Statewide celebrations of India’s 78th Independence Day were held all over Meghalaya yesterday at both the governmental and private levels.
Official events took place at district and sub-divisional headquarters but the main function was here in Shillong where Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma hoisted the national flag and took the Rashtriya salute of the marching contingents.
The marchers were made up from the Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), District Executive Force of East Khasi Hills, 1st Meghalaya Police Battalion, NCC boys and girls, Meghalaya Bharat Scouts and Guides, Indian Red Cross Society, school students, a horse riding contingent from Assam Rifles Public School and various brass bands.
The names of recipients for this year’s Police Medal for Meritorious Service -Assistant Inspector General of Police (A) Sacheng R Marak, Havildar Anil Kumar Singh, and Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service to Raju Ram Rabha and Emergency Service to Bhupesh Ch Hajong. Home Guards & Civil Defence Medals were also awarded to Ram Charles Lamare and Prafulla Basumatary. MK Sangma, Joint Director of Civil Defence, RP Khongwar, Joint Commandant General of Home Guards, and 13 other personnel were awarded the Director General, Civil Defence & Home Guards, Meghalaya Disc & Commendation Certificates.
Also in Shillong, the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly unveiled two high-mast national flags in the heart of the capital city. The flags were hoisted and inaugurated by the Chief Minister in the presence of Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma.
The first flag, standing tall with a mast height of 100 feet, faces the bustling Police Bazar, while the second flag, at 52.5 feet, is prominently positioned in front of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly (Administrative Block), Khyndailad.
The Independence Day celebration was also graced by the presence of cabinet ministers Marcuise N Marak and Alexander Laloo Hek, along with officers and staff of the Assembly. The event also featured a special musical performance by The Aroha Choir, dedicated to honoring the freedom fighters of the country and the state.
Separate I-Day events were also held at Raj Bhavan and the High Court of Meghalaya.
Elsewhere, Tura saw Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong hoist the national flag and take the Rashtriya salute of 18 parade contingents.
He also felicitated meritorious students, filmmaker Dominic M Sangma and others.
At Khliehriat, Independence Day was celebrated with Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar hoisting the tricolour and taking the Rashtriya salute of the 28 parade contingents.
The chief guests at other locations were Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Shakliar Warjri at Nongpoh, Health and Family Welfare Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh in Resubelpara, Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma in Ampati, Water Resources Minister Comingone Ymbon in Williamnagar, Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh, South Shillong MLA Sanbor Shullai in Mawkyrwat, Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal in Jowai, chief adviser to the state government Lahkmen Rymbui in Baghmara, Excise Minister Kyrmen Shylla in Mairang, Deputy Speaker of the Assembly Timothy D Shira in Amlarem, Sengchim N Sangma MLA in Dadenggre, Gavin Mylliem MLA in Sohra, Ian Botham K Sangma MLA in Pynursla, Brening D Sangma MLA in Chokpot, Banteidor Lyngdoh MLA in Raksamgre, Methodius Dkhar MLA in Mawshynrut, Renikton L Tongkhar MLA in Ranikor, Sosthenes Sohtun MLA in Patharkhmah, Jim Sangma MLA in Rongjeng, Sanjay A Sangma MLA in Jengjal, Limison D Sangma MLA in Dalu and Santa Mary Shylla MLA in Shangpung.
Other organisations marked the day themselves. The BSF held its major celebration at the Meghalaya frontier headquarters in Umpling here but there were also functions at border outposts and BSF schools.
The 67th Battalion of the CRPF held an event at its headquarters in Polo here with Inspector General Danesh Rana of the North-Eastern Sector Headquarters the chief guest.
Localities like Riatsamthiah held its own function, with Padma Shri Silbi Passah hoisting the national flag in front of 200 other residents. A photo gallery was then inaugurated at the Dorbar Hall and Passah was also felicitated on being made Padma Shri this year.
Education institutions also took the initiative to celebrate Independence Day. These included Tura’s College of Community Science, William Carey University, National Institute of Fashion Technology, IIM Shillong and North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU).
The right-wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) also celebrated Independence Day, with the Shillong and Jowai units undertaking a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ of their own. In each town, students carried 75-metre-long tricolours on a procession, accompanied by flag-waving individuals.
A rally of a different kind was organised by the Rotary Club of Orchid City Shillong. This was a motorbike rally that not only marked Independence Day but also last month’s 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas and the death of hero soldier Keishing Clifford Nongrum MVC in that conflict.
