SHILLONG/NONGPOH/TURA: Together with the rest of the state, East Jaintia Hills, Ri Bhoi and the Garo Hills districts came together to observe the 48th Meghalaya Day on Tuesday.
East Jaintia Hills
In East Jaintia Hills, a function was held at the premises of the Deputy Commissioner’s office which was attended by Kyrmen Shylla, Minister of Social Welfare as the chief guest along with FM Dopth, Deputy Commissioner of East Jaintia Hills; DM Suja, Additional Deputy Commissioner; Hubert Kharbuki, Superintendent of Fisheries; John S Tariang, Executive Engineer, PWD Roads; and P Nongtdu, Principal of Jaintia Eastern College among others.
as part of the 48th
Meghalaya Day celebration;
Other highlights of celebration in the district included Meghalaya Day Run flagged off by the DC, cultural song by the Officers Club, cultural dance performance by the students of Jaintia Eastern College and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Rymbai.
Ri Bhoi
Meanwhile, the district administration of Ri Bhoi, also taking part in the 48th celebration of the Meghalaya Day, kicked off the Meghalaya Day Run from Saiden Village to NSCA Mini stadium Umlyngkdait.
A programme was also held at the Training Hall of DC’s office, in which DC Rosetta Mary Kurbah was the chief guest in the presence of D Phawa, ADC, the officers and staff of the DC’s office, bankers and others.
In her address, Kurbah paid her tribute to the contribution made by the leaders and the people for the creation of the state. She advised all government employees to work hard and dedicate more effort for the betterment of the district.
She also said that each and every citizen must pledge to perform their duty well, to improve their livelihood and improve their culture for sustainable livelihood.
Garo Hills celebration
Joining the row of celebrations, the occasion was observed in Garo Hills by the district administrations of different districts along with district officers, employees, senior citizens and the general public.
West Garo Hills
In Tura, the occasion was celebrated at the Tura DC park in a function organised by the district administration in which Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh was the chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Singh, while recalling the history of the formation of the state, reminded the people about the tremendous contributions of the leaders and said that everyone should lend a helping hand for the progress and development of the state.
Further, highlighting the various provisions of the Sixth Schedule areas, where indigenous community or individual land ownership is practised, he said that the people of the region, as a community, should make efforts to preserve the exotic flora and fauna and urged everyone to use the available resources judiciously and to help regenerate the forest cover for the future generations.
President, Nokma Council, Retired IGP Skylance G Momin and the Bishop of Tura, Right Reverend Bishop Andrew R Marak, recalled the leaders, who struggled for the state’s formation and for fulfilling the aspirations of the people of the region.
South West Garo Hills
In South West Garo Hills, the celebration began with the Meghalaya Day Run organised by the District Sports Office at Ampati Mini Stadium early on Tuesday morning, which was participated by hundreds of runners, both young and old.
The trophies and cash prizes to the winners of the run were given away by the Deputy Commissioner Ramkumar S and SP Rituraj Ravi during the official celebration at Ampati MFC.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Ramkumar S said that the celebration was not only about remembering the past but also about focusing on the future of the state.
He called upon the district officers and communities to try and groom people to become successful professionals in various fields and also participate in improving the education scenario in their own areas and according to their capacities.
Ampati SP Rituraj Ravi, while recalling the background of the people of the state, exhorted all the fellow officers “to do as much they can” in the service of the state and its people.
ADC, Ampati, SC Laloo; EAC, WCR Marak and BDO, Betasing, WRG Momin were among others who spoke on the occasion.
North Garo Hills
In North Garo Hills, the occasion was celebrated at District Headquarters Resubelpara.
Deputy Speaker and Resubelpara MLA Timothy D Shira, who was chief guest on the occasion, recalled the ceaseless contribution of the state’s visionary forefathers, who fought against all odds for the creation of the state.
The celebration — which was held at Dekachang Playground, Resubelpara — was jointly organised by District Administration, RKSK, Mingchengram cultural club under VAF, Salgro Music NGH under CMYDS.
The highlights of the day included the Voice of North Garo Hills finale, drum-beating competition for district officers and folk dance competition.
Earlier, Meghalaya Day Run for young and old was also held by District Sports Officer as part of the statehood day.
South Garo Hills
In South Garo Hills, the occasion was celebrated at the Deputy Commissioner’s office complex at Baghmara.
In his address, Deputy Commissioner HB Marak lauded the leaders from the state who fought tirelessly for achieving the separate state and how important it was for a tribal community to protect and safeguard their cultural identity and dialect of the region.