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.