SHILLONG: A village in West Jaintia Hills celebrated Independence day on Friday in a unique way after decades thanks t to the initiative of the parents of the disabled children of the area.
There were neither VIPs nor the representatives of the Government on the occasion as the programme was organised for the people and by the people.
Kyndongtuber village celebrated the 68th Independence day by organising a series of programmes at the village under Laskein Block, Jowai, West Jaintia Hills district.
The function was organised by Laskein Block Parents Association for the disabled as authorised by the Deputy Commissioner of West Jaintia Hills district P S Dkhar.
While a meeting on the occasion was chaired by the elder Dawnipaia Pakma, the keynote address was delivered by Showtheway Pakma ,the General Secretary of Laskein Block Parents Association for Disabled .
Earlier, S.Sushiang, the Chief Guest from Thadmuthlong hoisted the flag and the national anthem was sung by the students as well as the people of the village.
Due to heavy rain, march past could not be held on the occasion.
Amstrong Shylla representing the Village Executive Committee of Kyndongtuber said that the celebration was held for the first time after decades and added that he was very much glad to have such a great opportunity to speak at the function about Independence of India and to recollect about the sacrifice of people in the past.
He also said that the village will continue to celebrate the Independence day every year.
Awards were also presented to three disabled students by the Chief Guest. The awardees were . Seoris Kyndait who is visually impaired and second year BA student from Bathany Society, Shillong, Allbim Shylla, a hearing and speech impaired, and class VII student of Upper Primary School, Kyndongtuber , and Tyngshian Phai, a locomotor and class IV student of New Hope English School at Kyndongtuber Village.
There was a debate competition among the public on the topic ‘benefits of India’s Independence’ , and it saw the participation of 10 perons , five for the motion and five against.
The debate was held almost for an hour, and the participants who were for the motion included Yoolang Dhar, Dowillen Lyngdoh, Hoping Phai, Ker Dame Pakma, Juliana Pakma, and those who were agains the motion were Pyllang Shyrmang, Saibok Dkhar, Kheinkor Stone Pakma, Keeping Stone Pakma, and Lyntipdianghun Pakma.
The judges were Benefit Shylla, Flora Phai, Tira Shylla, Showtheway Pakma, Molin Shylla and the moderator was Rev. Heiporuni Phai.The Chief Guest S. Sushiang, Rev. Heiporuni Phai, and Keeping Stone Pakma, a student of Class XI, from Kiang Nongbah College, Jowai also spoke on the occasion.
When contacted, West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner PS Dkhar lauded the efforts of the villagers in organising the programme.
He said that the district administration would provide all the necessary support next year for organising the celebration in a bigger way.