Meghalaya Day celebrated with fun & gaeity

Shillong, January 21: Unlike the preceding years, the Meghalaya Day celebration was a spectacular affair this year as it was celebrated with lots of pomp, gaiety sprinkled with music and firework. Beside the official function held to celebrate the 42^nd year of statehood, Kyndailad became the center of attraction as the Meghalaya Information & Public Relations (MIPR) department organized the firework illuminating the night sky.

The Meghalaya Day celebration cut across the eleven districts on Tuesday as each districts organized function to commemorate the 42^nd years of Meghalaya becoming a separate state.

In the state capital, the official function was organized at the U Soso Tham uuditorium where Meghalaya deputy chief minister RC Laloo was the chief guest. Information & Public Relations minister AL Hek, Forest & Environment minister P Tynsong, Home Minister Roshan Warjri and other state government officers were also present.

Laloo recalled the hill state leaders’ vision of getting a separate state for the hills tribes and the zeal with which they struggled to achieve the goal.  In the course of his speech he also spoke of the developments that took place in the forty second years after Meghalaya became a full-fledged state .He spoke of the stride the state made in t agriculture, power, education, health, tourism, transport and communication.

Laloo also inform that the government has been working tirelessly to ensure that  the benefits of flagship programmes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Nattional, Rural Health Mission, PMGSY, JNNURM, total sanitation campaign and NREGA reaches the remotest corner and the poorest beneficiary of the state.

Focusing on rural poverty alleviation, employment generation and livelihood promotion, Laloo said  that the flagship programme,  the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Promotion Programme has proven to be an innovative initiative in its effort to bring about inclusive growth to every section of society.

Meanwhile in Tura the Meghalaya Day celebration was held at the West Garo hills deputy commissioner park. Prayer for peace and harmony in Garo hills were also held beside presentation of songs, dances and skits.

A well known  Garo hills litterateur Llewellyn Beaconsfield R. Marak and a popular singer of yesteryears late Beckington D. Shira (posthumous) were conferred with appreciation awards consisting of a citation and a cash of Rs. 10,000 given by the district administration for their outstanding contribution towards A∙chik Literature, Folk Music and Social Services in A∙chik culture and society.

The “Clean & Green Locality Awards” were also distributed on the occasion through the Tura Municipal Board, in which A∙dinggre, commonly known as Upper Chandmari was named the cleanest locality bagging a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 and Western RC road was declared the runner-up with a cash prize of Rs. 25,000.

At Baghmara, South Garo hills, the Clean & Green Award for the cleanest locality was bagged by Jongkol locality, while Rangdokram got the runner up prize.

At Ampati, the headquarters of South West Garo Hills a function was held with district deputy commissioner Ram Singh as the chief guest

At Dadenggre a brief meeting was held to mark the occasion which was attended by officers and staff of the sub-division.

At Mawkyrwat, the celebration was held at the Multi Purpose Hall, DC Complex. South West Khasi hills deputy commissioner R Lyngdoh grace the occasion as the chief guest.

The sports & youths affairs directorate also organized “Meghalaya Day Run 2014” in collaboration with the East Khasi hills district sports office. The run was flagged off Meghalaya sports & youths affairs principal secretary P Kharkongor from Madan Iewrynghep in the morning.

WINNERS: The winners in the men category were Mikhelsing Ramsiej of Sakwang, South West Khasi hills district, Wanboklang Jyrwa of Jakrem village, South West Khasi Hills emerged the first runner up  and Stilin Jyrwa of Jakrem village, South West Khasi Hills the second runner up.

In the women’s section, Kyntimon Marwein of Sakwang village bagged the top honour while Dateibankynmaw Marwein of Sakwang village and Mariwikiru Shylla of Tuber Kmaishnong, East Jaintia Hills District became first and se

Meghalaya Day Awards were also announced during the programme which will be distributed at a later date.

AWARDEES: Sylvi Passah, U Tirot Singh Award for Art & Literature, Skylance G Momin, Pa Togan Sangma Award for Social Service and Wansuk Myrthong, U Kiang Nangbah Award for Sports.

MEGHALAYA DAY EXCELLENCE AWARDS : The Meghalaya Day Excellence award recipients are Sanme R Marak, Joint Resident Commissioner, Meghalaya House, New Delhi, Gilbert Mawrie, Senior Monitoring Officer & Ex-Officio, Deputy Secretary, Planning Department, Crosspillar Marak, Sub-Divisional Agricultural Officer, Agricultural Department, Aiban Swer, Assistant Soil Conservation Officer, Soil & Water Conservation Department, Sweetiena K Rajee, Superintendent, O/o The Commissioner & Division for Khasi, Jaintia & Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya, Shillong, Valentina Shylla, UD Assistant, O/o The Deputy Commissioner, Jowai, Howard N Arengh, UD Assistant, Water Resources Department, Shillong, Barisha Lyngdoh, UD Assistant, Forest & Environment Department, Deity Devi Mrythong, Auxiliary Nurse Midwife, Umjarain Sub-Centre, O/o District Medical & Health Officer, West Khasi Hills District, Nongstoin, Jubilee E Lyngdoh, Auxiliary Nurse Midwife, Lawbyrtun Sub-Centre, O/o District Medical & Health Officer, West Khasi Hills District, Nongstoin, Ranjan Chakraborty, LD Assistant, O/o The Commandant, 1^st MLP Bn Mawiong, Shanti Lata Sangma, Head Assistant, O/o The Deputy Commissioner, South Garo Hills District, Ampati, Arun Rai, Bearer, O/o The Trade Adviser & Director of Movement, Government of Meghalaya, Kolkatta, Denister Marbaniang, Peon, O/o The Child Development Project Officer, ICDS, Mawphlang and Nur Mahammad, Driver, Health Department, PRCH, Shillong.

CLEAN & GREEN LOCALITY: The clean & green Meghalaya award was awarded to the localities of Jaiaw Shyiap & Lum Pyllon and Cleave Colony the first prize of Rs. 1 lakh and second prize of Rs. 50,000. – By Our Reporter