Shillong, July 19: The State Cabinet on Friday approved the renaming of several roads and buildings in the State, including renaming a road in Tura in honour of late Bishop George Mamalassery.

Meghalaya government has decided to rename PA Sangma Road to Holy Cross Hospital in Tura as Bishop George Mamalassery Road.

The development was announced by Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma after the cabinet meeting.

It may be recalled that recently former Tura MP, Agatha Sangma, had written to Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills to rename a road in the town in memory of Bishop George Mamalassery, who was fondly called ‘Bishop Mama’. She had proposal to rename the road starting from the P.A. Sangma Road junction leading to the Holy Cross Hospital in honour of Bishop Mamalassery as a way to commemorate his immense contributions to the region.

CM Sangma said the road which was earlier known as Holy Cross road will now be renamed in memory of the longest served Catholic Bishop in Tura, Bishop George Mamalassery who passed away on July 5, 2024.

Other newly named roads and buildings include:
– The approach road from National Highway 217 to Baghmara Market, will now be called Capt. William Sangma Road.
– Raitong Building renamed to Lum Shyllong Building.
– Nongsawlia via Saitsohpen-Mawsmai Road, renamed to U Thomas Jones Road.
– The road from Mawkhar Community Hall to Jaiaw Langsning, will now be called Hubert Gordon Robert Road.
– The GNM School of Nursing, will now be known as GNM School of Nursing Paham Syiem, Nongpoh.

Bishop Mamalassery’s immense contribution to Garo Hills

Bishop Mamalassery’s tenure in Garo Hills began as a missionary in 1960s, eventually leading to his role as the Bishop of Tura. His legacy is marked by the establishment of numerous educational institutions, including several LP schools, 35 M.E. Schools, 16 Secondary Schools, 2 Higher Secondary Schools, and 24 Girls’ hostels and 23 boys hostels spread all across the Garo Hills.

In the healthcare sector, Bishop Mamalassery founded over 20 dispensaries and the 150-bed Holy Cross Hospital in Tura, enhancing healthcare access for the people of Garo Hills. Additionally, he established the Rino Simoneti Nursing School for General Nursing and two old-age homes for the poor and destitute, including one in Tura.

For the physically challenged, he invited the Montfort Brothers to establish the Montfort Centre for the Physically challenged at Danakgre.

Similarly, under his patronage, the Diocesan Social Service Center (Bakdil) grew into being a major NGO involved in various welfare and people empowerment programs in Garo Hills.

Also Read: Bangladesh protests: HYC asks members to prevent Bangladeshi refugees’ ‘invasion’ of Meghalaya

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