Shillong: The Meghalaya Legislative Assembly opened its Autumn Session on Monday by honoring 22 departed political figures. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma led the tributes, highlighting the life of former Shella MLA Galmenndarsing Lyngdoh, who died August 22 at age 93. Elected in 1983 as an All Party Hill Leaders Conference member, Lyngdoh also served three terms on the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council.
Legislators across the House offered condolences. Opposition leader Mukul Sangma remembered Lyngdoh from his student days at St. Anthony’s College in Shillong. Other members including Charles Pyngrope, Olan Singh Suin, and Balajied Synrem praised Lyngdoh for strengthening democratic institutions and backing the Lafarge Umiam Mining project. Speaker Thomas A. Sangma also paid respects to former Union Ministers K.P. Unnikrishnan and Biren Singh Ingty, among others who passed in the last six months.
Turning to Assembly business, the Chief Minister pushed for a new cultural mandate. He asked the Speaker to require legislators to wear traditional clothing one day every week to boost indigenous textiles and farmers. The CM wore a shirt made from Ryndia to mark the start of the session.
"I have urged the Speaker that one day every week should be designated as a day when wearing traditional attire would be mandatory for members of the Assembly," Sangma said. The proposal remains flexible regarding specific garments, allowing members to represent various local cultures. He believes this move will provide a distinct look to the House while offering necessary visibility to the state’s heritage industry.
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