SHILLONG, Jan 21: Indisposition prevented Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma from attending the official function to mark the 50th year of Meghalaya’s Statehood.
The news of his inability to be present at the JN Stadium in Polo came hours before the programme started 10 minutes past the scheduled 11 am immediately after Deputy Chief
Minister Prestone Tynsong reached the venue.
The function started with the singing of the national anthem followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and felicitation of the guests.
In his welcome address, Tynsong said: “This is a red-letter day in the history of Meghalaya, as exactly 50 years ago former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi along with Captain Williamson Sangma, GG Swell and other state leaders addressed a gathering of thousands a few hundred metres away.”
During the programme, the dignitaries launched the documentation on 50 years of Meghalaya and a commemorative stamp of the state. Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh launched the state emblem.
Tynsong laid the foundation stone for the New Administrative Township virtually.
A documentary on ‘Statehood Movement’ by the state Directorate of Information & Public Relations was aired and a docu-drama, ‘Meghalaya: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow’ by the Department of Arts & Culture was presented. The Meghalaya Day awards were presented to Benedict Skhemlang Hynniewta (U Tirot Singh Award for Arts and Literature), Fr Charles Ch Sangma (Pa Togan Sangma Award for Social Services) and Halen Nongtdu (U Kiang Nangbah Award for Sports).
In addition, Meghalaya Day Excellence Day awards were distributed while the Shillong Chamber Choir regaled the audience during the later part of the programme.
A memory crate containing the speech of the Chief Minister and contributions from officials and citizens was sealed as a concluding event. This crate will be opened when Meghalaya celebrates 100 years of statehood.
The CM graced the programme as chief guest in absentia and delivered his speech virtually. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also delivered his speech virtually while the speech of the Governor was read out.
