Our Bureau
to a government official, in Shillong on Wednesday. (ST)
SHILLONG/ TURA/ JOWAI/ NONGSTOIN/ NONGPOH/ AMPATI: The 43rd Statehood Day of Meghalaya was celebrated on Wednesday in a befitting manner with various events organized throughout the day in the city and across the State.
In its bid to make the celebrations a memorable day, the State Government on Wednesday organised a variety of events at different locations in the city and elsewhere in the State.
The celebrations began on Wednesday with the Meghalaya Day Run which started from Madan Iewrynghep and culminated at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Polo, a distance of almost 12 km. Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh flagged off the run which was participated by people of all ages and walks of life. The event was organised by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs.
Later in the day, The Directorate of Horticulture in collaboration with Shillong Agri-Horticultural Society organised a flower cum Bonsai show on the State Central Library premises. Games for children was also organised at the same venue.
The day-long celebration culminated with a Peace Concert and fireworks display at Polo Ground in the latter part of the evening. Entry to the iconic Ward’s Lake was made free on Wednesday and free boat rides for children was organised.
In Tura, the 43rd Meghalaya Day was celebrated at the DC Park, which was attended by Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs, Zenith M Sangma, as the chief guest.
During the celebration, posthumous appreciation award was presented to the kin of late Wilson K Marak and late Jenden Ch Marak for their outstanding contributions towards Achik Literature, Folk Music and Social Services in Achik culture and society.
The chief guest also distributed dustbins to Nehru Ading Locality Development Committee, the locality adopted by the Chief Minister for ‘Clean, Green and Peaceful Meghalaya’.
Earlier, United Church of Peace Forum led the gathering in a prayer for peace and harmony in Garo Hills.
It may be mentioned that the Meghalaya Day celebration was unique in itself as the celebration stretched for three days starting from January 19 based on the theme ‘Harmony: A Festival of Peace’ organized by the DIPR in collaboration with Basin Development Unit, Arts & Culture department and Tourism department.
The main attractions of the celebrations included talent show, drawing, painting and colouring competition for children, folk song, folk dance, instrumental competitions and peace concert.
The celebrations culminated with the Meghalaya Day Marathon Race organized by the district administration in collaboration with the District Sports Office on Wednesday morning.
In Jowai, a function was organised at the District Library Auditorium in which Parliamentary Secretary Coming Ymbon was the chief guest. West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner PS Dkhar welcomed the chief guest and all present to the Meghalaya Day celebration.
Highlight of the day included songs presented by Wansalan Dhar and Lynkit Lyngdoh and cultural dance performed by Presbyterian Church and Sein Raij Jowai.
The celebration was also observed in Amlarem Sub-Division where a function was organised at Syiem Jingsuk Secondary School. B. Blah, EAC, Amlarem Subdivision, presided over the function. The chief guest for the occasion was G. Dass, SDO (Civil), Amlarem Sub-Division. J. Kharpuri, EAC, Amlarem Sub-Division and G. Pde, SDSEO, Amlarem Sub-Division, also attended the programme.
Students of Syiem Jingsuk Secondary School presented the traditional dance ‘Shad Pliang’ while students of Manghairyum School presented a traditional group song.
A special 1.5 km march for ‘peace and development’ starting from the premises of Syiem Jingsuk Secondary School and culminating in the office of the SDO (Civil) was also organised on the occasion.
In Nongstoin, the Meghalaya Day celebrations was attended by MA Challam, EAC, West Khasi Hills District, S. Kharlyngdoh, Deputy Commissioner, PD Sangma, Addl. DC, WKH, B. Ranee, EAC, WKH and other district head. Special programmes were organised to mark the Statehood Day celebrations.
The Ri Bhoi District Administration also celebrated Meghalaya Day on Wednesday with various programme organized at Science Hall, Nongpoh. The programme was attended by officers from different line department including Deputy Commissioner, Pooja Pandey.
Songs and dances were presented by students of Alpha Higher Secondary School, Nongpoh and a cultural troupe from Raid Kharpati, to mark the occasion.
The 43rd Meghalaya Day was also celebrated in Ampati, South West Garo Hills with a cyclothon and other events, including a short programme at Ampati Mini Stadium.
Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh, who was the chief guest on the occasion, enlightened the crowd on the formation of the Meghalaya.
The cyclothon, which drew a large number of participation, covered a distance of 40-odd kilometers. Prizes were given away to the winners by the chief guest. Special prizes were given to the oldest (62 years) and the youngest (four and half years) participants.
Recipients of the Meghalaya Day Excellence Awards 2015
¨ Victor E Iawphniaw, Deputy Director, Directorate of Economics and Statistics
¨ Dr. Kevin D G Momin, MS Grade II, O/o The Superintendent, Tura Civil Hospital
¨ Mainora M Sangma, Assistant Deputy Controller, O/o The Deputy Controller, Civil Defense, Tura
¨ Patricia Khyriem, Superintendent, O/o The Commissioner of Labour, Meghalaya, Shillong
¨ Don Y Rymmai, Foreman, Directorate of Printing and Stationery
¨ Pyndaplin Chyne, LDA, O/o The Director General of Police, Meghalaya
¨ Tathora G Momin, UDA, O/o The Deputy Commissioner, North Garo Hills, Resubelpara
¨ Monindra Kumar Das, LDA, O/o The Superintendent, Reid Provincial Chest Hospital, Shillong
¨ Biswajit Chakraborty, LDA, O/o The Resident Commissioner, Meghalaya House, New Delhi
¨ Pimillioris Byrsat, UDA, O/o The Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills, Nongstoin
¨ Wanhunmon Nongkhlaw, Typist, Planning Board
¨ Md. Nizamuddin, Duftry, O/o The Trade Adviser and Director Movements, Govt. of Meghalaya, Kolkata
¨ Charmingstone D Momin, Peon, Planning Board
¨ Armila Mawiong, Sweeper, MATI, Shillong
¨ Paulous Wahlang, Grade IV, O/o The Superintendent, Ganesh Das Hospital, Shillong.