Cable car to Tura peak to be set up ; P A Sangma Memorial Park by next year
TURA: Rich floral tributes were paid to one of Garo Hills’ most famous political stalwarts- Late Purno Agitok Sangma on his 72nd birth anniversary with a memorial lecture organised jointly by the P A Sangma foundation and North Eastern Hill University here at the district auditorium on Monday afternoon before a packed audience that included literary luminaries and young minds from colleges across Tura.
Speaking at the memorial event for his late father, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma recalled with fondness the time spent in his company and the innumerable ideas and advice given to him and other family members for the development of Garo Hills and the north east.
“We would sit together and our father would tell us stories and always put across ideas. He even jotted an entire manual for me to work upon. There were so many ideas given that many a times we did not take everything seriously. During those special moments he showed us a vision of the progress he wanted for all of us,” said Conrad Sangma.
Widow of Late Mr Sangma, Mrs Soradini K Sangma, daughter and Tura MP Agatha K Sangma along with elder son and home minister James Pangsang K Sangma attended the memorial lecture in the presence of the Vice Chancellor of NEHU Prof. S. Srivastava and former Sikkim MP P D Rai.
During the memorial lecture, the chief minister also announced a slew of projects for Tura including a Cable Car to Tura Peak, a memorial park and a statue of P A Sangma at Tura by next year and sanctioning of funds to repair the damaged Tura district auditorium.
One of Late P A Sangma’s dreams was for the establishment of a tribal research institute which has now turned into reality with the recent establishment of the first ever Tribal Research Institute by his son and Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
“The Tribal Research Institute will be one of the best in the country. It was the dream of P A Sangma to have a Tribal Research Institute that will ultimately transform into a Tribal University where research will be undertaken not just about tribal culture but as well as on the flora and fauna and environmental aspects on tribal life,” expressed a confident Conrad Sangma.
The Rs 48 Crore Tribal Research Institute is being set up at Chidekgre village of Babadam under Rongram Development Block. The Songsarek tribals from the area are renowned for upholding the ancient traditional tribal way of life and hosting the famous Wangala celebrations.
Highlighting the importance of tourism as one of the most sustainable means of livelihood for the people and protection of the environment, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma revealed that it was one of the core concerns for Late P A Sangma.
He announced that besides Shillong and Umiam (Barapani) cable car facility would be established for the picturesque Tura Peak region.
“Our late father always said that for any growth in tourism, infrastructure is a must. It was his desire to see the establishment of a cable car to ferry tourists to the Tura peak. This dream of P A sangma is also turning into reality as the survey work for the cable car and a discussion with the World Bank has already begun,” announced Chief Minister Conrad Sangma amid applause from the gathered audience.
| A Biography on P A Sangma is scheduled to be released in the coming months, besides a pecial park in Tura along with a statue of Late P A Sangma is also scheduled to be opened to the public by 2020.
Having witnessed firsthand during the 3rd P A Sangma Memorial Lecture, the plight of the Tura district auditorium which has been neglected and in dire need of repairs, the chief minister has announced a special package of Rs. 3.5 Crore to restore it to its past glory.
|