Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma urges communal harmony at Hindu Mission centenary
Synopsis
At the 100-year milestone of The Meghalaya Hindu Mission, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma chose the occasion not for religious rhetoric but for a pointed call to pluralism — 'love your community, never hate others.' His remarks, delivered at a celebration attended by indigenous groups and MLAs alike, reflect Meghalaya's delicate inter-faith balance and the political premium placed on it.
Key Takeaways
Meghalaya CM Conrad K.
Sangma addressed the centenary of The Meghalaya Hindu Mission at Mawprem, Shillong on 14 October 2026 .
Sangma urged that love for one's own community must never translate into hatred towards others, stressing communal harmony and secularism.
The Meghalaya Hindu Mission was founded in 1926 as the Hindu Sammelan Anath Ashram to serve vulnerable sections of society.
The Mission has donated approximately 27,425 square feet of land for public purposes, including land for a Presbyterian Church and road widening.
Its Homes for Boys and Girls at Lower Mawprem are registered under the Juvenile Justice Act and receive government child-maintenance grants.
Arts and Culture Minister Sanbor Shullai and MLA Paul Lyngdoh were also present at the event.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, called for communal harmony, secularism and mutual respect at the centenary celebration of The Meghalaya Hindu Mission held at Mawprem in Shillong. Addressing a gathering that brought together diverse cultural and indigenous communities, Sangma stressed that pride in one's own community must never become a source of animosity towards others.
Key Remarks by the Chief Minister
'We should love our community, but never hate others,' Sangma said, underscoring that every community contributes meaningfully to Meghalaya's social fabric and plays a vital role in the state's overall development. He added that unity and respect for diverse faiths and cultures are indispensable for societal progress and well-being.
Sangma also invoked a broader spiritual message, noting that 'every religion shares a common message of service and brotherhood.' He welcomed the participation of indigenous communities in the centenary event and urged young people to carry the spirit of the occasion into their daily lives — practising compassion, honesty, and helping those in need as values shared across faiths.
Government's Welfare Record
Referring to the state government's work over the past eight years, the Chief Minister said welfare initiatives had been directed towards all citizens irrespective of community or background. Arts and Culture Minister Sanbor Shullai and MLA Paul Lyngdoh were also present at the programme.
A Century of Philanthropic Service
The Meghalaya Hindu Mission was established in 1926 as the Hindu Sammelan Anath Ashram, with founding objectives that included setting up an orphanage for destitute children, establishing schools and libraries for needy students, combating untouchability and other regressive social practices, and imparting vocational skills to women to encourage self-reliance.
Sangma praised the Mission for its century-long record of philanthropic work, noting that organisations committed to public service strengthen peace and cross-community understanding. The Mission has also contributed approximately 27,425 square feet of land for public purposes over the decades, including land for the Mawprem Presbyterian Church and the widening of Mawprem Road.
Child Care and Community Welfare
The Mission's Homes for Boys and Girls at Lower Mawprem are registered Child Care Institutions under the Juvenile Justice Act. They provide children requiring care and protection with shelter, food, clothing, education, medical care and recreational facilities, supported by government child-maintenance grants. This combination of civic, educational and welfare contributions underlines the Mission's significance beyond a single religious community.
As the Mission enters its second century, the Chief Minister's message of inclusive service and inter-faith respect frames its future direction within a state known for its remarkable diversity of faiths and indigenous cultures.
Point of View
This framing is deliberate. The Mission's own history — donating land to a Presbyterian church and supporting government-funded child care — embodies the kind of cross-community institution-building that political leaders across Northeast India point to when defending Meghalaya's relative social peace. Whether the speech translates into policy signals or remains inspirational oratory is the question observers will watch in the months ahead.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma say at the Hindu Mission centenary?
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma called for communal harmony and mutual respect at the centenary of The Meghalaya Hindu Mission in Shillong on 14 October 2026. He said communities should love their own but never hate others, and stressed that every religion shares a common message of service and brotherhood.
What is The Meghalaya Hindu Mission and when was it founded?
The Meghalaya Hindu Mission was established in 1926 as the Hindu Sammelan Anath Ashram to support vulnerable sections of society. Its founding objectives included running an orphanage, setting up schools and libraries, combating untouchability, and imparting vocational skills to women.
What welfare work does The Meghalaya Hindu Mission carry out today?
The Mission runs Homes for Boys and Girls at Lower Mawprem in Shillong, which are registered Child Care Institutions under the Juvenile Justice Act. They provide shelter, food, education, medical care and recreation for children requiring care and protection, supported by government child-maintenance grants.
How much land has The Meghalaya Hindu Mission donated for public use?
The Mission has ceded approximately 27,425 square feet of land for various public purposes over the decades, including land for the Mawprem Presbyterian Church and for the widening of Mawprem Road.
Who else attended the Meghalaya Hindu Mission centenary celebration?
Arts and Culture Minister Sanbor Shullai and MLA Paul Lyngdoh were among the dignitaries present at the centenary celebration held at Mawprem, Shillong, alongside diverse cultural and indigenous community groups.
