Correspondent
Tura, Sep 1 ( NPN): Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Tuesday launched the “Tracing the Roots” programme, which is rooted in the vision of his late father and former Lok Sabha Speaker, Purno Agitok Sangma.The towering Garo leader always believed that the history, migration, culture, and identity of the Garo people must be scientifically researched and documented.
Launching the programme at the Tura district auditorium in West Garo Hills, in the presence of Arts and Culture Minister Sanbor Shullai and NPP legislator, Dr. Mehtab Chandee Agitok Sangma, the Chief Minister said, the project is a vision and motivation that was initiated by Late Purno Agitok Sangma.
He dedicated the research project for the people and termed that it was launched on the 79th birth anniversary of Late Purno Sangma to pay a befitting tribute to him.
The Chief Minister recalled that in one of his personal conversations, Sangma had expressed concern over the lack of proper scientific documentation regarding the roots, history, migration, and culture of the people of Meghalaya, especially the Garo tribal people
“It was one of those normal conversations between a father and son. But looking back, every conversation had a strong message. It was like a classroom for me, a roadmap for life and for the State,” he stated.
“Keeping this in mind, about two years back, I decided we must start a programme to study all aspects of our culture and history and scientifically bring out evidence on the actual identity of our people. A small note I prepared one-and-a-half years ago, which I shared with the Principal Secretary, the Minister and some research scholars, has today taken shape as this programme,” Conrad said.
The Chief Minister informed that the initiative is not merely academic, but rooted in identity, heritage and collective memory.
Through a multidisciplinary approach, it will bring together historical research, oral traditions, indigenous knowledge, linguistics, archaeology and archival study.
Under the programme, 75 scholars will travel to Vietnam, Cambodia and Tibet to study the origins and historical journeys of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo people.
The Khasi-Jaintia team will undertake a study titled “Ki Dienjat: Re-examining Khasi-Jaintia Socio-cultural Linkages with Southeast Asia,” while the Garo component will examine theories concerning origins and historical movement, including the Tibet or northern highlands hypothesis. To make research accessible, the Chief Minister has also launched dedicated e-Portal as a central platform for information, research data and collaboration, which will lead to digital archives, scholarly publications and educational resources for future generations.
“Tracing the Roots is more than a research project. It is a journey of rediscovery, undertaken so that we may reconnect with our past, understand our present and shape our future with greater confidence”, he added.
Stressing that “our forefathers have always taught us to care for others, to be respectful, and to live in peace and harmony,” the Chief Minister urged the people to look back and remember the teachings of their ancestors.
He also stated that the ongoing research will be an important milestone for generations to remember for the people and the country.