Tura, July 16: Meghalaya on Thursday paid tribute to the extraordinary sacrifice of the Garo Labour Corps, whose members travelled thousands of kilometres from the Garo Hills to war-ravaged France during the First World War, as the 108th Garo Labour Corps Day was observed with solemnity and pride at the District Auditorium in Tura.
The commemorative programme, organised by the Tura Municipal Board, brought together public representatives, officials, descendants of the Labour Corps and citizens to honour the courage and resilience of the Garo men who served on the Western Front during World War I.
More than a century ago, hundreds of Garo men volunteered as part of the Indian Labour Corps and were deployed to France, where they worked under dangerous wartime conditions, building roads, transporting supplies, maintaining military infrastructure and supporting Allied forces behind the frontlines.
Many never returned home, while others came back carrying memories of one of history’s deadliest conflicts.
The annual observance has become a symbol of remembrance for a chapter of history that remained largely overlooked for decades.
It celebrates not only the sacrifices of the Garo Labour Corps but also their enduring contribution to the global war effort and the legacy they left behind for future generations.
Floral tributes were paid during the ceremony, while speakers reflected on the courage, discipline and service of the Garo labourers, urging younger generations to preserve and share this remarkable chapter of Meghalaya’s history.
The Garo Labour Corps has increasingly gained national and international recognition in recent years, with renewed efforts to document its history and honour the men whose service forged a unique historical link between Meghalaya and France.
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