Assembly pays tribute to departed leaders

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 5, 2020

The State Legislative Assembly paid rich tributes to former President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday, the first day of the autumn session.

Tributes were also paid to former Deputy Speaker, Hispreaching Son Shylla, former minister Simon Siangshai and 37 other departed leaders, who passed away this year.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma led the members in recalling the services of Pranab Mukherjee asserting that the nation has lost a great personality.

“My late father used to tell me that he was a person with a sharp memory…I am sure his contributions and the works he had done will always be there in the history of the country,” Sangma said.

The chief minister also recalled working very closely with Shylla and Siangshai, who according to him are tall leaders of the state, who have been in the political arena for a very long time.

He said Shylla was a powerful orator and was part of the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) even as he added that Siangshai was a real person of the grassroot.

Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh said Pranab Mukherjee was one of the eldest statesmen of India politics, a scholar and most respected leader as he pays tributes to all the 39 departed leaders.

Lyngdoh also fondly remembered the contributions made by Shylla and Siangshai.

He said Shylla was elected twice to the state Assembly in 1998 and 1993 from Nongkrem constituency where he served as minister of state for corporation, as food civil supplies minister and has been a member at different capacities.

Shylla also won the elections to the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) thrice from Nongkrem constituency in 1994, 2004 and 2016 and had been fighting for enactment of the clan administration bill passed by the council.

“He (Shylla) was a remarkable statesman, stood his ground and was vocal about his opinions and views. He has always stressed, talked and discussed the interest of the indigenous people of the state,” the Speaker said.

Lyngdoh said Siangshai was elected twice as member of the Assembly in 1983 and 1998 from the then Rymbai constituency on a UDP ticket and had served the state in various capacities as minister of PWD, Soil & Water Conservation, Labour etc.

“It was during his tenure that cement industries were set up and started in East Jaintia Hills district,” he also recalled.

Leader of Opposition, Mukul Sangma said Pranab Mukherjee was an architect of the North East Industrial Promotion Policy when he was the minister of finance adding that the special central assistance for development of the NE region was also initiated by him.

Paying his tribute to the two leaders from the state, Mukul said Shylla was the food civil supplies minister under the Lapang led government adding he was a leader who connected with the masses, farmers, down trodden even though he spent most of his time preaching.

“Shylla wore many hats…he was an extraordinary man with an extraordinary mind. It is sad that he is no longer with us but we will continue to remember him for his contributions,” he said.