SHILLONG: Purno A Sangma, who represented the Tura Lok Sabha seat for ten terms and his daughter Agatha Sangma and son Conrad Sangma for some years, had almost eclipsed the first MP from Tura, Karnesh Marak.
In the first election held on March 9, 1972 after the formation of Meghalaya, Marak from the APHLC defeated Independent candidate Bronson Momin.
While Marak polled 38,211 votes, the number of votes secured by Momin was 16,189.
Marak’s youngest son and former RBI official Beryl B Sangma recalled his father’s contribution though his tenure was just five years.
Beryl told The Shillong Times that his late father spoke in Parliament on the need for a Central University in Shillong which eventually paved the way for NEHU.
He had also worked hard to get a medical college and hospital and technical colleges to be set up by the Centre in Meghalaya.
Born on July 17, 1902 at Nokmakundi near Damra in North Garo Hills, Karnesh completed his primary education at Nishangram village.
Later at Middle English School in Tura, he passed the Middle School Scholarship Examination in First Division and was awarded a scholarship.
He joined the Shillong Government High School where he became popular for excelling in studies as well as for his football skills.
Karnesh passed the matriculation examination in First Division and went on to complete his college education from Cotton College, Guwahati, becoming the first graduate from the Garo community along with Wilson K Marak.
He returned and worked as headmaster in a number of schools.
Stint in British army
Beryl said his father was also conscripted to help the British army against the Germans during the Second World War.
“His discipline, diligence, courage and leadership qualities soon saw him rising up the ranks to the post of Lieutenant”, Beryl said.
On return, he joined government service as a Project Executive Officer and finally retired as Deputy Inspector of Schools.
According to Beryl, after retirement, because of his leadership qualities, Karnesh was asked to join the Garo National Council. He successfully contested the council polls from Dalu constituency and was given
the responsibility of Executive Member of the GHADC in charge of Finance, Revenue, Education, and others.
Beryl said at that time, the first chief minister of Meghalaya, Capt. Williamson A Sangma, was the Chief Executive Member of GHADC.
Fight for statehood
“Both of them were in the forefront during the fight for statehood for Meghalaya. When statehood was granted to Meghalaya, he was the unanimous choice to stand for the Lok Sabha election. He did so and was elected as the first Member of Parliament from Garo Hills. It was Capt. W. A. Sangma who proposed, ‘We need a great leader with oratorial skills and courage, to represent us in the Parliament, in front of leaders from all the parts of the country’ “, Beryl said.
Karnesh, during his tenure in the Parliament, took active part in various debates and delivered powerful speeches in the Lok Sabha besides trying to bring in private member’s bills.
“That period also saw him suffer two heart attacks because of which the family did not allow him to contest elections anymore. The remaining years were spent in active social service as well as diligent work for the local Church”, his son said.
In 1983, Karnesh accidentally fell down in the bathroom and suffered internal injuries. He was hospitalized but passed away on May 8 that year.
His only sibling, a sister, Sumoni R. Marak, died quite young, during the delivery of her first child.
Writer and footballer
Karnesh was a prolific writer too and one of his books was used as a textbook for the Bachelor of Arts course in Garo literature.
During his younger days, he used to play football frequently in different parts of Garo Hills and even in Bangladesh. His wife, H B Sangma, was also in government service and retired as the Deputy Director of Information and Public Relations.
Karnesh’s eldest daughter was a Member of the Meghalaya Public Service Commission while the second daughter retired from government service as Director of Health Services. The third child, a son, is an entrepreneur and is engaged in a number of business activities.
Beryl, the fourth child of Karnesh, said he joined Reserve Bank of India and was posted in various cities all over the country.
Beryl was also sent on deputation to the Central Bureau of Investigation and represented India at Interpol, Lyons, France. He was posted as the Banking Ombudsman for the seven states of the Northeastern region. His last posting was as Director of the Indian Institute of Bank Management. After retirement, he dedicated himself to use his knowledge, experience and expertise for the betterment of society and its economic uplift.
Beryl recently joined the Congress and supported the party’s Tura candidate, Mukul Sangma.
