By Our Reporter
Thursday. (ST)
SHILLONG: The tone and spirit of the Independence Day celebration in the insurgency-ravaged Garo Hills was one of fun and fervor, unlike that of the past years.
Although Garo Hills is reeling under the grip of militancy, yet people from all walks of life and age came out in thousands to attend the official function of the celebration at Willamnagar, a town of East Garo Hills which is considered to be the hub of the proscribed militant outfit, GNLA.
The celebration saw the participation of children with the tri-colour in their hand, visiting the venue much before the official function kicked off.
The tri-colour was unfurled by the Social Welfare Minister and local legislator Deborah Marak who took the salute of school students who conducted the ceremonial parade, amidst heightened security deployed for the day.
Addressing the gathering in Garo dialect, Marak highlighted the various programmes the Government intends on implementing in Garo Hills and in the State as a whole.
She said that the Government is mulling over constructing housing colonies under housing schemes for the lower income and middle income people of Garo Hills.
The Government is also planning to construct a helipad at Williamnagar to provide the much needed connectivity to the town and its adjoining areas, she said.
“Tourism is a fast growing industry and Meghalaya has the potential to promote tourism,” she said while addressing the gathering even as she asserted that the State is all set for a bright future.
During the function, school students also presented various cultural programmes including Hindi patriotic songs and the traditional Wangala Dance.
A demonstration on taekwondo by the youths was the highlight of the day.
Meanwhile, meritorious students and proficient employees were also felicitated for their services on the occasion.
Meanwhile, a visit to other areas of Garo Hills including Rongjeng and Dobu revealed that Independence Day was celebrated in its best spirit with football matches organized in different areas attended by huge number of people.
It was also witnessed that the Indian flag was hoisted in every shop in Dobu village and many of the vehicles were flying the national flag.