9th Mile, Khanapara, Ri Bhoi, Monday, September 1, 2025: The University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) hosted the 9th Memorial Lecture in a ceremony themed: “The Legacy of P.A. Sangma, the Role of the Present Government, and Meghalaya 2040”, in honour of (L) Purno Agitok Sangma, the towering farsighted figure in Indian politics and a pioneering voice from the Northeast, P.A. Sangma’s enduring message was: “Every Indian, regardless of geography or background, deserves a voice and a place at the table.”
Two soulful melodies, one Khasi and the other Garo, captured the spirit of the land with struggles, patriotism and joy reflecting (L) P.A. Sangma’s cultural roots.
After the felicitation of guests, honouring dignitaries and esteemed invitees, Prof. G.D. Sharma, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of USTM, warmly opened the occasion. He shared a personal memory of travelling to Shillong in 2008, before USTM’s inception, with Shri Mahbubul Hoque and Shri R.K Sharma. There, they met P.A. Sangma, whose inspiring words still ring true: “Your university should be of the best quality—not just for the Northeast and the nation, but at the international level.” Today, those words have found life in USTM’s consistent achievements, including being ranked among India’s top 200 universities and receiving the NAAC ‘A’ accreditation for three consecutive years.
The guest speakers discussed the Meghalaya government’s vision for 2040, which includes a significant push for education. The Guest of Honour, Shri Violet Baruah, IPS (Retd.), former Inspector General of Police, shared her reflective perspective on how crucial it is to embrace the spirit of the great P.A. Sangma, the perfect embodiment of human compassion and connection that the new, rising Artificial Intelligence could never replicate. She closed with the words, “P.A. Sangma showed the power of genuine heart-to-heart connection, and we should carry that forward.
The Chief Guest, Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh, the Honourable MLA of Umsning Constituency, delivered an enlivening Memorial Lecture with energy. Highlighting the greatness of P.A. Sangma, he said, “We are celebrating the life of a person who has achieved so much in such a short time. No one, including himself, knew he would be great, but he became great because he gave his 100%.”
After his inspiring speech, the cash prize distributions commenced, where essay and sketch competition winners were honoured for their creative tributes to P.A. Sangma.
The celebration concluded with a vote of thanks by Padma Shri Dr. Sarbeswar Saharia, Pro Vice Chancellor, USTM.
P.A. Sangma was the very heartbeat, the driving force that breathed life into the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya and the PA Sangma International Medical College and Hospital (PIMC). His legacy is unforgettable and still lives on.