SHILLONG/TURA/NONGPOH/MONGSTOIN/MAWKYRWAT: Along with the rest of the country, the 73rd Independence Day was celebrated across the state on Thursday.
East Khasi Hills
In the state capital Shillong, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of 26 Parade Contingents which included sifferent schools and defence personnel.
The other highlights of the day include cultural programmes, Independence Day Run, free cinema shows, fishing competition at Ward’s Lake, distribution of food packages by NGOs, variety show, music, dance, food court, vintage car rally among others.
Meanwhile, at Sohra Civil Sub-Division, Meghalaya Deputy Speaker Timothy D. Shira unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of the marching contingents.
At Pynursla Civil Sub-Division, Chairman, Meghalaya Handloom & Handicraft Development Corporation Ltd, S.Sohtun unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of 15 parade contingents.
West Khasi Hills
At Nongstoin, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya salute of 22 parade contingents comprising of Meghalaya Police, NCC and school students at St Peter’s Higher Secondary School playground, Pyndengrei, Nongstoin.
Other highlights of the day were the Independence Day Run, cultural programmes, prize distribution. Eatables packets were also distributed to the patients of Nongstoin Civil Hospital, St. Peter’s Green Pasteur Orphanage, Pyndengrei, S.Wollington Children’s Home, Nongpyndeng & Shelter Homes for Boys & Girls, Mondein New-Nongstoin.
At Mairang Civil Sub Division, Government Chief Whip Marcuise N. Marak unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of the 27 marching contingents comprising of the Meghalaya Police, NCC Junior Wing, Bharat Scouts & Guides and Schools at Madan Dommawlum.
At Mawshynrut Civil Sub-Division, Chairman, Meghalaya State Housing Board, Gigur Myrthong unfurled the national flag and took the Rastriya Salute of 17 parade contingents comprising of Police and the school students at Riangdo playground.
At Ranikor Civil Sub-Division, Chairman, Meghalaya Resource & Employment Generation Council, Pius Marwein unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of 9 parade contingents comprising of Meghalaya Police and schools at Nolikata Secondary School playground.
South West Khasi Hills
At Mawkyrwat, Tourism Minister Metbah Lyngdoh unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of the marching contingents comprising of 16 schools, Scouts & Guides of Nativity Higher Secondary School, NCC of Sngap Syiem College, Pipe Band of Meghalaya Home Guards and Police at Maharam Higher Secondary School, Mawkyrwat.
Ri Bhoi
At Nongpoh, Health & Family Welfare Minister AL Hek unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute at the impressive march-past of 28 contingents including the police, NCC Cadre, Scouts & Guides, students from different educational institutions of Nongpoh and a band troop of St. Paul’s Hr. Sec School, Nongpoh. A football match was alkso organised at Umroi football ground.
At Patharkhmah Administrative Unit, Chairman, Mawmluh Cherra Cement Ltd., Brolding Nongsiej unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute.
The day was also celebrated in a befitting manner at different venues set up at different districts all across the Garo Hills region.
West Garo Hills
In Tura, it was Meghalaya Education Minister Lakmen Rymbui who hoisted the national flag at the Dikki-Bandi Stadium in Dakopgre and took the Rashtriya Salute of 39 strong Marching Contingents comprising of 2nd MLP Battalion Goeragre, Tura DEF, District Home Guard Volunteers, National Cadet Corps Boys and Girls, Scouts Troop, Guide Company, Bulbul Pack, Cub Pack and Band Party from 2nd MLP Battalion, Goeragre. The marching contingents were led by Parade Commander John Clitzer A Sangma, Deputy Superintendent of Police from West Garo Hills.
During the function, Rymbui presented the Award of Recognition for Service Delivery in Education Sector to Gredishing D Marak who is presently the Headmaster serving in Meghalaya Survey School, Tura. The toppers of SSLC and HSSLC Examinations 2019 from Garo Hills region were also felicitated during the celebration by the chief guest. He also conferred the Award of Recognition for Promotion of Organic Value Added Products and Women Entrepreneurship to Baldilla T Sangma of Gambegre Block, Fedirasteplina Ch Marak of Selsella Block, Senoritha M Sangma from Selsella and Award of Recognition for Integrated Organic Farming and Livelihood Promotion to Baljendro N Marak from Tikrikilla and Award of Recognition for Inspirational Cyclist, Youth Icon for Sports and Conservation of Nature to Winward Sangma.
At Dadenggre Civil Sub-Division, Chairman, Forest Development Corporation of Meghalaya, S. G. Esmatur Mominin unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute.
At Raksamgre Civil Sub-Division, Chairman, Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation, Brening A. Sangma unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of the marching contingents comprising of 2nd MLP Battalion and students of various schools at Raksamgre playground.
North Garo Hills
In Resubelpara of North Garo Hills district, the day was celebrated at the district’s mini stadium where Minister for Social Welfare, Revenue and Disaster Management, Kyrmen Shylla, unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtrya Salute amidst the presence of a huge crowd.
East Garo Hills
The occasion was also celebrated at Rongrenggre Government Higher Secondary School Playground in Williamnagar of East Garo Hills District.
South Garo Hills
In South Garo Hills, the occasion was observed at the District Sports Playground in Baghmara where Minister for Public Health Engineering, Secretariat Administration etc unfurled the national flag and took Rashtriya Salute.
At Chokpot Civil Sub- Division, Co-Chairman, Meghalaya State Planning Board, Benedict Marak unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute.
South West Garo Hills
Ampati in South West Garo Hills also observed the day in the district headquarter and the three blocks of South West Garo Hills in full patriotic fervour on Thursday.
During the ceremonial function at Ampati Students’ Field amidst a large gathering, Minister for Agriculture Banteidor Lyngdoh unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute before the 35 parade contingents consisting of Ampati DEF, Scouts & Guides and school contingents.
In Jaintia Hills, the locals showed the equivalent zeal and energy in celebrating the day along with rest of the country.
West Jaintia Hills
At Jowai, Fisheries Minister Comingone Ymbon unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of 33 contingent. The highlights of the celebration include patriotic songs and dances.
At Amlarem Civil Sub-Division, Chairman of Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation Ltd., Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of the parade contingents. Other highlights of the programme include fancy dress competition, prize distribution to the winners of march-past, cultural programme, dances and songs. Meritorious students were also felicitated during the programme.
East Jaintia Hills
At Khliehriat, Urban Affairs Minister Hamletson Dohling unfurled the national flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of the 21 parade contingents. Other highlights of the celebration include cultural dance, songs by different schools of the district and the Biate Youth Welfare Association.
