CM Conrad Sangma: “Khasi and Garo must find place in schools and the Eighth Schedule”

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 30, 2025

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Saturday underlined the importance of indigenous languages, stressing that Khasi and Garo must not only be taught in schools but also be recognised nationally through inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

Speaking at the silver jubilee celebration of Salantini Janera, Meghalaya’s only Garo-language daily, at Hotel Polo Orchid, Tura, the Chief Minister said, “As citizens of our beloved state, everyone should have basic knowledge of Khasi, Garo, and Pnar. These languages are not just tools of communication—they are the essence of our identity. This is why the government is working to make Khasi and Garo mandatory subjects in schools. We are also awaiting a positive response from the Centre on their inclusion in the Eighth Schedule, and I seek everyone’s cooperation to make this a success.”

Conrad K. Sangma also lauded Salantini Janera for its 25-year journey, calling its survival in the face of global challenges “a testament to resilience and credibility.” He observed that while his late father, P.A. Sangma, had once started a Garo newspaper which could not sustain, the daily’s endurance demonstrated its strength. “Credibility is your greatest strength,” he told the editorial team, stressing the media’s role as a watchdog, even if it sometimes creates friction with governments.

He added that democracy thrives when political leaders and the press work with mutual respect and independence. “When we respect each other’s roles—with media ensuring accountability and leaders open to scrutiny—we serve the larger cause of democracy,” he said.

Tura MP Saleng Sangma described the occasion as “an honour,” calling Salantini Janera not just a newspaper but “a movement in itself.” He stressed the power of mother-tongue journalism and urged greater recognition for neglected languages of the Northeast. “Competitive exams like the IAS and IPS should be allowed in our local languages so that tribal communities are not deprived of opportunities,” he said.

Leader of Opposition Dr. Mukul Sangma congratulated the daily for achieving a “historic milestone” despite many challenges. He described the press as indispensable for democracy, ensuring accountability and vigilance. He also pointed to structural constraints in Garo Hills and urged greater investment in media infrastructure, technology, and wider accessibility.

Manas Chaudhuri, proprietor of The Shillong Times, called the jubilee “historic” both for the newspaper’s achievement and for uniting the Chief Minister, Leader of Opposition, and MP on the same platform. He recalled the paper’s early beginnings as an eight-page weekly in the 1990s and its growth into a daily, now published in colour. He also announced a Rs 20,000 annual award for the student securing the highest marks in Garo in the MBOSE examinations.

He emphasized that as the world’s only Garo-language daily, Salantini Janera serves as a vital bridge between government and people. “If you write in the paper, it will reach the Chief Minister’s table,” he assured readers.

From its humble beginnings to its present role as the sole Garo daily, Salantini Janera has become both a guardian of Garo identity and a voice for the community. As Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma put it: “We may belong to different parties and approaches, but our goal is the same—the welfare of the people of Garo Hills and Meghalaya.”