Second cenotaph of Garo Labour Corps’ to have left-out names

advertisement

Shillong, Apr 24: Two locations have been proposed by a government-constituted committee for a second cenotaph for Garo Labour Corps of World War I, where names of persons left out in the first cenotaph in Tura will be incorporated.

While the present cenotaph was installed at Babupara, the committee on preservation of Garo culture and heritage has suggested the second cenotaph may be built either at old circuit house or old Public School at Babupara.

Informing this on Thursday, cabinet minister Marcuise N Marak said the decision to install the second cenotaph was taken at a meeting of the committee on April 15.

The committee was constituted after civil society organisations strongly opposed demolition of the cenotaph at Tura.

advertisement

He said society leaders and stakeholders had suggested the cenotaph to be rebuilt at the same site without shifting the location.

The Cenotaph, a landmark of Tura, was built in honour of hundreds of Garos who sacrificed their lives during World War I and the few who returned alive in 1918.

During World War I, around 500 Garo men were recruited by the British government in India and sent to war frontlines in France. Their job was to bring in supplies, construct roads and transport much needed supplies to the Allied Forces battling the Germans at the frontlines.

Of the 500 men, 456 reached France, at the beginning of the cold and bitter winter of the same year. When the war ended on May 25, 1918, they were sent to Marseilles port in France for repatriation to India. They landed in Tura on July 16, 1918, but of the 456 who reached France, only 120 returned home alive.

Asked, Marak said the committee has been tasked with the responsibility to look into the preservation of the Garo cultural heritage.

“As requested by the civil society leaders, there will be no commercial structure coming up at the location,” he said.

He informed that the second sitting of the committee will be held on April 30.

“We have already entrusted one architect to come up with the design so that we can see the presentation and if the committee finds it is okay, we can submit it to the government for consideration,” Marak added.

advertisement

Hot this week

Pay hike of Assam ministers, MLAs likely as 3-member panel submits report

Full report likely by Oct 30 Guwahati Sept 25: There...

Meghalaya Biological Park Inaugurated After 25 Years: A New Chapter in Conservation and Education

Shillong, Nov 28: Though it took nearly 25 years...

Meghalaya man missing in Bangkok

Shillong, Jan 10: A 57-year-old Meghalaya resident, Mr. Treactchell...

ANSAM rejects Kuki’s separate administration demand, says bifurcation not acceptable

Guwahati, Sept 8: Rejecting the separate administration demand of...

Meghalaya’s historic fiber paves the way for eco-friendly products and sustainable livelihoods

By Roopak Goswami Shillong, Oct 25: From making earbuds to...

Garukhuti project faces political heat, PVM alleges land and cattle misuse

Guwahati, June 29: The Prabajan Virodhi Manch (PVM), an...

At least 37 people killed in bus collision in remote part of Tanzania

Dar Es Salam (Tanzania), June 29: Dozens of people...

Why India should be wary of strategic drift in Bangladesh’s power corridors?

By Dipak Kurmi The recent trilateral dialogue held in Kunming,...

From Code to Cosmos: Shubhanshu Shukla’s Journey

By Satyabrat Borah Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey from computer science to...

Bengal: Three family members killed in Asansol house fire

Kolkata, June 29: Three members of a family were...

NTPC’s Bongaigaon plant awarded for healthcare promotion, environment protection

Guwahati, June 29: State-run power major NTPC Limited's Bongaigaon...

Diksha Dagar in top 10 after three rounds in German Masters

Hamburg (Germany), June 29: Diksha Dagar held onto her...

India has set USD 1 bn turmeric export target by 2030: Union Minister Amit Shah

Hyderabad, June 29: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img