Shillong January 21: Meghalaya, the Abode of the Clouds, celebrates its 45th Statehood Dayon Saturday, January 21, 2017 with a variety of events held throughout the State.
In the State capital, Shillong, the celebration kick-starts with the official state function and awards ceremony held at U Soso Tham Auditorium, which was attended by Deputy Chief Minister, Prof R C Laloo as the Chief Guest, Information and Public Relations Minister, Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh as Guest of Honour, Health Minister, Smti. Roshan Warjri, Chairman MIDC, Shri. A L Hek, Chief Secretary, Shri K S Kropha and a host of state officials and dignitaries.
In his Meghalaya Day speech, Prof. R C Laloo said that this auspicious day is a time to reminisce the peaceful people’s movement, where inspite of numerous challenges, the united efforts of our visionary leaders and the un-quenching thirst of the people for the recognition of our traditions and values, ensured that we have a State of our own. “45 years on, the government is in right earnest and with vigour, pursuing the same goals of pushing Meghalaya to the pinnacles of progress, prosperity, peace and all round development,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the government is sincerely committed to ensure that Meghalaya is destined for progress, prosperity and self-sufficiency. He called upon the citizens of the State to never lose sight of the responsibility and to make collective efforts to live up to our duties, conscious of the golden future that beckons us, while being firmly rooted in our glorious past.
While complimenting all the Meghalaya Day Excellence Awardees whose commitment for the cause of the State has been recognized by the State Government, the Deputy Chief Minister hoped that this recognition will encourage them and inspire others too, to give their best in discharging duties and fulfilling responsibilities in their respective capacities and capabilities.
Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh, in her speech, said that as citizens, we feel indebted to the farsighted vision, courage and valour of many of the stalwarts and ardent supporters of the hill state movement, who fought a winning fight through peaceful and dignified means. She further said that as a state, we have gone through many ups and downs, all of which have been crucial to its growth and development. While underlining the different welfare schemes initiated by the Government to ensure that every citizen gets access to basic amenities, the Minister said that the government machineries will continuously endeavour to improve and better the service delivery. She called upon the citizens to renew their pledge to work together to ensure that Meghalaya soars high on all fronts and indexes as we march forward, towards the ‘Golden Jubilee’ celebrations in 2022 and beyond.
During the programme, recipients of the prestigious Meghalaya Day Awards were also announced. The awards will be conferred on the occasion of Republic Day on January 26, 2017. The U Tirot Sing Syiem Award for Arts and Culture goes to Sumar Sing Sawian, while the Pa Togan Sangma Award for Social Services was bestowed on Leander K Marak. Dolyne Kharbhih, who became only the second woman from Meghalaya to scale Mount Everest, was conferred with the U Kiang Nangbah Award for Sports.
As part of the celebration, Kayakalp Awards were also being given to 2 District Hospitals and 4 CHCs of the State to acknowledge the outstanding health related services and discharge of duties. The Awards goes to Civil Hospital, Tura and Civil Hospital, Williamnagar, Chokpot CHC, Bhoirymbong CHC, Laskein CHC and Khliehriat CHC.
To ensure easy access to various services, E-district services and 5 Mobile Apps were also launched today by the Chief Guest.
On the occasion, the Chief Guest also distributed the Meghalaya Day Excellence Awards-2016. The recipients included Shri Tomlin S Sangma of Land Records & Survey Department, Shri. George S Sawian of Fisheries Department, Shri Thesus K Marak of Sports & Youth Affairs, Smti. Kordorlin Khongriah of Power Department, Smti. Ioana Jala Kharbhih of Forests & Environment Department, Shri. Pagarson R Marak of Gasuapara C & RD Block, Smti. Ritina Blah of DC’s office East Khasi Hills District, Smti. Janailin Lyngdoh of DC’s office, Ri Bhoi District, Shri. Bloomingson Sanglyne of Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Smti. Persarabasuk Marbaniang of Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Shri. Barnette Diengdoh of Secretariat Admn. (N) Department, Shri. Hari Nayak of Tourist Information Centre, Kolkata, Government of Meghalaya, Shri. Armstrong D Marak of Cabinet Affairs Department, Smti. Ailinda Mawlong of Secretariat Admn (E) Department and Smti. Drostina Lyngdoh Nonglait of Personnel & AR (B) Department.
Others who spoke on the occasion were Chief Secretary, Shri K. S. Kropha, Smti Theilin Phanbuh, Chairperson, MSCW and Additional Chief Secretary, Shri P W Ingty. A message from the Chief Minister was also read out by the Director, I&PR, Smti M N Nampui during the programme.
Others highlights of the official programme included Songs, Flute recitals and performance by artists from the Centre of Excellence in Indian Classical & Western Music and Flower show at the Auditorium premises.
As part of the celebration in the city, the widely acclaimed Pipe Band of the oldest paramilitary force in the nation and Friends of the Hill People – Assam Rifles – rendered a wide selection of classics and favourites at the scenic Wards Lake, a women’s football exhibition match between Royal Wahingdoh FC and Combined XI at the FIFA turf (3rd Ground) at Polo Ground conducted by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs and a musical extravaganza at Polo parking lot.
