Meghalaya today celebrated its 51st Statehood Day at U Soso Tham Auditorium here, which was attended by Governor Brig. (Retd) B D Mishra and Chief Secretary, Donald P Wahlang.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor recalled how 51 years ago late Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi presided over the historic function of the creation of the full-fledged State of Meghalaya at Polo ground and said, “This fulfilled the long cherished political aspirations of the people of Khasi, Jaiñtia and Garo Hills.”
He said that the Meghalaya 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 also paid homage to the sacrifices made by the forebears leaders like, B B Lyngdoh, Edwin Bareh, Captain W A Sangma, H S Lyngdoh, Professor G G Swell, Stanley Nichols Roy, H Hynniewta, Wilson Reade, Professor R S Lyngdoh and many 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.
The Governor also stated that in the past 51 years the state has made good progress in agriculture, tourism, power generation, education, information technology and utilization of mineral resources and also reiterated the government’s commitment to wisely use the state’s resources and to revolutionize 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.
During the day the Governor handed over the Meghalaya Day Excellence Awards 2022 to 18 government officials for their meritorious services to the public, distributed the prizes to the winners of the Meghalaya Day Run organised by the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs.
The Governor Police Medals for meritorious service for the year 2023 were also announced. They are Additional Superintendent of Police, Shabbir Sayeed Dkhar, MPS, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSB), Vincent Nengminza Sangma, 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.
During the programme the name of the recipients of Meghalaya Day Awards 2023 were also announced. U Tirot Sing Award 2023 in the field of Arts and Culture went to Sweetymon Rynjah, Pa Togan N Sangma Award 2023 for Social Service is Dr Jennifer V Basaiawmoit and U Kiang Nangbah Award 2023 for Sports Klingson D Marak.
The celebration was also held in different parts of the State.
In North Garo Hills, statehood was celebrated in Resubelpara attended by Deputy Commissioner, RP Marak. During his speech he lauded government employees of the district for their coordination in the previously held elections and further urged their continuing support for the successful conduct in the upcoming general elections to be held soon with a target to reach cent percent voter turnout.
As part of the programme, government employees from different departments were awarded a certificate each as ‘best performing staff’ for their outstanding contribution in their respective areas of work and two senior citizen of the district, Alinaro Ch Momin and JM Sangma, were felicitated on the occasion.
In Ri Bhoi, for the first time the newly inaugurated Patharkhmah Civil Sub Division celebrated the day
The celebration was held in the office premises of Jirang Block Development Officer attended by Sub Divisional Officer, M.B Tongper, who sought people’s support in implementation of various schemes in the new sub-division to promote agriculture, education, tourism and sport.
In East Jaintia Hills District, Deputy Commissioner, Abhilash Baranwal emphasised on the need to preserve the environment, informing people about the importance of education, teaching the people about entrepreneurship, encouraging the youth for business, and teaching children to be ambitious and aspire for big things in life.
The function was held at the Conference Room of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office and attended by all officials of the district.
