TURA: The 74th Independence Day was celebrated on Saturday all across Garo Hills although the celebration was low key in all the districts in view of the ongoing Covid-19 situation.
In Tura, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh hoisted the National Flag at P A Sangma Stadium, Dakopgre and took the Rashtriya Salute of Parade Contingents comprising of Tura DEF and 2nd MLP Battalion, Goeragre which was led by Parade Commander John Clitzer A Sangma, Deputy Superintendent of Police, West Garo Hills, Tura. It may be mentioned that due to Covid-19 pandemic the celebration was organised with minimum participation.
Project Director & ADC, Tura C N Sangma, West Garo Hills Additional Deputy Commissioners Dr. Rezina Ch Marak, Rezia Ch Sangma, EACs, Dimse A Sangma, Tennystar R Marak, Superintendent of Police, West Garo Hills, Dr. M G Raghavendra Kumar, Heads of few selected departments were present at the function.
While addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Chief Guest Ram Singh paid homage to our nation builders like Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who contributed to the Country’s independence. He also mentioned about the sacrifices and contribution of our own patriots and other unsung heroes.
During the function, the Chief Guest also announced the launching of District Level Nasha Mukt Campaign in West Garo Hills District which will be followed by a month long campaign including awareness programmes and other activities.
Speaking on the Covid-19 situation in the district, he informed that a testing centre has been set up in Tura Civil Hospital and so far about 1800 Covid Testing Machines, and other testing facilities are available which have help in increasing the number of sample testing from 30 to 1000 samples a day.
The Chief Guest also expressed his gratitude to all the health and frontline workers of Covid-19 for their selfless service to the people and to all Locality Covid Committee Members who have extended their support and cooperation to fight against Covid pandemic. He also mentioned that the Government of Meghalaya had issued provision kits for the returnees during their quarantine period and an amount of Rs. 10,000/- was also given to each locality community quarantine centre in the district as financial assistance.
The Chief Guest also mentioned that amid the pandemic various Government developmental schemes are also being implemented in the district where the agriculture department in collaboration with banks and NRLM has been trying to enrol farmers with Kisan Credit Card besides other developmental activities are being implemented in other sectors like roads, education, and other departments.
During the function, the Chief Guest presented the Certificate of Appreciation Award for the Frontline Workers comprising of the team of Medical Officers, Staff Nurses, Technician, Pharmacist, Attendants at Corona Care Centre, Walbakgre for their dedication and commitment in supporting patient care and other workers in different fields.
In Williamnagar, the occasion was observed at the Rongrenggre Government Higher Secondary School with the unfurling of the National Tri-colour by Deputy Commissioner, Swapnil Tembe. In Williamnagar as well the highlights of the celebration included felicitation of COVID-19 frontline workers like medical staff, police personnel, volunteers from Bharat Scouts and Guides, Williamnagar Municipal Board staff, IDSP team, ASHAs, Anganwadi workers, etc.
Resubelpara in North Garo Hills also held a low key observance of the occasion where District Deputy Commissioner, S C Sadhu unfurled the National Flag and took the Rashtrya Salute.
Speaking on the occasion, Sadhu highlighted the immense contributions made by the great sons and daughters of India like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and many others whose leadership helped give birth to the world’s largest democracy and the contributions of the patriots of our own State, U Tirot Sing, U Kiang Nangbah, Pa Togan Sangma and of their selflessness and steadfast devotion to the cause of freedom.
A felicitation of Covid Warriors, presentation of awards and certificates for best performing Anganwadi, ANM and ASHA workers was also held on the occasion.
In ampati of South West Garo Hills, the occasion although low key was observed in a befitting manner in the district headquarter and all the three blocks of South West Garo Hills participated with mandatory social distancing in view of COVID-19 pandemic.
A ceremonial function to mark the occasion was held at Ampati Students’ Field, where the Deputy Commissioner, Shri Ashish M. Sangma unfurled the National Flag and took the Rashtriya salute before the Guard of Honour by the District Police. In his address to the gathering he recalled the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters and also spelt out the developmental programmes and activities of the government amidst the pandemic.
As part of the celebration, the District Administration gave away the COVID Warrior certificates of appreciation in recognition of the hard work and efforts of all the frontline workers in the district, including the District medical team, District police, executive magistrates, Transport department, PHE & Swachh Bharat Mission team, Disaster Management team, ASHAs & Anganwadi workers, St. Claret Mission and A∙chik Baptist Krima No.VI Pastoral Forum Representation, among many others.
Poshan Abhiyaan Awards was also presented to the block level functionaries, namely the Anganwadi worker, Anganwadi helper, ASHA, ANM and Lady supervisor of Dorgapara Anganwadi Centre in recognition of efforts and contribution towards raising awareness on malnutrition.
The occasion was observed in South Garo Hills at district headquarters Baghmara where Chief Guest and Deputy Commissioner, H B Marak unfurled the National Flag.
On the occasion, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Campaign was launched for the district and a felicitation of Covid-19 warriors in appreciation of their roles in different fields also took place.