Williamnagar, September 01 : The town of Williamnagar turned into a vibrant hub of celebration as more than 500 delegates from across Meghalaya and the Northeast, along with participants from other parts of India, came together to honour the 78th Birth Anniversary of Late P.A. Sangma and the 13th Foundation Day of the National People’s Party (NPP). The day-long event, held at the Rongrenggre playground, highlighted the spirit of unity among diverse tribes and paid rich tribute to the legacy of the revered leader.
The celebrations began with a spirited singing competition, setting the tone for the day. A coffee table book chronicling P.A. Sangma’s life and contributions was released, and the P.A. Sangma Photo Gallery was inaugurated to showcase his journey and achievements.
The formal programme commenced at 1 p.m. with a rendition of Oh Ang Aman Asong — composed by Beston Momin and recreated by the popular band Nokpante — which has been adopted as the anthem of the NPP in Garo Hills.
Soradini K. Sangma, wife of the late leader, paid floral tributes, joined by NPP president and Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and other dignitaries. Cabinet Minister Marcuise N. Marak welcomed the attendees with an inaugural address.
During the event, over 300 new members from various political parties were formally inducted into the NPP. Several prominent figures, including Sonelal Kol, N.K. Gauri, and Breston Momin, close associates of the late leader, were also felicitated for their contributions to the party’s foundation.
Athletes from East Garo Hills received the prestigious P.A. Sangma Achievers’ Award in recognition of their sporting excellence. Soradini K. Sangma was honoured for her steadfast support and dedication to the late leader’s vision.
The celebration witnessed stirring speeches from senior leaders:
- Thangwang Wangham, State President of Arunachal Pradesh NPP, remembered his close bond with P.A. Sangma and hailed him as the “true leader of the Northeast.” He urged the youth to carry forward Sangma’s mission.
- Rajya Sabha MP W.R. Kharluki reflected on working alongside Sangma, emphasizing his deep concern for people’s welfare and commitment to security personnel.
- Deputy Chief Minister Snaiwbhalang Dhar expressed regret at not working directly with Sangma but praised his far-sighted vision and enduring influence on Meghalaya’s development.
- Speaker Thomas A. Sangma highlighted Sangma’s lifelong dedication to the upliftment of tribal, indigenous, and marginalized communities, noting his impact across the entire Northeast.
In an emotional address, Chief Minister and NPP National President Conrad K. Sangma shared personal memories of accompanying his father in the party’s early days in Manipur. He recounted how only two people attended their first meeting, but P.A. Sangma’s unwavering optimism and belief in the youth transformed that modest start into the thriving NPP movement seen today. “My father was a man undeterred by challenges and full of positivity. His name, Purno, means ‘complete,’ and indeed he lived a complete and meaningful life,” Conrad said.
