TURA/ JOWAI/ NONGPOH: Citizens of Tura, young and old, joined in the celebration of 42nd Meghalaya Day at the DC’s Park, here on Tuesday. Prayer for peace and harmony in Garo Hills and presentation of songs, dances and skits marked the celebration in Tura.
On the occasion, a well known litterateur of Garo Hills, Llewellyn Beaconsfield R Marak and a popular singer of yesteryears, Late Beckington D Shira (posthumous) were conferred with awards of appreciation consisting of a citation and cash of Rs. 10,000 each by the District Administration for their outstanding contribution towards A?chik Literature, folk music and social services in A?chik culture and society.
The awards were handed over to Llewllyn Marak and the wife of Late Beckington Shira by Noverfield R Marak, Parliamentary Secretary, Urban Affairs, etc.
The ‘Clean & Green Locality Awards’ were also distributed on the occasion through the Tura Municipal Board, in which A?dinggre, (Upper Chandmari) was named the cleanest locality bagging a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 while Western R.C. Road was the runner-up and bagged a cash prize of Rs. 25,000.
Addressing the gathering, Marak recalled the ceaseless and sustained efforts of the leaders of the Hill State Movement and their great achievement without violence or bloodshed. He appealed to the youth to preserve “what our forefathers had achieved” and urged upon them to take the State forward to greater heights of glory.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner, Pravin Bakshi, in his welcome address said “the State of Meghalaya was born out of the feeling of the people”. Although the State has made robust progress and great achievements, there are a lot more to be done, he said and called upon the people to come together and make joint statement for peace, development and welfare of the State.
ADC & PD, DRDA, Tura, DD Sangma and ADC & CEO, Tura Municipal Board ZJ Sangma were among others who spoke on the occasion.
In the State Day celebration at Baghmara, South Garo Hills, the Clean & Green Award for the cleanest locality was bagged by Jongkol locality, while Rangdokram received the runner-up prize.
Likewise, Meghalaya Day was also celebrated at Ampati, the headquarters of South West Garo Hills district, with Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh attending as the chief guest. At Dadenggre a brief meeting was held to mark the occasion, which was attended by officers and staff of the sub-division.
In Jowai the 42nd Statehood Day was observed at District Library Auditorium, Mynthong, on Tuesday.
PWD Minster, Sniawbhalang Dhar was the chief guest while T Lakiang was the guest of honour.
Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills, Peter S Dkhar in his introductory address called upon each and every person to be responsible citizens.
Recalling the selfless struggle contributed by the founders of the State, S Dhar, PWD Minister, invited every citizen to have the same spirit. “Meghalaya has developed in many ways but to be at par with other states we need to have the spirit of co-operation, unity and understanding,” Dhar said.
Other highlights of the day were songs and dance performed by representatives from different localities of Jowai. Award for the Clean & Green Locality was presented to Tpep-Pale and Caroline Colony with cash prize of Rs.50,000 and Rs.25,000 respectively.
In Nongpoh, the Meghalaya Day celebration began on Tuesday with a marathon which was followed by a bike rally, badminton event (for men and women and mixed doubles), while the programmed ended with a small gathering at Science Hall, Nongpoh, which was attended by Deputy Commissioner Dr. Pooja Pandey as the chief guest.
Addressing in the gathering as the chief guest, Dr. Pandey appreciated the participants of different competition during the day which made the programme successful. Dr. Pandey reminded that it is the solemn duty of all the officers to vouch for the service of the people of the district and the State as a whole.
“Statehood does not come easily and if it is so with so much of bloodshed, but that was not so with Meghalaya. It is the duty of the people to make the State a prosperous one,” she stressed.
She also urged the officers to take a lead through their good example like discipline, difficulties and other in order to bring a change and to make Meghalaya a model state of the country.
Highlights of the day included songs and dances presentation by the youths of the district. The programme ended with the presentation of tokens of appreciation to the participants in the various events.