SHILLONG: As curtains drew on the 44th Meghalaya Day celebrations here on Thursday, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma urged the people to shun violence and initiate an era of peace to fulfill the aspirations of the State.
Speaking as Chief Guest on the occasion, the Chief Minister urged the people to follow the footsteps of the prominent figures who struggled to achieve statehood by initiating peaceful dialogue.
“In a democratic system, people do not have to resort to violence to fulfill their aspirations and the leaders have shown the way to achieve the purpose and aspirations through peaceful means,” Sangma said while addressing a gathering of people from different walks of life who converged at U Soso Tham Auditorium on Thursday.
He added that it is time the State moved ahead with optimism and fought the problem of poverty and backwardness in order to contribute to the nation as a whole.
On the occasion, the e-District Services under East Khasi Hills was also launched by the Chief Minister. e-District Services is one of the 31 Mission Mode Projects under National e-Governance Plan with the Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India. This Mission Mode Project aims at electronic delivery of identified high volume citizen-centric services at district and sub-divisional level.
The Chief Minister also conferred the Meghalaya Day Excellence Award to 15 government employees from across the state in recognition of their performance and outstanding achievements. The award carried a citation with a cash award of Rs 20,000 for each awardee.
The recipients of the Meghalaya Day Excellence Award 2015 were, Borbah Khongwir, E Y Chen, Lamjingshaihun Shabong, Geraldine M Laitflang, Albert Myrchiang, Kenny Ch Marak, Surajit Dey, Moonstar Kharmihpen, Purelinda Lungdoh Nongbri, Prem Bahadur Sarki, Anjalie N Sangma, Betterson D Sangma, Ranjit Kumar Roy, Nirmal Kr Samal and Jemsforth Marak.
Meanwhile, prizes were also distributed to the winners of cultural programmes.
Other highlights of the day included a seasonal flower show, mini carnival for children, food festival, rock concert for peace and a colourful fireworks display in the evening.
Meanwhile in Jowai a similar programme was also held at the District library
auditorium, Mynthong. Parliamentary Secretary in charge Horticulture
& Legal Metrology Department, Robinus Syngkon graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
On the occasion, awards were given to the cleanest locality in Jowai for 2015-2016 under the Chief Minister’s Youth for green Campaign. Khimusniang was awarded a cash prize of Rs. 25,000 while Caroline Colony and Mynthong were given Rs.15, 000 and Rs.10,000 respectively.
At Amlarem sub-division, the celebration was held at Enowel Hall.
In Ri Bhoi, a function was held at Science Hall, Nongpoh in the presence of Parliamentary Secretary Celestine Lyngdoh and Deputy Commissioner, Pooja Pandey among others.
In Tura the celebration was held at DC Park. Parliamentary Secretary in charge Urban Affairs, Noverfield R Marak was the chief guest on the occasion.
Officials from various departments, awardees, church leaders, senior citizens among others attended the function organised by the district administration.
Mawkyrwat also observed Meghalaya Day in an official gathering at the multipurpose hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s office. As part of observation of 44 years of attainment of Statehood an open to all marathon was also organized by the office of the Deputy Commissioner, South West Khasi Hills in collaboration with the District Sports Officer, Mawkyrwat.
