Shillong, April 24: The government constituted committee on preservation of Garo culture and heritage has suggested two locations for the proposed construction of a second Cenotaph for engraving the names of those, who were not included in the first Garo Labour Corps Cenotaph at Lower Babupara in Tura.
Speaking to media persons, chairman of the committee and cabinet minister Marcuise N Marak said, “Since only few names are reflected in the Cenotaph, the committee felt that those names should also be found out and be engraved in the Cenotaph. For this, we have proposed another plot. We have already suggested two locations – one is the old Circuit House and the other is the old public school at Babupara – for the construction of the (second) Cenotaph…”
Marak informed that decision was taken during a meeting of the committee held on April 15. The committee was constituted after civil society organizations strongly opposed the demolition of the Cenotaph at Tura.
“Therefore, the committee is looking into the aspect of reconstructing the Cenotaph. All the stakeholders and society leaders have suggested that the Cenotaph should be constructed in the same place without shifting location.”
The Cenotaph is a historical monument in Tura, built in honour of the several hundred Garos who sacrificed their lives during the First World War in France and the return of the few survivors on July 16, 1918.
During World War I, around 500 Garo men were recruited by the British government in India and sent to the frontlines of the war in France. Their job was to bring in supplies, construct roads and transport much needed supplies to the allied forces battling the Germans at the frontlines.
Of the 500 men, 456 reached France, at the beginning of the cold and bitter winter of the same year. When the war ended on May 25, 1918, they were sent to Marseilles port in France for repatriation to India. They landed in Tura on July 16, 1918 but, of the 456 who reached France, only 120 returned home alive. It is a historical landmark that embodied the valour and contributions of the Garos.
Asked, Marak said the committee has been tasked with the responsibility to look into the preservation of the Garo cultural heritage.
“As requested by the civil society leaders, there will be no commercial structure coming up at the location.”
He informed that the second sitting of the committee will be held on April 30.
“We have already entrusted one architect to come up with the design so that we can see the presentation and if the committee finds it is okay, we can submit it to the government for consideration,” Marak added.
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