By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 21: As Meghalaya celebrated its 51st Statehood Day, the founding fathers of the state found mention in prayers during a programme held at U Soso Tham auditorium here on Saturday.
Governor BD Mishra, who attended the programme as chief guest, said Meghalaya’s statehood movement was a genuine and hard-pursued people’s movement and “in spite of numerous challenges, the united efforts of the visionary leaders and the aspirations of the people for the recognition of their traditions and values, secured this beautiful state which we can call our own”.
The Governor paid homage to the sacrifices made by forebears and leaders such as BB Lyngdoh, Edwin Bareh, Captain WA Sangma, HS Lyngdoh, Prof GG Swell, Stanley Nichols Roy, H Hynniewta, Wilson Reade, Prof RS Lyngdoh and others in their noble pursuit to preserve the sacred heritage – their land, culture, traditions, language, history, rights and self-rule.
“It is due to their vision and determination that today we have our own government to realise our own aspirations,” he said.
Extending his greetings to the people of the state, the Governor reminded them how 51 years ago, the late Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, had presided over the historic function of the creation of the full-fledged state of Meghalaya at Polo ground, Shillong.
He said, “This fulfilled the long-cherished political aspirations of the people of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills.”
Urging the residents to remember that they are the promoters of the process that will shape the future of mankind, Mishra said Shillong has been an important centre for education in the Northeastern region, while also pointing out that the government has initiated the upgrade of schools.
Recalling the strides made by the state in the past 51 years, the Governor said Meghalaya has made good progress in agriculture, tourism, power generation, education, information technology and utilisation of mineral resources and also reiterated the government’s commitment to wisely use the state’s resources and to revolutionise the administrative machineries in order to make Meghalaya a role model of all-round development.
He also congratulated all the Meghalaya Day Excellence Awardees for their meritorious services to the public.
Chief Secretary DP Wahlang, who was the guest of honour, said that the state of Meghalaya was a befitting culmination of long years of non-violent, persistent and united struggle of the people. He recalled that on January 21, 1972, the long preserved culture, language, the love for soulful music, indigenous food and traditions representing tribal hopes, dreams and aspirations received a major fillip as Meghalaya came into existence as a full-fledged state.
Wahlang also emphasised on the initiatives taken by the government to address the challenges faced by the state and also to improve in the field of education, health, rural development, agriculture, mobile connectivity and power sector.
During the programme, Governor Mishra handed over the Meghalaya Day Excellence Awards 2022 to 18 government officials for their meritorious services to the public, and distributed the prizes among the winners of the Meghalaya Day Run organised by the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs.
The award winner for U Tirot Sing Award 2023 in the field of Arts and Culture was Sweetymon Rynjah, while the Pa Togan N Sangma Award 2023 for Social Service was conferred upon Dr Jennifer V Basaiawmoit and U Kiang Nangbah Award 2023 for Sports on Klingson D Marak.
The Governor Police Medals for meritorious service in 2023 were also announced. The awardees included Additional Superintendent of Police, Shabbir Sayeed Dkhar, MPS, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSB), Vincent Nengminza Sangma, MPS, UBSI, Iailamlang Iongi Jyrwa, UBSI, Sean Stanford Lywait, WPSI, Renu D Momin, Havildar, Mewan Roy Pakma, Havildar Amplias Synnah, BN/975 Alphonse Lyngdoh and Fireman, Pyarson R Marak.