SHILLONG, Jan 12: State president of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), Charles Pyngrope, has stressed that the achievements of the state in the last 50 years should be highlighted in a proper way irrespective of the doing of any dispensation.
“50 years is a long time, especially for a small state like Meghalaya. It is an auspicious occasion for the people of the state,” Pyngrope said on Wednesday.
He, however, asserted that what is most important is to highlight the vision of the state in the next 50 years.
The AITC state president also suggested that the present government can seek suggestions of citizens from all walks of life besides the legislators in the state, while adding that those with experience in their own field can contribute to the potential vision in regard with the next 50 years.
“The next 50 years should not be wasted. It will also send a very good signal to the public,” Pyngrope said.
On the stakeholders’ unhappiness over the failure of the government to involve them in the preparation for the golden jubilee celebrations, Pyngrope said that as legislators they are always available if the government needs their help and even suggestions to take this programme forward.
“This is just the beginning since it would be a yearlong celebration. If they need our involvement, then the government might invite us in due course of time,” he stated.
On the decision of the government to go ahead with the celebration despite the sudden surge in the number of COVID cases, he said that if the SOPs are adhered to then life has to go on. “Having a celebration is not a new thing. But extra precautions should be put in place in view of the spread of the new variant,” he said.
It may be recalled that Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma had informed that the state government has decided to go ahead with the celebration of 50th statehood day notwithstanding the renewed threat of COVID even though the event will be organised on a much smaller scale. The CM had informed that the programme would be held at JN Sports Complex, Polo, on January 21 from 11 AM, open for only 3,000 people to attend.
The government will be sticking with the protocols of having 30 per cent attendance only during the event, he said, while adding that there will be people from across several places attending the programme.
