Shillong(Meghalaya), Feb 3: Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, today, attended the 54th Annual Conference of the Meghalaya Koch Association held at Jatrakhona in South Garo Hills.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, lauded the efforts of the leaders and members of the Meghalaya Koch Association who for the last 54 years have been organising the conference. “This is a reflection of your love and commitment for your community,” he said and encouraged this be carried forward as the conference besides being central to protecting the Koch identity will provide an irrefutable connection to the past social values, beliefs, customs and traditions that will deepen the sense of unity, belonging and national pride.
The Chief Minister also said that the conference besides showcasing the past of the Koch community will also encourage cross-cultural education to foster understanding and appreciation of different cultures of the State. He further assured support of the government to establish cultural centres to conserve and develop values.
Welcoming the suggestion of the Meghalaya Koch Association to promote indigenous languages like Koch, Hajong etc in schools instead of Assamese and Bengali languages the Chief Minister said, “Even the New Education Policy accords due importance to the recognition and promotion of local languages, keeping in view India’s rich linguistic traditions,” he said and assured the Koch Association of help so that the matter will reach to its logical conclusion.
Also present were MLA, Salmanpara, Ian Botham K Sangma, MLA, Baghmara, Kartush R Marak, MLA, Chokpot, Sengchim N Sangma besides MDCs from the area.
