TURA, June 13: Tura District Auditorium was established around 30 years ago to be the one stop venue for holding of all cultural, government and musical programmes for the citizens of Garo Hills and Tura, but over the years, no government took any hard concrete steps to conduct lasting repairs as a result of which the building was crumbling and deemed unsafe for holding of programmes for the last two years.
Today, Tura district auditorium has been given a fresh lease of life and a new and vibrant look with close to Rs 5 Crores spent to install a fully air conditioned venue with a hi tech lighting and control room, a sound system, generator, sophisticated seats, dressing rooms and toilets.
The District Auditorium in Tura has a very emotional connect with the people of Tura & I’m overjoyed to inaugurate the renovated & upgraded Auditorium that was previously inaugurated by my Father (L) Sh. P A Sangma in the 1980s.@MundaArjun pic.twitter.com/O6Gc9Ke73F
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) June 13, 2022
Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma opened the doors of this newly renovated venue to the people of Tura and Garo Hills with a special inauguration today in the presence of Member of Parliament, Tura Parliamentary Constituency, Agatha K Sangma, Adviser to the Chief Minister and MLA North Tura, Thomas A Sangma, Chief Executive Member, GHADC, Tura Albinush R Marak and host of distinguished dignitaries.
Conrad also unveiled the plaque for Laying of Foundation Stone for Construction including Improvement of Tura Town Internal Roads funded by New Development Bank (NDB) on the occasion.
Laid foundation for the construction & improvement of Tura Town internal roads funded by @NDB_int. The upgradation of our internal roads will complement our initiatives to beautify Tura Town.@PMOIndia @nitin_gadkari pic.twitter.com/Cc5pbGZT3h
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) June 13, 2022
The Tura district Auditorium was set up when Late P A Sangma was the Union Minister for Labour towards the beginning of the 1990s. It was the only venue for government functions, beauty pageants, fashion shows, musical concerts and other celebrations. With time it lost its shine in the face of funds crunch and lack of initiative to turn it around.
“When our Government came to power in 2018, we sanctioned Rs 3 Crores in the beginning and additional Rs 2 crores later for completing the renovating works. This auditorium has many fond memories and even our former band Saga also performed here during our prime days,” recalls the chief minister.
Speaking on the significance of duty and responsibility, the chief minister told the gathering that each one should take responsibility towards looking after government property which helps one to create a sense of ownership of the assets of government, something the Japanese people have for long believed and followed in.
The Member of the Parliament, Agatha K Sangma said that with the opening of the auditorium expectations are high as many colourful and fruitful events will surely take off from here.
The Adviser to the Chief Minister and MLA, North Tura Thomas A Sangma has showered praises on Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma for taking up various initiatives that are aimed at giving a new facelift to the second most important town in the state. He said that internal roads of Tura town are also going to be repaired and advised the PWD to ensure a proper drainage system is put in place to check against damage to roads.
The Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Tura Swapnil Tembe has expressed his joy at the renovation and opening of the auditorium which will pave the way for district programmes to take place inside and help curtail expenditure of hiring tents, chairs, lighting, construction of temporary structures, etc.
