By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said was a rare occasion in the history of the state to have the same chief minister lay the foundation stone of a centre and inaugurate the same facility a few years later.
Addressing a gathering at the inauguration of Multi Facility Utility Centre at Mawkhar, he said, “It is very rare in the history of Meghalaya to have the same CM laying the foundation stone (of the centre) in 2014 and to inaugurate it in the 2017.”
The Multi Facility Utility Centre cum Community Hall was built at a cost of Rs 1.68 crore.
Stating that political stability acquires importance, he said, “The process is rare and we have come a long way.”
Speaking about the centre, he said though it was not a big project, it was its value that surpassed the quantum of investment. “Utilize it optimally for the benefit of the people,” he added.
Asserting that development and growth was dislocated due to partition, he said, “The inherent strength is dislocated. It is time we revisit out strength and potential.”
Commenting on the need to change the mindset of the pessimist, Sangma said, “We have to change the mindset. Being pessimistic will stop people from dreaming.”
Singing a few lines from the song, “Imagine” by late Beatles singer John Lennon, he said, “We dream on behalf of the people we don’t dream alone.”
Exhorting the people to make everyone know about the vibrant life of the North East, he said, “Many people are yet to understand our vibrant culture.”
Congestion in Shillong
Pointing to the congestion at Mawkhar, the chief minister said, “Look at spreading out of congested Shillong as it was too congested now. Go and construct houses on the outskirts.”
“We are looking at going beyond the congested city. That is why the state government is establishing institutions outside the state capital. That is why we will have the College of Science and Commerce at Mawphlang,” he said.
Sangma said the alignment for the Western Shillong by-pass has been finalized. It will start from Umiam road and pass through Mawlyndep and Mawmih.
Keep the youth engaged
The CM lamented that the youth are getting into the bad habits of drug addiction which posed a challenge to the state.
Underlining the importance of the centre, which will keep the youth engaged in various developments, Sangma expressed concern that the vulnerability of the youth to vices posed a challenge.
“There are temptations. It is an era of technology. It is a challenging future as youth are becoming more vulnerable,” he said.
Again, speaking on the North East International border which are termed as porous, Sangma said, “It is time we revisit ways to manage international border.”
WHD Syngkon, headman of Mawkhar, which he called, “the brain of Khasi Hills”, heaped praises on Sangma and termed him a dynamic leader of the state. Syngkon said, “We are thankful for the guidance of the Chief Minister.”
Meanwhile, Congress minster Ronnie Lyngdoh took a jibe at the critics of the state government stating that the detractors don’t want to see, hear or listen to the visible developmental work on the ground.
Referring to the creation of a number of police stations, blocks, civil-subdivisions, he said, “(Despite such work) Our detractors say there is nothing visible on the ground.”
Stating that development is for all, he said, “Congress stands for inclusiveness and this is what our CM stands for.” Mawkhar MLA Roshan Warjri expressed gratitude to the CM for for setting up such a facility at Mawkhar.
