Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 1015/17

CHIEF MINISTER ATTENDS SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF CENTRAL PUJA COMMITTEE

: Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma today attended the Silver Jubilee Celebration, “Get-Together of Harmony” of Central Puja Committee (CPC) at Sri Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture Auditorium, Shillong hosted by Nepali Puja Committee, Lower Jail Road, Shillong. The programme was also attended by P P Chaudhary, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Law & Justice and Member of Parliament, Shillong, Vincent H Pala as the Guests of Honor.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma lauded the CPC for creating a platform for coming together of different faiths for peace and harmony in the state. “This is something unique, exclusive and something that can be replicated in other parts of the country,” he said. He also said that the state of Meghalaya has culminated from a peaceful statehood movement without a drop of blood being shed. “The irony is that the in spite of the manner in which the statehood had been achieved peace started eluding us and there is a need to collectively come together and restore the wonderful legacy of our forefathers where peace and harmony always prevailed,” he said. Dr Sangma however said that the situation in the state has changed in the last few years and it should be the collective endeavor of all to sustain this peace and preserve it further and also spread it beyond Meghalaya. The Chief Minister also reminded that as religious festivals are celebrated there is a need to remember that peace needs to prevail. The Chief Minister also released the Diamond Jubilee Puja Souvenir of Nepali Puja Committee during the occasion.

Dr Subrata Das, Founder President, CPC, Meghalaya in his speech informed that CPC was formed in the year 1992 for the smooth functioning and organization of Durga Puja and other religious festivals of the Hindu community. Since then CPC has been working with the government and administration for smooth celebration of Durga Puja and other festivals. He also said that CPC takes up programmes and activities to bridge the gap among different communities towards betterment of relations. Earlier, religious heads and representatives of different faiths shared their Message of peace. Minister, Information & Public Relations etc Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh, Legislators, Paul Lyngdoh, A L Hek, Sanbor Shullai, MDC , Adelbert Nongrum were also present.