Aizawl, Aug 18 (IANS) Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Tuesday hailed the Gorkha community for its significant contribution to the state’s public life and governance, describing them as a brave, disciplined and skilled community that has shared a close bond with the Mizos for generations.
Addressing the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Mizoram Gorkha Youth Association (MGYA), the Chief Minister said that when the British first entered Mizoram, Gorkhas were among their most important human resources.
He noted that as hill people and a disciplined, gentle community like the Mizos, the ancestors of Mizos greatly liked them, and the two communities gradually came to live together like people destined to share the same home.
Lalduhoma said there had never been any conflict between the two communities and that both had learned from each other over the years.
“Even to this day, there has never been any conflict between the two communities. Our forefathers learned many things from the Gorkhas, and the Gorkhas, too, imbibed many good aspects of the Mizo way of life,” he said.
Recalling the turbulent period of 1966, locally known as Rambuai (trouble), marked by an armed uprising led by the Mizo National Front (MNF) under Laldenga, the Chief Minister said several Gorkha youths had fought alongside the people of Mizoram.
He described MGYA as a strong organisation working for the welfare and guidance of Gorkha youth in the state.
He also highlighted the Gorkha community’s contribution to public life and governance in Mizoram. During the District Council period, several Gorkhas served as nominated members of Village Councils, while after Mizoram attained Union Territory status, Kapurchand Thakuri served as a nominated MLA.
Referring to young Agastya Thapa, who was felicitated at the programme, Lalduhoma said he was the first cadet from Chhingchhip Sainik School, since the school began conducting classes in 2017, to qualify for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination.
The Chief Minister said the Gorkha community had made significant contributions to Mizoram in various fields and urged MGYA to continue playing an active role in guiding and nurturing the younger generation.
He added that the state government attaches great importance to the welfare of minority communities and will continue to take measures to support them.
Reassuring the Gorkha community, Lalduhoma said they need not fear anything and urged them to live peacefully and with confidence, and to continue to prosper in Mizoram.
The programme also highlighted the Gorkha community’s history and settlement in the state. The Gorkhas arrived in Mizoram around the same time as the British and, after retiring, many chose to remain in Mizoram instead of returning to their places of origin. The government then made arrangements for their settlement and allowed them to administer their community according to their customs.
According to the 1950 Census, Aizawl district had 2,557 Gorkhas. Currently, around 8,000 members of the Gorkha community are estimated to reside in Mizoram.
Gorkha youths founded the MGYA at Khatla Veng on August 18, 1976. The organisation has since expanded its activities across Mizoram and now has 17 branches.
Young Mizo Association (YMA) President R. Lalngheta also addressed the gathering.
— IANS
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