Shillong(Meghalaya), March 6 : Arts and Culture minister, Paul Lyngdoh today laid the foundation stone of the Tagore Cultural Complex at Rilbong, here in the presence of Sanbor Shullai MLA cum Chairman MTDC, F. R Kharkongor, Commissioner & Secretary, Arts and Culture Department, F. M Dopth, Secretary Arts and Culture Department, D. D Shira, Director, Arts and Culture Department, and others.
Addressing the gathering, Lyngdoh said today marks the first anniversary of MDA II government and this cultural complex is a birthday gift in a way to the people of the state.
He also said Shillong is not just a name, a city or an address but it is a hub of culture and it is also an icon of civilization. He invoked the historical ties of Shillong with eminent Bengali figures like Gurudev Tagore and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Reflecting on the recent unveiling of the Tirot Singh bust and library in Dhaka, Lyngdoh expressed the government’s aspiration for reciprocity, materializing in the form of the Tagore Cultural Centre. Inspired by the very place where Tagore penned some of his most renowned works, this centre aims to become a global cultural, connecting Shillong, Dhaka, and West Bengal.
Lyngdoh expressed pride in Shillong’s artistic contributions, despite its modest size, acknowledging the birth of numerous classics in arts, music, poetry, and literature. The government’s vision for the cultural complex is expansive, envisioning it not only as a haven for local Tagore enthusiasts but also as a platform for global cultural exchanges between Shillong, Dhaka, and West Bengal.
Quoting Gurudev’s philosophy, Lyngdoh underscored the imperative of transcending ethnic identities to become global visionaries. Urging community support, he called on everyone to spread the news that Shillong has enriched its cultural landscape with the establishment of the Tagore Cultural Complex. Notably, the complex boasts a unique feature—an intimate space once utilized by Tagore, including a bed where the literary giant once rested.
In conclusion, Lyngdoh appealed for proactive backing to rejuvenate Shillong as a vibrant centre of art and culture, exemplified by initiatives like the Tagore Cultural Complex.
