Meghalayan beneficiaries of various central government schemes will witness the Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort in New Delhi as special guests.
Around 1,700 persons from across the country related to various flagship programmes, such as the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojna, Amrit Sarovar Yojna, Central Vista project, etc have been invited to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation from the ramparts of the iconic monument.
The initiative to invite the people from all walks of life, across India, and be a part of the celebrations has been taken by the government in line with its vision of ‘Jan Bhagidari’, an official statement said.
Three of the JJM beneficiaries from Meghalaya are among the special guests.
Gloria Umsong and Jenesiuis Marwein, both of Mawkynrew, East Khasi Hills, and Babiangmon Lapang of Mawphrew in Ri-Bhoi will be attending from Meghalaya.
Umsong said that it is a great opportunity to be invited to witness the celebration. Terming JJM as a revolutionary initiative of the government, Umsong said, “JJM has changed lives, especially of the women of her village. The village got the tap water connection in 2020. Earlier, we had to spend a lot of time collecting water from wells and ponds. But now life has become easier after water reaches straight to the home through taps of JJM.”
Expressing happiness at getting the opportunity, Marwein said that he got the tap water connection in 2020 and since then he did not have to take the trouble of fetching drinking water from the river.
Lapang, who is a farmer by profession, recalling the days prior to JJM, said that the scheme has removed the hardship of fetching water from one single source. “Earlier we even had fights among households while collecting water. But after 2022 when tap water came directly to our households, all the problems related to getting potable water have ceased to exist,” she said.
Similarly beneficiaries of Amrit Sarovar, Merisuklin Syngkon from East Jaintia Hills and Meduwin Marak and Delpinna Sangma from East Garo Hills have also been invited to witness the celebrations.
Marak, from Rongjeng village, said that he feels proud to be among the invitees and is looking forward to listening to the PM speaking live. He also said that Amrit Sarovar has given him employment and he is very happy with it. Both Marak and Sangma are fish farmers.
During the visit, the special guests will also get an opportunity to visit the National War Memorial and the Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalya (Prime Ministers Museum) in New Delhi.
