Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 25/14

42ND MEGHALAYA DAY CELEBRATED

Shillong, January 20, 2014: The 42nd Meghalaya Day was celebrated throughout the State today the 21st January, 2014 with various programmes organized in District Headquarters and Sub-Divisions. In the State capital Shillong, an official function was held at the U Soso Tham Auditorium in the august presence of the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. R C Laloo as the Chief Guest in th presence of Mr. A L Hek, Minister incharge of Information & Public Relations, Mr. P Tynsong, Minister of Forest and Environment, Mrs. Roshan Warjri, Minister incharge Home and a host of dignitaries.

In his Meghalaya Day speech, Dr. Laloo remembered the visionary leaders and their determination to bestow upon the indigenous people a state of their own. Dr, Laloo also highlighted on the developmental activities happening in the state in its 42 years journey in the field of agriculture, power, education, health, tourism, transport and communication. The Deputy Chief Minister also said that the government has been working tirelessly to ensure the benefits of flagship programmes like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Nattional, Rural Health Mission, PMGSY, JNNURM, Total Sanitation Campaign and NREGA etc reach the remotest corner and the poorest beneficiary of the State. Focusing on rural poverty alleviation, employment generation and livelihood promotion, Dr. Laloo informed that the flagship programme of the Government, the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Promotion Programme has proven to be an innovative initiative to bring about inclusive growth to every section of society.

Meghalaya Day Awards were also announced during the programme which will be distributed at a later date. The names of the Awardees are Smti Silvi Passah, U Tirot Singh Award for Art and Literature, Shri Skylance G Momin, Pa Togan Sangma Award for Social Service and Smti Wansuk Myrthong, U Kiang Nangbah Award for Sports.

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

During the programme, Clean and Green Meghalaya Award was bagged by Jaiaw Shyiap & Lum Pyllon and Cleave Colony. Earlier in the day, Meghalaya Day Run 2014, organized by the Director of Sports and Youth Affairs in collaboration with the District Sports officer, East Khasi Hills, was flagged off by the Principal Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs, Mr. P Kharkongor from Madan Iewrynghep, Shillong.

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 and Stilin Jyrwa of Jakrem village, South West Khasi Hills who bagged the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize respectively. 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 secured 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Fireworks were also displayed at Khyndailad, Shillong to mark the occasion.