As part of the celebration of 50 years of Meghalaya’s Statehood, a felicitation programme for Hill State Movement leaders was organised by the Eastern West Khasi Hills district administration today at Madan Mot Tirot in Mariang.
Prominent among those leaders were late Hopingstone Lyngdoh and late Fuller Lyngdoh Mawnai and 16 other volunteers.
Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh during his address spoke at length about the vision of the Hill State Movement leaders and volunteers whose unyielding efforts ensured Meghalaya has a state of its own befitting to its unique culture and identity.
He also said that the celebration provides an occasion to reflect on the history of the state, the development strides it has taken through the decades, and presents also, an opportunity to look at opportunities to take the state further forward in the next fifty years even as he called for unity in purpose of all stakeholders in the interest of overall upliftment of the state.
The Speaker also highlighted about the Ginger Mission and said it has the capability to transform the socio-economic condition of farmers of the district in particular and the state in general as it will open up avenues for upscaling of production, marketing and processing of ginger in the state.
Cabinet minister Brolding Nongsiej also who attended the felicitation programme along with Mairang- Nongkhlaw MDC, Batskhem Ryntathiang, Deputy Commissioner, W. Nongsiej, Superintendent of Police M. B Syiem, Syiem of Hima Nongkhlaw, P. M Syiemlieh , Syiem of Hima Myriaw, K. Syiem, Syiem of Hima Mawiang, N Syiem, traditional heads, farmers, SHG members, teachers and students.
During the programme, highlights of the Ginger Mission was also spelled out by an official of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department and the gathering was also enlightened on the Public Distribution System by an official of the Food & Civil Supplies Department. Ginger inputs under the Ginger Mission- Spices Development Scheme 2022-2023 were also distributed to farmers of selected clusters.
Other highlights of the day’s programme include stalls set up by different government departments and Self Help Groups, as also traditional songs and dances performed by young artistes of the District.
Prizes for winners of various competitions including Marathon, Quiz, Essay Writing and Painting organized as part of the celebration were also distributed by the dignitaries during the programme.