Tura, Sep 25: Marking the 154th year of existence of Garo Hills region, Garo Hills Day was on Sunday, September 24, celebrated at the District Auditorium in Tura.
The occasion was attended by Church leaders, youths and NGO leaders.
Speaking on the occasion, Tura BJP MDC Bernard N Marak said that it was on September 24 in 1869 that the British carved out the map of Garo Hills and reserved it for indigenous Garos. He added that Garo Hills came into being not because of any political leader but because of Garo forefathers who fought for the land.
Speaking about the Sixth Schedule, Bernard said that it was given to the Hill tribals only after the country achieved independence to safeguard and preserve their rights, customs and traditions. He however said that the A’chik way of life, its language and other customs and traditions were disappearing. He urged the gathering to work towards preserving Garo culture, cautioning that failure to do so would lead to the disappearance of the tribe itself.
The Tura MDC also informed that the occasion which has been observed since the last five years was started in view of the fact that many people continue to be ignorant about the origin of Garo Hills.
