By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Introspecting on the set of objectives achieved by Meghalaya in the past 41 years of Statehood, Governor RS Mooshahary on Monday observed that the State is yet to achieve a decent standard of livelihood and a sense of security and well being since violence still persists in some pockets of the State.
“After the attainment of Statehood, there was peace for sometime but later, the State witnessed a phase of violence which is still continuing in some pockets and this is due to the fact that till date we have not been able to raise the standard of livelihood,” Mooshahary said.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion of the 41st Meghalaya Day celebration here at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Mooshahary said that though political freedom provides an opportunity to fulfill these needs, yet it is not enough.
“A fight for freedom from hunger and poverty should be a continuous effort not only by the government but the citizens of the State,” he said.
Stating that the State is rich in terms of minerals, the Governor said it is true that these minerals are assets for the State but at the same time, they also bring about environmental degradation.
“We need to wake up to the dangers we are creating for ourselves by carrying out unscientific mining and need to turn our State into an environmental-friendly one,” he said.
He also spoke at length about the international and inter-state boundary issues the State faces with Bangladesh and Assam.
“This problem is not beyond our negotiating skills, so I think this problem could be tackled and solved,” Mooshahary said.
Commenting on the rise of crime against women in the State, the Governor shared his experiences while he was a student in the State stating that about 41 years ago, a crime as heinous as rape was unheard of but this crime has taken its toll in the present scenario.
“This increased rate of crime doesn’t speak well of the culture of the people which implies that there is a need to re-construct our culture and respect women,” he said.
Meanwhile, turning to corruption, Mooshahary said this menace is not the monopoly of one party or one sector but it is an endemic. Calling upon the citizens to make use of the available machineries like the RTI to fight corruption, Mooshahary said it is high time for the citizens to raise their voice against any corrupt practices.
He also stressed on the need to restore Shillong as the hub of educational institutions. “We need to raise our knowledge and wisdom and peace building capacity, the tools which eradicate the persisting social evils in the society,” he stated. Turning to the fundamental rights of the people, Mooshahary said according to Article 51 (A) of the Constitution, each citizen has a fundamental duty they have to fulfill in the absence of which there would no equality, humanism, development or reforms.
“It is up to the government functionaries to go through these fundamental duties and for the citizens to read them and not to fail in discharging the same,” he said, adding that it is important to ensure a society which upholds justice, equity and prosperity.
Earlier, the Governor handed over the Meghalaya Day Excellence Awards, 2012 which included citation and cash award of Rs 10,000 to government officials and employees including Tyngshainbor Kharbuli, Lumlang S Tariang, Anthony Peter Nongbri, Ireendalyne Sun, Pronathson K Marak, Phastring Basaiawmoit, Costly M Nongkhaw, Bestar Kharmawlong, Anja Devi N Sangma, Waillence A Sangma, Arkiru Sutnga, Paul Jyrwa, Sitonath G Momin, Kandhi Nongkseh and Sollendro Hajong.
The Governor also handed over certificate and cash prizes to the winners of Meghalaya Day Run organized by the Directorate of Sport and Youth Affairs. Jomsingstar Ramsiej, Wanboklang Jyrwa and Kynpham Swer were awarded in the men’s category while Kyntimon Marwein, Pynjanai Syngkli and Dateiban Kynmaw Marwein received the top three awards in the women’s category respectively.
The winners of the Governor’s Police Medal, 2013 were also announced on the occasion.
This year the recepients of the award are Abraham T Sangma, Julie Nongkhlaw, Calmlyson Lawrence Diengdoh, Simseng A Sangma, Apang K Marak, Tearson Ch Momin, Md Naushad Khan, Harkesh Shabong and Prodenson Sangma.