Our Bureau
SHILLONG/TURA/JOWAI/ NONGSTOIN: Meghalaya joined the rest of the country in celebrating Independence Day on Tuesday.
Besides Shillong where there were elaborate preparations, other places in the state too organised various programmes to mark the day. Schools, colleges, government establishments and institutions basked in the celebrations.
The State unit of BJP and the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha celebrated the 71st Independence Day in a fitting manner.
At 9 am, BJP Meghalaya President Shibun Lyngdoh hoisted the tricolour on the premises of the party’s new office building on Oakland Biver Road.
After the flag hoisting and the national anthem, Lyngdoh flagged off a bike rally organised by BJYM. Hundreds of BJYM riders rounded Shillong city to mark the 71st Independent Day.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma unfurled the national flag and took salute during the ceremonial parade held at Polo Ground.
The marching contingents included scouts and guides and school students. The horse contingent from Assam Rifles Public School in Laitkor added grandeur to the parade. The names of the recipients of Police Medal for Gallantry were also announced.
Districts take part
The Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress (MPYC) and Ri Bhoi District Youth Congress hoisted the flag at DR Memorial English School in presence of MPYC president Richard M Marak and other dignitaries.
A bike rally started from Byrnihat and culminated at Jorabat, traversing a distance of 8km.
In Jowai, for the first time the government allotted an official VIP to hoist the tricolour and take salute of 19 parade contingents at Shangpung village. Local MLA and minister Comingone Ymbon said he wanted to improve agricultural production in the state.
“I would like to call upon all residents of the state to focus more on their cultivation,” he said.
The village celebrates the day every year. This year, there were dances, patriotic and traditional songs, besides parade and drill by students of various schools.
“The Government has received a central scheme of Rs. 800 crore for electrification of all non-electrified villages in the state,” the minister said.
JHADC executive member KM Lytang and senior church leaders of the KJP Synod Mihngi were among the guests.
The celebrations in Jowai, Khliehriat and also in Amlarem sub-division were also grand. RV Lyngdoh attended the Khliehriat celebration as the chief guest and Deputy Chief Minister RC Laloo were present.
Laloo unfurled the national flag and took the salute of the 31 contingents comprising the District Police force and NCC students from Thomas Jones Synod College Scouts and Guides.
R. Rapthap, Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills, and president of Officers’ Club, handed over an ambulance to Dawki PHC.
Molibon Suting, an anganwadi worker, was felicitated and awarded cash prize of Rs 5,000 for her 23-year service at Sohpoh village.
The Jowai Officers’ Club, Sein Raij Jowai, JSU and JYF distributed food packets to inmates at District Jail and patients Civil Hospital Ialong, Norman Tunnel Hospital and St Mary’s Mazarrello Orphanage.
In Tura, Minister Deborah Marak unfurled the national flag at Dikki-Bandi Stadium in Dakopgre and took the salute of 43 Parade contingents.
West Garo Hills DC Pravin Bakshi, DIG Western Range Mukesh Singh, Superintendent of Police MG Raghavendra Kumar, newly elected CEM of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), Boston Marak and other district officials attended the function at Tura.
In Ampati, Minister for Home (Police) HDR Lyngdoh took the salute from 30 parade contingents before a gathering of over 5,000 people at Ampati Students’ Field. The final match of Monsoon Soccer Challenge, 2017, organised by Ampati Youth Welfare Club, was also played in the afternoon where Chief Minister Mukul Sangma participated as the chief guest.
At Baghmara in South Garo Hills, PHE Minister Celestine Lyngdoh unfurled the flag at District Sports Complex and at Dadenggre Civil Sub-Division, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Zenith M Sangma hoisted the tricolour.
Raksamgre and Chokpot civil sub-divisions also celebrated the occasion where Parliamentary Secretary Limison Sangma and local MLA Bluebell R Sangma were present.
In Nongstoin, minister Roshan Warjri hoisted the flag at St Peter playground. Sweets and food packets were distributed among patients of Civil Hospital and residents of S. Wolling Children’s Home, Nongpyndeng.
Speaker AT Mondal unfurled the flag and took the salute of the 18 parade contingents at Mawkyrwat.
At Sohra Civil Sub-Division, minister Ampareen Lyngdoh hoisted the flag.
At Pynursla Civil Sub-Division, legislator AL Hek unfurled the national flag.
Men in uniform celebrate
The Central Reserve Police Force celebrated the day at North-Eastern Sector Headquarters in Shillong. IGP Prakash D addressed the ceremony.
He congratulated all officers, men and their families.
The IGP encouraged officers and reminded them the sacrifice of soldiers who received gallantry awards. The President has announced 123 medals for CRPF jawans.The North Eastern Police Academy at Umsaw organised programmes like parade, rally and cultural events on the day.
During the investiture ceremony, some of the officials of NEPA were given ‘Director’s Commendation Disc (Silver)’ and ‘Director’s Commendation Certificate’ and cash reward in recognition of their remarkable service.
A friendly football match was also organised between police trainees and staff versus students of Union Christian College. The students of Union Christian College won the match.
The celebrations of the Border Security Force Frontier Headquarters started with flag hoisting by DIG Sabu A Joseph at Ward’s Lake.
The crowd-puller was a demonstration by the BSF dog squad. Arms used by the border sentinels were on display for visitors and later a documentary was screened.
The BSF jazz and brass bands performed and despite the rain, there were innumerable visitors.
Students of BSF Senior Secondary School also participated in the programme.
Youths’ role
Educational institutes in Shillong and other parts of the state celebrated the day. Students and teachers of BBS College, NCC cadets and NSS volunteers organised a colourful event.
The security personnel at IIM Shillong held a march past. Director Amitabha De talked about empowering students by incorporating a deeper sense of responsibility. “The future of the nation rests on analysing where we stand today and where we envision ourselves to be,” he said.
Local clubs and sporting organisations also participated in various programems.
The celebrations at Nongthymmai Sports and Cultural Club in Shillong were attended by local MLA Jemino Mawthoh, MDCs Latiplang Kharkongor and A.B Mawkhiew, among others. The club also reopened its indoor stadium which was closed for renovation.
Mawthoh announced a work order of Rs 1.2 lakh for the development of sports in the area.
A football match was held between members of the club and member of the Badminton Committee and the former defeated the latter 6-5.
Students of Khrawsing Christian College in Mawngap performed skits. Principal B. Kharkongor addressed the gathering and the events concluded with the benediction by Rev. P. Thabah, member of the governing body.
Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan in association with Metallica-Sargam Sports and Cultural Club in Shillong and Gandhi Buniyadi Secondary School celebrated Independence Day with Swachhata Fortnight.
Besides the cleaning drive, there were cultural events, recitation and essay-writing competitions.
Montford Centre for Education won the first prize in the district level cultural programme at Diki-Bandhi Stadium.
SPARK celebrated Independence Day with underprivileged children. The objective was to provide them a platform to express themselves.
The 300-odd participants comprised rag pickers, domestic helps, working children, street children, school dropouts and other under-privileged children from East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts.
Award
Deepankar Choudhury, state head of GVK EMRI 108 EMS Meghalaya, received District Appreciation Award for exemplary service to community in providing quick and emphatic response to people in need of medical attention.
Also at Polo ground in Shillong, the chief minister also handed over the District Appreciation Award to Nancy M. Shadap, Superintendent, Government Shelter Home Girls, Shillong, for her dedication to duty and Dorbar Shnong Mawshbuit for its sustained efforts in keeping the popular tourist spot Sweet Falls clean.
Sangma handed over the state-level awards and district incentive awards to anganwadi workers. The awardees were Icylda War of Umlyngka Lumpongdeng Anganwadi Centre, Mylliem ICDS project and Aiesty Nongrum of Dewsaw Pathaw Anganwadi Centre, Pynursla ICDS project of East Khasi Hills District.
Events were organised at NEIGRIHMS too. MBBS and nursing students performed patriotic songs.
The Monitoring Cum Implementation Committee of South Shillong constituency organised a get-together at Jhalupara cantonment area. The chief guest was MLA Sanbor Shullai.
The officers and staff of Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) celebrated the day at its headquarters at Lum Jingshai.
Additional Chief Secretary and Chairman-cum-MD PS Thangkhiew hoisted the national flag.