SHILLONG, Jan 27: Unfurling of Tricolour, presentation of awards, colourful display of tableaux and cultural extravaganza were some of the activities that reigned supreme on Thursday as Meghalaya joined the nationwide celebrations of 74th Republic Day.
In East Khasi Hills, Governor BD Mishra unfurled the Tricolour and took the salute of the marching contingents comprising CRPF, East Khasi Hills DEF, 1st MLP Battalion, SF-10, Indian Reserve Battalion from Arunachal Pradesh, NCC Boys and Girls, Indian Red Cross Society, Unitarian Higher Secondary School-Puriang, JNV-Mawphlang and Brass Band of Border Wing Home Guards, during a programme at Polo Grounds, Shillong.
During the event, President’s Home Guards & Civil Defence Medal for meritorious service was also conferred upon Havildar Homesingh Khongjoh (HG), Havildar Bipul Khongwir (HG), Havildadr Ambrush A Sangma (HG) and Senior Staff Officer (CD) Pynkhambor Harris Khongsngi.
Similarly, the President’s Police Medal for distinguished service was conferred upon Prodenson Sangma, Havildar, 1st MLP Bn, Mawiong while Police Medal for meritorious service was conferred upon Upendra Mothey, ABSI, 2nd MLP Bn, Goeragre; Kolan Swer, Havildar and Ram Bahadur Sonar, ABC/32, Tura.
The Governor, during the programme, also handed over the U Tirot Sing Award 2023 for Arts and Culture to Sweetymon Rynjah, Pa Togan N Sangma Award 2023 for Social Service to Dr Jennifer V Basaiawmoit and U Kiang Nangbah Award 2023 for Sports to Klingson D Marak.
Other highlights of the celebration include cultural programme and presentation of tableaux by the AH & Veterinary Department, DCIC-East Khasi Hills, Dairy Development, MSSDS, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Social Welfare department, Meghalayan Age Limited, Horticulture department, Fisheries department, Soil & Water Conservation department, Forest & Environment department and District Basin Development Unit-East Khasi Hills.
The award for best tableau was given away to the Horticulture department.
A similar programme to mark the day was also organised at the High Court of Meghalaya and was attended by Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee as the chief guest.
During the programme, the Chief Justice unfurled the Tricolour.
A similar programme was organised at the Regional Office for Health & Family Welfare, MOH&FW, Dhankheti, during which Dr. L Somorendra Singh, CHS, Sr. RD, ROH&FW Shillong, unfurled the Tricolour and felicitated three best-performing staff.
SPARK, a Shillong-based NGO, also celebrated the day with the underprivileged children from East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi.
“There were more than 300 children attending the programme in all the centres of SPARK namely Motphran, Mawlong, Mawlynrei, Pongkung and Rangmen,” a statement in this regard said.
Some of the highlights of the programme include unfurling of the Tricolour, singing of the National Anthem, and other cultural activities performed by the children.
During the programme, children were also sensitised on the essence of the day and were encouraged to actively participate in the process of nation-building.
In West Garo Hills, Deputy Commissioner Swapnil Tembe unfurled the National Flag and took the salute of 10 parade contingents during a programme at Matchakolgre L P School Playground, New Tura.
Some of the highlights of the day include presentation of tableaux by different departments, handing over of Certificates of Appreciation to the officers and staff of various departments, felicitation of SSLC and HSSLC toppers as well as individuals of the district.
In East Garo Hills, Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Chelani unfurled the Tricolour and took the salute of 20 contingents at Rongrenggiri Govt. Higher Secondary School playground, Williamnagar. Some highlights of the celebration include tableau presentation and games and sports for children.
In South West Garo Hills, Deputy Commissioner Gideon Kharmawphlang unfurled the Tricolour and took the salute of the 11 parade contingents comprising Meghalaya Police, NCC and Scouts & Guides during a programme at Ampati Mini Stadium.
During the celebrations, police personnel and government employees from various departments were conferred with Appreciation Certificates for their services.(Contd on P-9)
Meghalaya joins…
(Contd from P-5) Other highlights of the day-long celebration include tableau presentation, cultural programme by various schools and cultural groups, sporting activities for children and an exhibition football match.
In North Garo Hills, Deputy Commissioner RP Marak unfurled the Tricolour and took the salute of the 14 Parade contingents during a programme at Resubelpara Mini Stadium.
Other highlights of the day include presentation of awards to best-performing PHC and Sub-Centre as well as cultural programmes.
In South Garo Hills, Deputy Commissioner S Awasthi unfurled the Tricolour and took the salute of 10 marching contingents comprising BSF, Meghalaya Police and schools from Baghmara.
During the celebration, which was held at Baghmara, Certificates of Appreciation were handed over to the best-performing employees of the district. Cleanest localities of the district, viz. Dabram, RC Compound and Bolsalgre were conferred with cash prizes of Rs 20,000, Rs. 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively.
Other highlights of the programme include cultural programme, tableau presentation, sports for children, et al.
In West Jaintia Hills, Deputy Commissioner Batlang S Sohliya unfurled the Tricolour and took the salute of 21 marching contingents during a programme in Jowai
Some highlights of the programme include tableau presentation, songs and dances by students and localities of Jowai, distribution of food packages and gifts to Children’s Home by the government departments and social organisations, et al.
In East Jaintia Hills, Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal unfurled the National Flag and took the salute of nine parade contingents comprising police personnel, NCC cadets, Bharat Scouts and Guides, and students of different schools during a programme at Khliehriat Higher Secondary School playground.
During the function, Certificates of Appreciation and mementoes were handed over to District Social Welfare Officer R Passah, Supervisor, District Social Welfare Office Patrick S. Dkhar, and to the Multi-purposed Rehabilitation Workers and Community Based Rehabilitation Workers of Wapung C&RD Block and Saipung C&RD Block.
Other highlights of the programme include tableau presentation, prize distribution to the winners of the march past and cultural programme.
The award for best tableau presentation was conferred upon Office of the District Commerce and Industries Centre, East Jaintia Hills.
As part of the celebration, gifts were also distributed to Children’s Home (Boys and Girls), Thyndai Child Care Institute-cum-Counselling Centre, Tuber Kmai Shnong and to the patients of Khliehriat Civil Hospital.
The day ended with a friendly match played between the Officers’ Club and the Local Headmen of East Jaintia Hills.
In West Khasi Hills, Deputy Commissioner Garod LSN Dykes unfurled the Tricolour and took the salute of the 13 marching contingents during a programme at St. Peter’s Playground, Nongstoin.
The highlights of the day-long programme include tableau presentation, cultural programmes and distribution of sweets and food packages to patients of Nongstoin Civil Hospital.
In South West Khasi Hills, Deputy Commissioner T Lyngwa unfurled the National Flag and took the salute of the parade contingents comprising Meghalaya Police and six schools during a programme at Nativity Higher Secondary School playground, Mawkyrwat.
Some highlights of the celebration include tableau presentation, cultural programme, distribution of food packages by the Officers’ Club of Mawkyrwat to the Hope Orphanage at Mawlangwir and Marshillong, which was then followed by holding sports and games for the differently-abled persons.
In Ri-Bhoi, Deputy Commissioner Arpit Upadhyaya unfurled the Tricolour and took the salute of 15 contingents comprising 6th MLP Battalion, Civil Defence & Home Guards, Auxilium NCC Cadre, Ri-Bhoi Scouts and Guides, schoolchildren from different schools and a band party of St. Paul’s Hr. Sec School, Nongpoh, during a programme at NSCA Mini Stadium Pahamsyiem.
As part of the programme, tableaux were presented by different government departments. Cultural programmes were also held as part of the day-long celebrations.
In Eastern West Khasi Hills, Deputy Commissioner W Nongsiej unfurled the Tricolour and took the salute of the marching contingents.
During the programme, Bynther Secondary School, Langtor Higher Secondary School and Mairang Presbyterian English Medium School bagged the first, second and third prizes respectively in the march-past competition.
Other highlights of the celebrations include tableau presentation by various departments as well as a cultural competition.
It is pertinent to note that apart from district level, Republic Day celebrations were also organised at subdivision level in Sohra, Dadenggre, Amlarem, Pynursla, Mawshynrut, Raksamgre, Chokpot, Ranikor, Patharkhmah, Jengjal and Dalu.