SHILLONG: The state celebrated the 72nd Independence Day with hoisting of flags and other cultural programmes on Wednesday.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma unfurled the Tricolour and took the Rashtriya Salute of the ceremonial parade held at Polo Ground.
During the official function, the Chief Minister handed over the Pa Togan N Sangma Award for Social Services to Bertha Gyndykes Dkhar, U Tirot Sing Award for Art and Literature to Handam R Marak and U Kiang Nangbah Award for Sports and Games to Aiborlang Khongjee.
He also handed over the Best Performing Traffic Police Personnel Award for East Khasi Hills to Inspector Utpal Das Gupta, in-charge of Sadar Traffic Branch, Inspector Swapan Das Gupta, in-charge of Mawlai Traffic Branch, SI John Bankerlang Tongwah of Laitumkhrah Traffic Branch, SI Tikaram Chettri of Sadar Traffic Branch and SI Bumper Warjri of Lumdiengjri Traffic Branch.
Pre-independence event
Pre-Independence Day celebration was held on Tuesday at Diengkynthong School, Laitkroh Block, organised by AROH (A Ray of Hope) Foundation for 12 villages.
AROH organised the first inter-school parade competition, village level cleaning drive competition, cultural programmes and flying of tricolour balloons.
The BDO, who was the chief guest, asked the school authority to organise such programme every year.
HS Kharpran, divisional officer of Soil and Water Conservation Department, who was the guest of honour, motivated the students and explained the meaning of Independence Day.
W Mawthoh, Advisor of the Pay for Right Youth Club also spoke.
She narrated the struggle of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, U Tirot Sing, U Kiang Nongbah and Phan Nonglait.
KR Mawthoh, Project Manager Aroh Foundation, spoke about the aims and objectives of the NGO towards holistic rural development of the 12 villages. The programme was followed by prize distribution.
The winners of the inter school parade competition: Diengkynthong LP and UP School (1st prize), Lamjingshai LP and UP School, Umtyngngar (2nd Prize), Lamshaphrang Seng Kynthei School, Lumkyntung (3rd Prize).
The winner of the inter-village cleaning drive competition were Umlympung, 12 Mer AEC (1st prize), Mawjrong AEC (2nd prize), Mawkalang Village (3rd prize).
AROH Foundation has been working towards holistic rural development in 12 villages of Khatarshnong Laitkroh block under the CSR initiative of HDFC Bank since 2015.
Other districts
Meanwhile, the districts in the region celebrated Independence Day on Wednesday by hoisting flags and organising cultural events.
Health Minister AL Hek accompanied by local MLA Macmillan Byrsat visited the patients in Civil Hospital, Nongstoin, after flag hoisting and inspected the ongoing construction of the new building.
At Sohra civil sub-division, Fisheries Minister Comingone Ymbon, unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of the marching contingents.
In Pynursla, chairman of the State Planning Board Lambor Malngiang unfurled the national flag.
In Nongpoh, Urban Affairs Minister Hamlet Dohling, unfurled the flag at Pahamsyiem playground.
West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh unfurled the flag at Dikki-Bandi Stadium and took the Rashtriya Salute of 38 Marching Contingents.
In Ampati, the occasion was celebrated in the district headquarter and three C&RD blocks of South West Garo Hills in a befitting manner.
The day’s celebration included colourful cultural show, sports and games for children, distribution of food packets to patients of Ampati Civil Hospital, exhibition football match between Ampati veterans and DC XI and final match of Monsoon Cup, 2018 played by Brinbawe FC vs Chelipara FC.
The day was celebrated in Williamnagar at Rongrenggre Government Higher Secondary School playground where Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong unfurled the Tricolor and took the rashtriya salute of 32 strong parade contingents.
In Baghmara, it was Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Banteidor Lyngdoh who unfurled the tricolor and took the Rashtriya Salute of 22 marching contingents comprising of Meghalaya Police, BSF, scouts and guides and students from different schools in the town.
Resubelpara in North Garo Hills also joined in the celebration at Mini Stadium Resubelpara where PHE Minister, Samlin Malngiang unfurled the tricolor and took the rashtriya salute from 29 marching contingents.
Awards and certificates for best performing Village Enterprises and Common Service centres were also given by the IT department on the occasion.
At Ranikor civil sub division, HS Diengdoh, SDO (Civil) Ranikor, unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute. At Patharkhmah administrative unit, local MLA S Sohtun unfurled the flag at Patharkhmah Government Higher Secondary School playground. As part of the celebration a friendly football match was played between Byrnihat SC and Western Ri Bhoi SC.
At Mawshynrut civil sub division local MLA Gigur Myrthong unfurled the flag. Other programmes included cultural items, prize distribution and distribution of gift packets to persons with disabilities.
BSF & CRPF celebrate
Border Security Force Frontier Headquarters, Meghalaya, celebrated the day at Umpling, Mawpat and Dobasipara. While addressing BSF men at Umpling Camp Inspector General congratulated all recipients of “Police Medal for Meritorious Service”(PMMS) on the occasion of 72nd Independence Day-2018. BSF Senior Secondary School, BSF Primary School and Ankur Play School also celebrated Independence Day by organising cultural programmes, a statement issued on Thursday said.
The day was celebrated at O/O The Inspector General of Police, North Eastern Sector, CRPF, Shillong. Prakash D, IPS, IGP hoisted the flag. In the evening ‘Barakhana’ was organised.
Celebrating diversity and free thinking
Indian Institute of Management, Shillong, organised hoisting of the national flag and march past by the security officials.
Addressing the assembled fraternity at large, IIM Shillong’s Director Keya Sengupta said, “The Independence Day should not be just a ritual anymore. In this way we will not be able to give respect to our martyrs. Have we gained independence from poverty, illiteracy, corruption? Until we attain independence from these we haven’t gained full independence,” she said.
“I’m glad to be part of an Institute that celebrates the values of equality, diversity and free thinking as much as our great nation,” said a student present at the gathering.
The general secretary of Shillong Muslim Union, Sayeedulla Nongrumn, who is also the president of the governing body of Umshyrpi College, hoisted the Tricolour on Wednesday. The college also organised marathon-run for peace. Both students and staff participated.
The students and teachers of Hill View Secondary School celebrated the day by flag hoisting by the Commandant of Assam Regimental Center, Brigadier RK Gaikwad. A cultural programme was organised in the school.
Lion’s Club
Lion’s Club of Shillong celebrated Independence Day at Lion’s Vocational cum Training Institute at Laban, in which, President of the Club Lion Dilip Bose hoisted the flag. Food packets were distributed at Shanti Bhavan Old Home Shillong.
The club in collaboration with the Department of Forest and Conservation and Meehen Infratech organised a massive tree plantation at Ladmawphlang, Sohra, in which over 700 trees were planted.
