Shillong, Sept 07: The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, today attended a public reception organised in his honour by the people and Government of Meghalaya at Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong. He expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and said he would always stand with the people of Meghalaya in the State’s development journey.
The Vice-President highlighted Meghalaya’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and unique social institutions, including its matrilineal heritage. He said the State’s vibrant grassroots institutions reflect India’s diversity and democratic traditions. Recalling his former Lok Sabha colleague, late Shri P. A. Sangma, he described him as a great leader and an outstanding speaker who made a significant contribution to parliamentary democracy.
Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said true secularism means respecting each other’s thoughts an beliefs. He emphasised that people must live together with mutual respect and harmony. He also stressed that development must be inclusive and no section of society should be left behind.
Highlighting the importance of connectivity, the Vice-President said every effort is being made to connect remote villages with towns and cities. He noted that over 46,000 km of rural roads have been constructed in the North-East under PMGSY in the last decade, with expenditure of over ₹47,000 crore. He also appreciated Meghalaya’s reform-linked MoU under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.
The Vice President laid the foundation stones for five projects worth ₹1,010.95 crore. These include the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme Phase II, Part A (₹850.58 crore) under the Urban Challenge Fund, two road connectivity projects under NESIDS, a 30-bedded AYUSH facility at Shillong Civil Hospital and a 132/33 KV substation at Mawkhanu under PM-DevINE.
He also inaugurated the Maternity and Children’s Hospital at Nongstoin, completed at a cost of ₹31.05 crore under the National Health Mission. He said the projects, together worth about ₹1,042 crore, will strengthen water supply, connectivity, healthcare and power infrastructure in Meghalaya.
The Vice-President appreciated the State Government’s initiatives in infrastructure and tourism, including the homestay programme, CM-Elevate and Green Meghalaya. He congratulated Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma, his Council of Ministers and the people of Meghalaya for the State’s progress.
Speaking on the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan emphasised that progress must be inclusive, leaving no section of society behind, while preserving Meghalaya’s rich environment, culture and traditions. Referring to the State’s living-root bridges and the landscapes of Sohra and Mawsynram, he said Meghalaya offers valuable lessons in living in harmony with nature.
The Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Prestone Tynsong and Shri Sniawbhalang Dhar, Minister Shri Sanbor Shullai, Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
