Purno A Sangma scripting his autobiography ‘Beyond Reservation’

Purno Agitok Sangma - Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former Speaker of the Lok Sabha, scripting his autobiography ‘Beyond Reservation’ by Saidul Khan. The veteran politician, former Lok Sabha Speaker and Tura MLA is penning down his experience being the speaker and a parliamentarian for the last three decades. ‘Beyond Reservation’ is the title of Purno Sangma’s autobiography which is going to give a message to every tribal that don’t be contended with reservation. In an interaction with North East Sun, Sangma for the first time disclosed about his intention of writing his autobiography which will not only talk about how Sangma reached the position where he is today but it will also talk about the tribal communities across the globe vis-à-vis it will highlight the achievements and success stories of many North Eastern who make India a great nation.

“For the last three months, I have been busy writing my autobiography and a book on my role as the Speaker of this great Nation including my experience of being a parliamentarian for over 30 years”, said Sangma. Sangma’s autobiography is slated for release in New Delhi this September. “Don’t be contended with reservation, you must go beyond reservation”, Sangma strongly commented and said that his book talks about the spirit of competition and that tribal’s are capable of competition. He disclosed that the book begins with his experience of being the Speaker of the Parliament. He recollects the reply made by him to the media when he was sworn in as the first tribal Speaker of the country, “I feel good because I have proved that a tribal can occupy this position which is not reserved for them”.

The book also highlights achievements and success stories of tribal across the world like J M Lyngdoh, former Chief Election Commissioner, nationalist leaders like B B Lyngdoh, Capt Williamson Sangma, etc. Sangma is also penning down what these leaders said about India and its people and the issues confronting the world. He also talks about Baichung Buttia, Captain Indian Football Team, Somdev, eminent Tennis player, international leaders including present president of United States of America Barack Hussein Obama, Nelson Mandela, former UN Chairman, who is a tribal from Kenya. He also talks about his children who have excelled in their own field without any reservation.

On being considered by rest of India as a separate entity, Purno A Sangma in his book is including a chapter where he quotes Vir Sangvi, an eminent Journalist who said that Sangma don’t look like an India and on the contributions of people like Gopinath Bordoloi, Rani Godulu, Nicholas Roy, U Tirot Sing, Pa Togan Sangma etc, who made a great contribution for India. “I have a snap nose, I am a mongoloid and not an India”, said Sangma quoting Vir and informed that his book will tell the rest of the country about the contribution made by the north eastern for the rest of India. His book also talks about how Lord Krishna had married a girl from Manipur and how the entire Mahabarata story is centered around North east. It also talks about the Siva Lingas, biggest Kamakia temple etc and rues that nobody should say that North eastern are not Indians.

He argues that his writing will throw a new light to the rest of the country and people will be able to understand North East and the contribution made by the people. He also points that during Chinesse war in 1962 North Eastern suffered and defended the county and that during Bangladesh liberation millions of refuges came to North East. “We suffered a lot during the period and this is our contribution to India. So nobody should say that we are not Indian and nobody should discriminate us”, said Sangma. He further stressed that North East has a very bright future and that new vistas has opened up with the Look East Policy. The region has the opportunity to open up market with China, Mayanmar, Bhutan and Bangladesh. He also informed that road connectivity from Kolkata to Dhaka and from Dhaka to Guwahati via Garo Hills will benefit both the country.