Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 463/14

100 DRUMS WANGALA FESTIVAL CONCLUDES

TURA, November, 8, 2014: Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma has asked the Art and Culture Department to work out the modalities to recreate and dedicate Asanang, 18 kms away from Tura, as a heritage site and cultural destination, even as, the 37th Wangala Festival ended on a colorful note, here this evening.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion as the Chief Guest, the Chief Minister lauded the organizers for their endeavour to preserve the rich culture of the Garos for the last 37th years through this festival and admitted that there have not been enough government support in the past for cultural events. However, for the last three years the government has been actively supporting such cultural festivals in the state like Behdeinkhlam, Nongkrem and Wangala by earmarking dedicated funds as we can utilize such events not only to help showcase rich cultural heritage but also to help the people connect with the rest of the world.

It is also the endeavour of the government to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of every community by promoting such events as they actually benefit the local people or help to pass on the benefit to generations and that is why the government established district arts and cultural society in every district spearheaded by the respective Deputy Commissioners, the Chief Minister said. Dr. Sangma also handed over a cheque of Rs 20 Lakhs from the Tourism department to the President of the organizing committee, Mr. L. K. Marak.

Earlier, the Chief Minister accompanied by former Union Minister, Mr. V. Narayanaswamy, AICC Secretary i/c Meghalaya Smti. Vijayalakshmi Sadhu, former Chief Minister and Chief Advisor to the Government, Dr. D. D. Lapang, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Mr. Zenith M. Sangma and a host of other dignitaries were given a traditional welcome. They also visited the stalls put up at the district level industrial exhibition organized by the DCIC, Tura which coincides with the three day festival.

It may be mentioned that the 100 Drums Wangala is the post harvest festival of the Garos, consisting of various thanksgiving rituals followed with merrymaking, music and dance. The participation by NEZCC also added more color and grandeur to the festival this year.

In the afternoon, the Chief Minister along with Mr. V. Narayanaswamy and Smti. Vijayalakshmi Sadhu visited Chibinang in West Garo Hills district, one of the worst hit area of the recent floods to review the extent of damages. They were received at Chibinang by local MLA and speaker of the Meghalaya Assembly Mr. A. T. Mondal.