Shillong: Governor V. Shanmuganathan has given several suggestions to the Central Puja Committee (CPC) to make the festival in the northeastern state inclusive and more harmonious.

Addressing the CPC’s ‘get together of harmony’ organized by Pragati Sangha Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee at Keating Road here on Tuesday, the Governor said various puja committees in the State should provide employment to a youth each from their respective localities by October next year.

“The youths can be employed as plumbers, electricians and drivers, among others. When we celebrate Durga Puja, this is also the time to remember the sufferings of the youths,” the Governor added.

Shanmuganathan said each puja committee can also adopt a single mother, who is facing hardships in bringing up her children, as there are instances of husbands deserting their wives.

He further said CPC should render its help in reducing infant and maternal mortality rates in the State.

Stating that a feeling of unity is spread through the initiative of the Central Puja Committee, Shanmuganathan said Tuesday’s programme sends the message of equality as there is no superior or inferior. “As law abiding citizens, in the coming days of celebrations, we should be able to embrace everyone and there should not be any difference or distinction,” he added.

However, the Governor deplored that while Shillong has many politicians, intellectuals, businessmen and traders of repute, it does not have a saint of its own. “Can we have a saint in Shillong and will Central Puja Committee be a catalyst in this regard,” the Governor asked the gathering.

Earlier, addressing the gathering, Chief Justice of Meghalaya Dinesh Maheshwari said a symphony of harmony is witnessed through the assembly of leaders representing all sections of people.

“Meghalaya is a different state and true unity in diversity is visible here,” the Chief Justice said while adding that this is his impression of the state during his stay here for the past seven months.

According to Maheshwari, the very fundamentals of the Constitution is visible and mostly “the liberty of faith is in motion here”.
Earlier, an all-faith prayer marked the “get together of harmony” attended by various religious heads.

Members of the women’s wing of the CPC and “Shillong media and friends” performed songs on the occasion. A performance by the cultural troupe of Pragati Sangha Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee was an added attraction.

The gathering also remembered Mother Teresa for her sainthood and Sister Nivedita on her 150th birth anniversary. The CPC also paid tributes to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country.

Among others who spoke on the occasion were CPC president Naba Bhattacharjee, its general secretary J.L Das and working president Ramsevak Singh, besides J Malakar, president, Pragati Sangha Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee.

While Ram Gopal Agarwal was presented the Sarad Samman award on the occasion, other recipients, Toki Blah and Manbendra Bhattacharjee were not present.

The founder member of Pragati Sangha Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee, S.C Nag, was also felicitated on the occasion.

(Source: Shillong Times)