TURA: Foundation for the first ever Tribal Research Institute in Meghalaya was laid at Babadam Chidekgre village, 28 kms from Tura on Tuesday.
Adviser to the chief minister and North Tura MLA Thomas A Sangma on behalf of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma laid the foundation for the institute. Addressing the gathering, Thomas said that it is a proud moment for both Garo Hills and Meghalaya to have a first of it’s kind tribal research institute.
“This was the dream of Late P A Sangma who wanted to see the establishment of a institute that would not only protect and preserve but also promote our traditional ways of life,” said Thomas Sangma terming it a red letter day for Garo culture preservation and promotion.
Expressing the government’s gratitude to the Nokma of the village and the donor of the land where the institute is coming up, Thomas Sangma said that besides a traditional museum the institute will have separate hostels for boys and girls who will be given an opportunity to learn the ways of the traditional tribal life.
The construction of the Tribal Research Institute began with the GHADC earmarking approximately four crores of rupees to start the project and last week the central government through the Ministry of Tribal Affairs sanctioned a sum of Rs 41 crores to the Meghalaya Government for it’s implementation.
“People from outside our region will come to learn the ways of the Garos and this will further preserve and promote our indigenous way of life,” said Thomas Sangma.
