Shillong, August 16: Along with the rest of the country, 78th Independence Day was celebrated in all the District Headquarters, Sub-Divisions of Meghalaya with great fanfare and grandeur.
At Tura, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Prestone Tynsong hoisted the National Flag at Matchakolgre L P School Playground, New Tura and took the Rashtriya Salute of 18 Parade Contingents comprising of 2nd MLP Battalion, Goeragre, Tura DEF, NCC Scouts and Guide and school students.
During the function, the Chief Guest felicitated the First Position holder of Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) Examination, 2024, Anuj Chetry, Jonathon Singkam M Sangma for his outstanding performance in JEE, UPSC (NDA & NA) Indian Institute of Space and Technology (IIST), JEE Advanced and Dominic Megam Sangma for his immense contribution in film making and his film Rapture won the Best New Director Award, Best Original Music in the Asian Film Award among others.
Other highlights of the day included cultural programmes, display of arms by the Police department and Blood Donation Camp organised at Tura Civil Hospital.
Bike Rally, Inter-Mahari Tug-of-War, Exhibition Football match between Education Department, Tura and Medical Department at Artificial Turf, Chandmary Playground, Tura, Cricket Match between DC XI and Paramilitary Department at Police Parade Ground, Tura was also held at multiple locations in and around Tura.
A Flea Market consisting of Visual Arts & Craft, Handloom items, Jewellery, Food and Beverage, Sit and Paint for Children, Sports and Games for children, Live Music by Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project, Tura at DC Park, Tura was the other attraction during the day long celebration.
At Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills District, Independence Day was celebrated at Khliehriat Higher Secondary School playground, Khliehriat wherein Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Sniawbhalang Dhar hoisted the Tri Colour and took the Rashtriya Salute of the 28 parade contingents comprising of Meghalaya Police, Home Guards &Civil Defence, NCC, Scouts &Guides and students.
To celebrate the day, a friendly football match was played between Government Officers and School Teachers of East Jaintia Hills District at East Jaintia District Sports Association Football Ground, Dienchynrum. Gifts were also distributed to inmates of Shelter Homes at Khliehriat and 7Tyndai Child Care Counseling Centre, Tuber Kmaishnong.
At Nongpoh, Ri Bhoi District, Independence Day was celebrated at NSCA Mini Stadium Pahamsyiem, Nongpoh. Sport and Youth Affairs Minister, Shri Shakliar Warjri, hoisted the tri-color and took the Rashtriya salute of the 25 parade contingent comprising of 6th MLP Bn.Umran, Meghalaya Home Guard, NCC Ri Bhoi, school children and a band party from St Paul’s Hr.Sec School.
The day also included with a cultural shows such as patriotic songs and dances performed by school children of different schools of the area, distribution of the Awards of recognition to the selected individuals and Organizations like VO, VHC, ASHA, SHGs, and sport persons.
The day ended with distribution of food package to the inmates of Civil Hospital, Leprosy Colony, Children’s Home, Saiden and jail inmates.
At Resubelpara, North Garo Hills District, Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. M Ampareen Lyngdoh, hoisted the National Tri Color and took the Rashtriya salute of 20 contingents comprising of MLP Battalion, Mendipathar College NCC (Boys & Girls) scouts, school students and the Brass Band party of St Thomas Higher Secondary School Mendipathar at the Mini Stadium, Resubelpara.
During the programme, 25 District awardees were felicitated for their contribution and dedication to their respective workforces. Police officers of the district who have actively participated in the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan were also awarded citations and mementos.
Others highlights included display of artistic yoga sanas by the Meghalaya Yoga Sana Sports Association followed by games & sports for children and a football match between DC XI and SP XI.
At Ampati, South West Garo Hills, Education Minister, etc, Shri. Rakkam A Sangma hoisted the National Flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of the 23 parade contingents comprising of Ampati DEF, NCC and Scouts & Guides from various schools of the district at Ampati Students’ Field.
The Chief Guest also handed over awards and certificates to outstanding employees, athletes and meritorious students and best performing schools of the district.
Colourful cultural program including patriotic and cultural dances by school children and sports & games for children were some of the highlights of the day-long celebration. Later, the Minister, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and local leaders visited Ampati Civil Hospital and distributed food items to the patients.
At Williamnagar, East Garo Hills District, Minister for Cooperation, Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Water Resources, etc. Shri. Comingone Ymbon hoisted the National Flag and took the rasthtriya salute of 29 parade contingents including Meghalaya Police, NCC, Scouts and Guides at Rongrenggre Govt. Higher Secondary School playground
On the day, the Chief Guest distributed the trophies for the winners of march-past, prizes and certificates for the achievers in various fields of work, competitions and the dedicated Govt. servants of the district. Other highlights of the celebrations included colourful cultural program, children’s sports, tug of war, exhibition football match between the DC XI and Police XI.
At Nongstoin, West Khasi Hills District, Independence Day was celebrated at St. Peter’s Higher Secondary School, playground, Nongstoin. Minister in-charge Arts and Culture, Social Welfare, Textiles and Tourism Department Bah Paul Lyngdoh, hoisted the national flag and took the Rashtriya salute of the 26 parade contingents comprising of the police, home guard, NCC, scout and guide and school students.
Other highlights of the day included cultural programme, distribution of prizes and distribution of food packets to Green Pasteur Orphanage, Pyndengrei, S. Wollington Children’s Home, Nongpyndeng & Shelter Homes for Boys and Girls, Nondein New Nongstoin.
At Mawkyrwat, South West Khasi Hills District, the day was celebrated at Nativity Higher Secondary School playground, Mawkyrwat wherein Shri. Sanbor Shullai, MLA, 19- South Shillong Assembly Constituency hoisted the National Flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of the impressive marching contingents comprising of 7 schools, including NCC, Scouts, Guides and, the Police.
As part of the celebration, the South West Khasi Hills District Swimming Association in collaboration with the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, South West Khasi Hills District also conducted an Annual Swimming Competition at Phot Umnew, Mawkyrwat.
Top of At Jowai, West Jaintia Hills District, Independence Day celebration took place at Jrisalein Playground wherein Power Minister Shri. A T Mondal hoisted the National Flag and took the Rastriya salute from 32 contingents comprising of District Police Jowai. 61 Meghalaya Girls Battalion Government Girls, Meghalaya Bharat Guide (Guide Contingents) and 29 schools.
The other highlights of the day included distribution of awards and mementoes, traditional and patriotic song and dances and a final Independence Day Cup under-17 football tournament.
At Baghmara, South Garo Hills District, Chief Adviser to the Government of Meghalaya, Mr. Lahkmen Rymbui hoisted the National Flag at Baghmara District Sports Playground and took the salute of 24 parade contingents.
During the programme, awards were given to performing ASHA and ASHA Facilitator of District and the Blocks level.
Other highlights of the day included children sports, Exhibition Football Match between DC XI and Teachers and Exhibition Cricket Match between DC XI and SP XI.
At Mairang, Eastern West Khasi Hills District, Minister In-charge Minister for Revenue & Disaster Management Department, Excise, Shri Kyrmen Shylla, hoisted the Tri Colour and took the Rashtrya salute of the 10 parade contingents comprising of the police, home guard, NCC, scout and guide and school students at Dommawlum, playground, Pyndengumiong Mairang. Other highlights include cultural programmes, award and prize distribution.
At Amlarem Civil Sub-Division, Independence Day was celebrated at Amlarem Subdivision Sport Association Mini Stadium, Ladjaplem. Deputy Speaker,Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Shri. Timothy D Shira hoisted the National Flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of 7 contingents including Meghalaya Police Department and 8 Schools. Highlights of the day included award presentation and cultural programmes.
At Dadenggre Civil Sub-Division, Mr. Sengchim N. Sangma, MLA hoisted the Tri Color and took the Rashtriya salute of the parade marching contingent..
At Sohra Civil Sub-Division, Shri Gavin Mylliem, MLA hoisted the national flag and took the salute of the 18 marching contingents comprising of Meghalaya Police, NCC, contingents of students from different schools of Sohra at Ramakrishna Mission, Khliehshnong, Sohra.
Other highlights of the day included cultural programme and distribution of prizes to the winners of march past and cultural programme.
At Pynursla Civil Sub-Division, Shri. Ian Bothan K Sangma, MLA hoisted the Tricolor and took the salute of the 21 parade contingent at Umkor Urksew Pynursla Sports Club (UUPSC), Stadium, Pynursla. Cultural programmes, songs presentation and prize distribution were the other highlights of the day-long celebration.
At Chokpot Civil Sub-Division, Shri. Brening D Sangma, MLA hoisted the Tricolor and took the salute of 10 parade contingents at Chokpot ME School Playground
At Raksamgre Civil Sub-Division, Shri. Banteidor Lyngdoh, MLA hoisted the Tricolor and took the rashtriya salute of the parade contingent.
At Mawshynrut Civil Sub-Division, Shri. Methodius Dkhar, MLA, hoisted the National Flag and took the Rastriya salute of 12 parade contingents of the police and the school and college students at Christ King Higher Secondary School, Riangdo.
Besides the Government programme, other highlights of the day included cultural programmes and distribution of eatables to patients of CHC Riangdo.
At Ranikor Civil Sub-Division, Shri. Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, MLA, hoisted the National Flag and took the salute of the parade contingents comprising of 9 Schools led by the Meghalaya Police at Nolikata playground, Ranikor.
During the programme, award for the Best Performance ASHA was presented to Smti. Hasina Marak (Ranikor CHC), Best Performance Village Health Council (VHC) was awarded to Nongkdait- B Village Health Council (VHC)
The other highlights of the celebration were cultural items performed by the Schools and Village Organizations (VOs) under Ranikor Civil Sub Division.
At Patharkhmah Civil Sub-Division, Independence Day was observed in a grand manner where Shri Sosthenes Sohtun, MLA of Jirang hoisted the National Flag at Umsaw Patharkhmah ground and took the Rashtriya Salute 9 parade contingents including police and school students.
Other events of the day included cultural programme and football match between Rangdajied FC and Western Ri Bhoi Sport Association.
At Rongjeng Civil Sub-Division, Shri Jim Sangma, MLA hoisted the Tricolor in the presence of SDO (Civil), Reuben Ch Momin, BDO, local leaders and other dignitaries.
At Jengjal Civil Sub-Division, Mr. Sanjay A. Sangma, MLA hoisted the Tricolor and took the rashtriya salute of the parade contingent.
At Dalu Civil Sub-Division, Mr. Limison D. Sangma, MLA hoisted the Tricolor and took the rashtriya salute of the parade contingent
Hima Shangpung Laskein C & RD Block also celebrated Independence Day at Hula Playground Moosyiem, Shangpung where Smt. Santa Mary Shylla, MLA hoisted the tricolor and took the salute of the 20 marching contingents. Other highlights of the Day include Patriotic songs and Cultural dance performed by the students.
