Chief Minister Lalduhoma attended the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Mizoram Gorkha Youth Association (MGYA) as the Chief Guest at Dawrpui Multipurpose Hall and unveiled the Golden Jubilee Foundation Stone on Tuesday.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that it was a matter of good fortune for Mizoram to have a strong organisation like MGYA working for the welfare and guidance of Gorkha youth in the State. He described MGYA as a leading organisation in guiding and nurturing the Gorkha youth of Mizoram.
The Chief Minister stated that Gorkhas, being a brave, disciplined and skilled community, were highly valued by the British Government. Even when the British first entered Mizoram, the Gorkhas were among their most important manpower. As they are also hill people, and a disciplined and gentle community like the Mizos, our forefathers greatly liked them and the two communities gradually came to live together like people destined to share the same home. Even to this day, there has never been any conflict between the two communities. “Our forefathers have learned many things from the Gorkhas and the Gorkhas, too, have imbibed many good aspects of the Mizo way of life ” he said.
Recalling the turbulent period of 1966, Lalduhoma stated that several Gorkha youths had fought alongside the people of Mizoram for the State. Saying, “In life and on the hills, in death and in the grave,” we stood and fought together. A statement from our Gorkha brothers and sisters that remains etched in our hearts is, “We have no place to rest our heads except Mizoram” highlighting their shared resolve to stand together in life and death along with the Mizos.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the contribution of the Gorkha community to public life and governance in Mizoram.
Central Young Mizo Association(YMA) President R. Lalngheta also addressed the gathering.
The programme also highlighted the history and settlement of the Gorkha community in Mizoram. The Gorkhas in Mizoram arrived around the same time as the British and following their retirement, many chose to remain in Mizoram rather than return to their places of origin. The Government subsequently made arrangements for their settlement and enabled them to administer their community in accordance with their customs. According to the 1950 Census, there were 2,557 Gorkhas in Aizawl District. At present, around 8,000 members of the Gorkha community are estimated to be residing in Mizoram.
