by Trishna Pegu Doley

GUWAHATI : Misings are one of the most colourful, culturally rich and intellectually advanced tribes of Assam and TMPK has been playing a very pivotal role in development of the students of the community while striving to address their issues.

The Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today attended the inaugural ceremony of Takam Mising Porin Kebang’s (TMPK) golden jubilee celebration programme as chief guest at Jonai Higher Secondary School playground at Jonai in Dhemaji district. TMPK is the students’ organisation of the Mising community which was established in 1971. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that Misings are one of the most colourful, culturally rich and intellectually advanced tribes of Assam and TMPK has been playing a very pivotal role in development of the students of the community while striving to address their issues. During its 50 years of glorious existence, TMPK has been able to earn tremendous love and respect of Mising community members and the organization must continue to play an important role in shaping next generation of the community by motivating them to acquire knowledge and skills, he added. Saying that members of the Mising tribe have been able to succeed in all spheres of life overcoming challenges like flood and erosion, the Chief Minister asserted that the landless people of Laika and Dadhia would be rehabilitated soon and an expert committee has been constituted by the state government under the leadership of the forest minister in this regard.

He also said that Misings have always been an integral part of the greater Assamese society and personalities like Tarun Chandra Pamegam, Indira Miri, Dr. Tabu Ram Taid, Jadav Payeng and many others from the community have contributed immensely in the development of Assam. Sonowal also fondly remembered his childhood memories in Jonai and said that Misings are very welcoming, generous, humble and dignified people. He asserted that the state government would take all necessary steps for providing constitutional safeguard to the Mising community and he urged associations like TMPK to inspire the youths of the community to acquire knowledge through education while actively engaging themselves in cultural and sports activities for achieving holistic development of the community.

He also called on the teachers and the parents to motivate the children for striving towards excellence in all fields. Sonowal said that the present state government has come to power in 2016 with the support of all indigenous communities of Assam and it has endeavoured to maintain peace and harmony among all communities since then. Due to the peaceful environment the state has been able to bring lots of investments and economic progress in last four and a half years, he added. Saying that the north bank districts of Lakhimpur and Dhemaji were neglected by the previous state governments and therefore, they legged behind in development. Sonowal remarked that north bank districts have seen tremendous growth and prosperity during present state government’s tenure as higher and technical education institutes have been set up here for rapid development of education sector.

He also said that during the earlier state government’s time no train had come to Jonai and now Jonai’s development has been augmented by the opening of Bogibeel Road cum Rail Bridge and coming of trains regularly here. He also thanked Jonai MLA Bhuban Pegu, Dhemaji MLA Dr. Ranoj Pegu, Chairman of Mising Autonomous Council Paramananda Chayengia for bringing progress and development to these Mising dominated areas and thanked the people for their support and cooperation in development initiatives of the state government. MP Pradan Baruah, MP Arunachl East Tapir Gao, MLAs Bhuban Pegu, Dr. Ranoj Pegu, Balin Chetia, several MLAs of Arunachal Pradesh, Chairman of Mising Autonomous Council Paramananda Chayengia, TMPK President Rajkumar Morang, President of All Assam Tribal Sangha Aditya Khaklari, President of ABSU Dipen Bodo alongwith several representatives of Gurkha, Sonowal Kachari, Dimasa, Karbi Students’ Unions were also present in today’s programme.