Shillong, Sept 1: The National People’s Party (NPP) celebrated the 74th birth anniversary of its founder and former Lok Sabha Speaker, Lt. P.A. Sangma at the party headquarters in Shillong on Wednesday.

National General Secretary and Minister, James Sangma highlighted the achievements of the party ever since its humble beginning. He spoke of NPP’s accomplishment in becoming the first party from Northeast India to get the status of a National Party and have its office in the national capital, New Delhi.

He also declared September 1 to be the ‘Foundation Day’ of the NPP to mark the birth anniversary of its founder and leader.

“As we all know, there has been a lot of ambiguity in terms of our party’s foundation day. Therefore, it is decided by our present National President, Mr. Conrad Sangma that along with the birth anniversary of our late leader, September 1 will also be celebrated as the foundation day of the NPP. Today, I would like to congratulate and wish each and every one of our party leaders and members, a very happy foundation day of the NPP,” he said.

Also speaking on the occasion, State President of NPP, WR Kharlukhi fondly recalled (L) P.A. Sangma and the time when he had joined the party .

“He (Lt PA Sangma) was not just a political leader, but a great visionary. It was him who laid the ideals on which the party is working today. It was him who took the pledge to help and work for the people of Northeast as a whole,” he said.

National General Secretary of the Women’s Wing, Dr. Mehtab A. Sangma paid her respect and sincere gratitude to the leader for everything he has done for the entire region and the state. She spoke of his dream of taking NPP to new heights and said, “We need to work towards the goals which are tribal-centric. We need to make Meghalaya the strongest part of the region and the beacon of hope for the entire Northeast”.

Earlier in the programme, the party members offered their homage to the late leader and founder, which was followed by a short prayer service.

The event was also attended by Working President of the Women’s Wing, P. Nongpluh, National Youth Working President, Nickey Nongkhlaw, President, Shillong City, Anthony Nongbri, State Working President, D. War, among many others dignitaries.

The party members also took a pledge to work for the betterment of the party, the people and the state.