By Our Reporter
TURA, Sep 25: Marking the 154th year of existence of the region, Garo Hills Day was celebrated in Tura on Sunday. The occasion was attended by church leaders, youths and leaders of NGOs.
Tura BJP MDC Bernard N Marak imparted that it was on September 24 in 1869 that the British carved out the map of Garo Hills and reserved it for indigenous Garos.
Garo Hills came into being not because of any political leader but because of the Garo forefathers who fought for the land, he added.
Speaking about the Sixth Schedule, he said that it was given to the hill tribals only after the country achieved independence to safeguard and preserve their rights, customs and traditions.
However, the MDC felt that the A’chik way of life, its language and other customs and traditions were disappearing.
Urging the gathering to work towards preserving Garo culture, he cautioned that failure to do so would lead to the disappearance of the tribe itself
He 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.
