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SHILLONG : Former cabinet minister and senior BJP leader Alexander Laloo Hek was conferred an honorary doctorate by Delhi-based Integrated Global University (IGU) on Friday in recognition of his contributions to public service, social work and political leadership.
The honorary degree was presented during a convocation ceremony organised by the university, which regularly honours individuals from different sectors for their achievements and contributions to society.
Hek, a six-time MLA from Pynthorumkhrah constituency, has remained one of Meghalaya’s longest-serving BJP leaders and has handled multiple ministerial portfolios since first entering the Assembly in 1998.
Speaking after receiving the honour, Hek reflected on his political journey and said he entered politics without any family background, financial support or prior political experience.
“I was pushed into politics without political experience, financial background or anyone in the family to support me in this career,” he said.!Hek recalled beginning his political career under the Youth Democratic Front, the political wing of the FKJGP, where he served as the organisation’s first state general secretary alongside founder-president late Sounder S. Cajee.
He later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 1995 and contested the 1998 Assembly election as the party’s official candidate.
‘I joined BJP in 1995 and contested for the first time as an official BJP candidate in 1998. I won and was inducted as a minister. Since then, there has been no looking back,” Hek said.
He further noted that he has won six consecutive terms from the same constituency and served in the state cabinet under different departments over the years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hek served as Meghalaya’s Health Minister and was among the prominent political figures overseeing the state’s public health response.
In 2021, he received recognition from the World Health Organization (WHO) for his role in managing the pandemic response in Meghalaya. He has also been associated with the Lord Gautam Buddha International Peace Award for his contributions to society and public welfare.
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Integrated Global University, headquartered in Delhi, is known for organising international convocation events and recognition ceremonies in locations including Kathmandu and Dubai, honouring achievers from fields such as education, entrepreneurship, governance and social service.