Shillong, January 27: Speech of the Meghalaya Governor Mr Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary, on the 64th Republic day Celebration at polo ground on the 26 Janauary. To allowed the public to know what the Governor want to convey to the People of Meghalaya on the Republic day the SP News Agency carried his Excellency speech as it is.
My fellow citizens,
Today we are celebrating the 64th Republic Day a historic
occasion in our political evolution towards an egalitarian society
and I am happy to extend my warm greetings to the people of
Meghalaya.On this day sixty three years ago,we, the people of
India,gave to ourselves our own Constitution which seeks to secure
to all citizens justice, liberty and equality. By this Constitution,we
have also solemnly resolved to uphold the unity and integrity of
our great nation.
This celebration today inevitably takes us back to our history–our epic struggle for independence and the sacrifices made by
the then generation that has remained etched in our memory. was in that backdrop of our struggle and sacrifice that we framed
our Constitution – a treatise charting out the course of our future;
it is the soul of our nation,the light of our nationhood.
On this solemn occasion,we remember the great men and
women of India – Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru,
Sardar Vallavbhai Patel,Rani Laxmi Bai and many others who led
the country in its struggle for freedom.We also remember with
reverence the sacrifices made by the patriots of our own State–
U Tirot Sing,Syiem of Hima Nongkhlaw,U Kiang Nangbah and
Pa Togan Sangma in their struggle against the colonial rulers.
The freedom movement ushered in a new set of values,
attitudes and aspirations which became part of our national
ethos and helped to build a strong foundation for peaceful
co-existence and tolerance.These values were those of
democracy,non-violence and social j–ustice.Today,this
foundation is unfortunately under threat in some parts of the
country. We are facing challenges to our unity and integrity by
growing elements which are inimical to the core values of our
freedom struggle.These are forces which challenge the very
basis of our civilization. As peace loving citizens, we need to
unite and come together to fight against the proliferation of such
divisive forces.
The internal security scenario in the State is,by and large,
satisfactory and all religious festivals and national days have been
celebrated peacefully. Some moribund extremist outfit tries to
enforce bandh every Republic Day and Independence Day but
our alert police foil their insidious design and maintain normalcy
much to the relief of the people. The State Police with the assistance
of the Central Forces has also been doing a commendable job in
containing the activities of various militant outfits. The signing of
the Agreed Text of Settlement between the Achik National
Volunteers Council (ANVC), the State Government and the
Government of India is a positive development in our quest for
peace. However,certain groups, especially in the Garo Hills, have
been indulging in illegal activities of extortion,abduction,
intimidation and violence thereby disrupting the normal life and
causing immense hardship to the people,while professing to be
ostensibly fighting for the welfare of the people. On this occasion,
I appeal to all militant elements in the State to seek resolution of
their demands through established democratic processes by
peaceful means and to abjure the path of violence.
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The growing incidents of crime against women are a matter
of grave concern.It is a social disgrace that in our tribal state,
known for its respect and care for women,cases of rape and
molestation are becoming common occurrences.While it is
important that criminal justice administration needs to be refined
to make it more effective and exemplarily deterrent,the family has
a great role to play in formulating values and character.It has to
be the first point of reference by which we ensure that we bring up
our children responsibly by inculcating the basic human values of
love,respect and tolerance.Simultaneously,civil society and
traditional institutions should also introspect and debate on this
burning issue and come forward with sound and logical suggestions
to ensure safety to our womenfolk and restore them to the
respectful position they once commanded in our society.
Police has a major role to play in containing crimes and
infusing a sense of security among citizens. They must not only
be visible but also be trustworthy and helpful to citizens; especially
to women,senior citizens,minors and poor. There is a need for
greater sensitization to improve police response to public
complaints.Timely action,efficiency and impartiality should be the
watchword in all police functions.The state police has recently
launched the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System
(CCTNS) project sponsored by the Government of India that will
link all Police Stations within and outside the State via electronic
network to track down criminals.It will also enable the citizens to
lodge their FIR online.It is expected that it will help improve criminal
investigation and professionalism in the Police Department across
the country.
Our State has inter-State and international borders,and both
are sensitive and pose challenges.I n respect of the international
border,a protocol was signed during the last visit of our Prime
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Minister to Bangladesh.Let us hope that this protocol gets ratified
quickly by both the sides and the boundary gets properly defined
and delineated on the ground.On the inter-State boundary also,
an understanding needs to be reached quickly in order to alleviate
the hardships faced by those living in the pockets where differences
exist over the alignment of the boundary.
Meghalaya along with the rest of the country has embarked
upon a massive plan for development through the Five Year Plans.
During the Eleventh Five Year Plan,the State recorded a high
growth rate of 8.9 percent in Gross State Domestic Product.
Investments in the social sectors as well as in the infrastructure
sectors were substantially enhanced.The Twelfth Five Year Plan
projection of~ 27027.00 crores is yet to be finalised by the Planning
Commission. However,the agreed Plan size for 2012 -13
~ 3939.00 crores. The priorities of the Twelfth Plan period include
creating livelihood opportunities at a very rapid pace reducing
intra-State variations, leveraging natural resources for economic
benefit,encouraging investments, ensuring convergence of
various programmes, improving connectivity, bridging infrastructure
gaps,building skills,promoting human development and tapping
emerging opportunities in border trade.I urge the State to try its
best not only to raise the necessary resources but also to fully
utilize the plan resources available for development.
Our State is richly endowed with significant reserves of
important minerals such as coal, limestone, uranium, quartz etc.
There is an urgent need to educate all stakeholders that these
blessings should be handled with a sense of responsibility.
Exploitation of these resources should be done in a scientific
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manner and all care should be taken so that in our pursuit of
economic growth we do not end up ruining our environment. We
must always remain conscious of our obligation towards the future
generations. We cannot afford to appropriate all the resources of
the planet to ourselves and leave behind a shameful legacy of a
depleted earth and a denuded environment for the coming
generations. Knowledge and wisdom have to go hand in hand;
otherwise we stand to gamble on the very future of humanity.
Preservation of our forest wealth is an issue which requires no
emphasis. Awareness of these vital issues should begin right from
the upper primary level of school education and the syllabus should
be structured in a manner that the desired point is consciously
driven home over a period of time. Village functionaries should be
adequately sensitized to treat these resources as natural wealth
with attendant and befitting penalty against transgressors.
Known for its wealth of talent in music and other forms of
fine arts, Meghalaya is amongst the top ranking States in the
country in this arena. On the sports front too, the State has done
well, notably in football. We need to create more opportunities for
the youth of the State to enable them to gain access to national
and international platforms befitting their talent and abilities. I appeal
to all those from the State who have obtained national and
international recognition to work towards assisting other local youth
to scale new heights and bring both name and fame to this beautiful
Hill State.I also take this opportunity to appeal to the parents and
teachers to keep an eye for hidden and talents and to
encourage and nurture children with inborn potential to enable
them to grow both as responsible citizens and as contributors to
the State.
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In order to achieve economic growth and all round prosperity,
peace is a concomitant pre-requisite. The State has been known
for peace and tolerance. Ethnic, religious and cultural diversity
has not resulted in any discord. For many decades our people
belonging to all sections of the society have lived together in peace
and harmony. It is very important that these good traditions are
maintained. Let us not give room to intolerance and violence in
the society. I therefore appeal to all sections of society, particularly
the youth, to eschew violence in any form and to settle social and
political differences through discussions, negotiation and
understanding, befitting the citizens of this great democracy. Let
us work together and make the State a land of peace and prosperity
that everyone of us should be proud of. Let us remind ourselves
today that growth and development cannot take place in an
atmosphere of uncertainty and turmoil. Therefore, let us join hands
together in our endeavor to face the challenges of tomorrow
through a common commitment towards peace and social justice
to enable us to fulfill the vision of seeing Meghalaya as an island of
peace and a shining outpost in this part of the country.
The Election Commission of India has announced the
schedule for conduct of general elections to the Meghalaya
Legislative Assembly, the term of which will expire on the 10th
March,2013. The date of poll has been fixed on the 23rdFebruary,
2013. As on today, there are 14,88,719 (fourteen lakh eighty eight
thousand seven hundred and nineteen) eligible voters in the State,
out of which male voters account for 7,35,794 (seven lakh thirty
five thousand seven hundred and ninety four) or 49.42% of the
total electorate and female voters constitute 7,52,925 (seven lakh
fifty two thousand nine hundred and twenty five) or 50.57% thereof.
There has been an increase of 2,56,445 (two lakh fifty six thousand
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four hundred and forty five) voters over the total electorate
registered during the Assembly poll of 2008. During last year and
the initial part of the current year as many as 1,00,428 voters have
been registered. This remarkable increase in the enrolment
compared to earlier years is primarily due to the successful
implementation ofthe ‘Systematic Voters Education and Electoral
Participation‘(SVEEP) programme in the State for enrolment of
eligible voters.
Meghalaya is one of the five States in the country which
have achieved 100% photo coverage of electoral rolls and 100%
coverage in distribution of Electronic Photo Identity Cards (EPIC).
I hope this trend continues and I call upon the people of the State,
particularly the youth who are eligible voters,to exercise their right
of franchise freely, without fear or favour, according to their best
judgement and to maintain the best traditions of peace and
harmony during the run up to the elections and during the conduct
of poll.The state administration is making all efforts to ensure free
and fair conduct of elections in the State.
Our Constitution lays down certain fundamental duties
alongside the fundamental rights and the surest way to ensure
the fundamental rights are through the performance of these duties.
While we ought to be conscious of ourrights and privileges,we
should never ignore our duties and obligations. Among the
important fundamental duties are those that require every citizen
to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst
all the people of India transcending religious,linguistic and regional
or sectional diversities and to renounce practices derogatory to
the dignity of women It also requires the citizen to develop scientific
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temper, humanism and the spirit of enquiry and reform and to
strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective
activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of
endeavour and achievement. I would exhort al the people to
perform the fundamental duties so that we can enjoy our
fundamental rights.
In little more than a month from now we are going to have a
new government but government alone cannot create a change
without people’s active cooperation.We have to work hand in hand
and hard – the government and the people. I appeal to all the
citizens in our state to extend their full support and co-operation in
implementing the developmental programmes and in the attempts
and endeavours of the Government to maintain peace and order
in the State.
We have many challenges to confront and many problems
to overcome. But we shall face these together with solidarity,
determination and equanimity and we shall succeed. I am fully
confident that with the full co-operation of the people,we can make
Meghalaya a peaceful and progressive state wherein we can go
ahead on all fronts along with the rest of the country towards growth,
prosperity and fulfilment.JAI HIND – KHUBLEI – MITELA – Thank You.(SP News)
