illegal quarries as well as highlighted the need to strongly pursue the demand for inclusion of the Garo Language in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.