Women empowerment, environment in focus on M-Day

NONGPOH/NONGSTOIN/TURA/MAWKYRWAT: The 47th Meghalaya Day was celebrated with fervour in different districts.
Each district planned an array of events to commemorate the day. In Nongpoh, Deputy Commissioner RM Kurbah focused on empowerment of women as the day coincided with the weeklong Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme.
Apart from speaking on education and social equality, Kurbah encouraged women to choose institutional delivery to reduce infant mortality rate. She also exhorted people to value tradition and culture.
In West Khasi Hills, Deputy Commissioner T Lyngwa highlighted the development post statehood. He called upon government functionaries to dedicate and work sincerely for the development of the district.
South West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo said at a function in Mawkyrwat, “We are very lucky to get to celebrate two important dates in history in one week in which there will be many events in this week long celebration which include traditional archery, quiz, extempore speech, dancing competitions.” Laloo spoke about the need of preservation and conservation of our language.
In Tura, the occasion was celebrated at DC Park where West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh graced the occasion as chief guest. The celebrations kicked off with a cleaning drive.
Singh, who has taken up several measures to make Tura clean and green, said the state is blessed with stunning landscape and scenic beauty and this should be protected. He also advised against plastic pollution.
During the function, Gloria R Marak was awarded in recognition for social service, women empowerment and SHG mobilisation while Dr Vidyanisth Marak was awarded for social service and protection and promotion of traditional medicine. In North Garo Hills, Home Minister James Sangma graced the occasion as the chief guest. “As a State we must take pride in the fact that it has given great leaders to this nation and therefore it is imperative that all individuals self-introspect to see how far one has come, what are the achievements and take pride in them,” he said.
In Ampati in South West Garo Hills, the occasion was celebrated in a befitting manner where cultural dances, a prayer song for the state and its people and cutting of Meghalaya Day cake marked the official celebration at Ampati Multi-Facility Centre. The celebration was attended by the district officers, senior citizens, government employees, teachers and students.
In Williamnagar, the occasion was observed at the DRDA Conference Hall with the theme ‘Clean East Garo Hills’ where local MLA Marcuise N Marak was the Chief Guest while GHADC Chairman Denang T Sangma was the guest of honour.