Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 31/15

43RD MEGHALAYA DAY CELEBRATED IN THE STATE

Shillong, January 21, 2015: The 43rd Statehood Day of Meghalaya celebrated today in a befitting manner with various events organized throughout the day in the city and across the State. The main celebration was held in U Soso Tham Auditorium here, attended by Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma as the chief guest along with the Chief Advisor to the Government of Meghalaya Dr. DD Lapang, Ministers in the Cabinet, Parliamentary Secretaries, hosts of officials of the State Government and the citizens.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the intention of the celebration is to connect the present with the past in a befitting manner, to connect with the rich legacy of the peaceful movement by the leaders culminating in the creation of the beautiful State, adding that this rich legacy is more important in the present day context because it sends a strong message that a peaceful movement is the best movement through which we can achieve any shared objective. “Meghalaya State is a living example which should be replicated by one and all not only within the state for achieving any desired goal but also across the nation”, he said.

He also said that it was incumbent upon all as to what we make this State to be for the present and for the future, to give the best in whatever capacity and whatever position we hold, so that each one of our present and future generation can realize their dreams befitting to their potentialities. Stating that Meghalaya has already stepped into its forty-third year, he said that there has to be some strategy adopted by the government and chart out an action plan “so that seven years from now when we celebrate fifty years of our State we will be in a position to tell the world about our success stories which can give hope for everyone, that can give everyone a sense of wellbeing.” Stating that our strength lies in the “way of life and the kind of land which has been gifted to us and the inherent potentialities in us coupled with natural resources are our strength”, the Chief Minister said that the people of the State must be able to take leverage upon all these resources to achieve the objective of creating an environment where the dream of every citizen can be realized. Reaffirming the commitment and reiterating the resolve of the government to achieve that objective, Dr. Sangma spoke of the need to bring together the natural and human resources to create a positive landscape enabling the people to realize these potentialities.

As the State moves forward we should be able to take care of our challenges in providing health care, education, the problem of unemployment and the challenges of employability and when we focus on promoting the State as a destination for these crucial sectors and hospitality, everything else will fall in line, he said. “For a State where resources are limited, we have to work harder to overcome the challenges of mopping up the resources so that the resources will commensurate our developmental agenda” he added. “Destination Meghalaya is our agenda and when we focus on the three important sectors of Education, Health care and Hospitality, we need to have that kind of infrastructure which can attract this kind of destination”, he said and stressed the need to invest more on roads, rail connectivity, to see how we can use the existing rivers as waterways and how we can upgrade our airports to improve air connectivity, so that people who are looking at Meghalaya as a destination can reach the State without having to land somewhere else, he added. “Our agricultural produce must be in sync with these objectives and that is why we have the Mission Green and under Mission Green we have a number of initiatives which include the Mission Organic, because those who come to study here, the people who visit the State and stay in our hotels, resorts and home-stays should be able to know the quality of food we are providing them”.

He also urged upon all the people of the State to assume upon themselves the responsibility of thwarting violence, discrimination, injustice, that can create a breeding ground for frustration and anger and move ahead on a positive note. Earlier, the Chief Minister and his colleagues in the government gave away the Meghalaya Day awards and also distributed prizes to the winners of various events organized as part of the celebration which included the folk song and dance competitions, marathon, flower show and host of other events.

Chief Adviser to the Govt. of Meghalaya, D D Lapang, IPR Minisrer, AL Hek, Chief Secretary, PBO Warjri, Commissioner & Secretary, Political Deptt. J. Lyngdoh and Director of Information & Public Relations were among others who also spoke on the occasion. The day-long celebration culminated with a Peace Concert and fireworks display at Polo Ground in the latter part of the evening.

Recipients of the Meghalaya Day Excellence Awards, 2015: Shri Victor E Iawphniaw, Deputy Director, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Dr. Kevin D G Momin, MS Grade II, O/o The Superintendent, Tura Civil Hospital, Smti Mainora M Sangma, Assistant Deputy Controller, O/o The Deputy Controller, Civil Defence, Tura, Smti Patricia Khyriem, Superintendent, O/o The Commissioner of Labour, Meghalaya, Shillong, Shri Don Y Rymmai, Foreman, Directorate of Printing and Stationery, Smti Pyndaplin Chyne, LDA, O/o The Director General of Police, Meghalaya, Shillong, Smti Tathora G Momin, UDA, O/o The Deputy Commissioner, North Garo Hills, Resubelpara, Shri Monindra Kumar Das, LDA, O/o The Superintendent, Reid Provincial Chest Hospital, Shillong, Shri Biswajit Chakraborty, LDA, Typist cum Receptionist, O/o The Resident Commissioner, Meghalaya House, New Delhi, Smti Pimillioris Byrsat, UDA, O/o The Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills, Nongstoin, Smti Wanhunmon Nongkhlaw, Typist, Planning Board, Shri Md. Nizamuddin, Duftry, O/o The Trade Adviser and Director Movements, Government of Meghalaya, Kolkata, Shri Charmingstone D Momin, Peon, Planning Board, Smti Armila Mawiong, Sweeper, MATI, Shillong, Shri Paulous Wahlang, Grade IV, O/o The Superintendent, Ganesh Das Hospital, Shillong.