Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 38/14

65TH REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATED IN THE STATE

Shillong, January 27, 2014: Along with the rest of the country, Meghalaya celebrated its 65th Republic Day with pomp and gaiety in all its District Headquarters, Civil Sub-Divisions and Administrative Units of the State.

At Shillong,East Khasi Hills, the Governor of Meghalaya, Mr. K K Paul unfurled the National Flag at Polo Grounds and took the salute at an impressive march past of nine contingents which included State Police, Assam Regiment, BSF, CRPF, Home Guards, NCC boys and girls, Scouts and Guides. At Tura, West Garo Hills, Minister PWD and Home Guards & Civil Defence, Mr. Sniawbhalang Dhar, unfurled the Tri Color and took the Rashtriya Salute marking the beginning of the daylong celebration. During the day 12 contingents from the state police, Home Guards and Scouts and Guides from various schools performed the march past followed by a tableaux presentation by various government departments. The daylong celebration was marked by a cultural programme, tug of war and sports for children. The Chief Guest later distributed prizes to winners of the Clean and Green Village Award under West Garo Hills district and tableaux presentation. The winners of this year’s Clean and Green Village Award were Rengsangre and Asanang from Rongram C and RD Block, Dilnigre and Jenggitchakgre from Gambegre Block, Bangangre from Dadenggre Block, Matchokgre and Boldampitbari under Tikrikilla Block, Magupara and Gangbanga under Dalu Block and Agipenggre Selsella under Selsella Block. The department of Soil and Water Conservation, Tura Civil Hospital and District Commerce and Industries Centre were adjudged the 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Tableaux presentation. At Jowai, West Jaintia Hills, the Meghalaya Education Minister, Mr. R C Laloo unfurled the National Flag and took the Rashtriya salute of an impressive march past of 18 contingents comprising of Meghalaya Police, Home Guard & Civil Defense, Scouts, Guides and students at a function held at Jrisalien playground. Tableaus were also presented by different department of the District. District Horticulture Office was awarded the first prize, District Commerce & Industries and PHE Department were awarded second and third respectively. There was a display of fire balloons by different localities of Jowai and cultural programmes were also performed during the day. Winners of the “Clean & Green Village Award 2011-2012’ Wahiajer and Shangpung Mission were awarded Cash prize of two Lakh each. Cash prize and certificates were also distributed to winners of the Marathon conducted on 25thJanuary, 2014.

At Nongpoh, Ri Bhoi District, the celebration was held at the NSCA Mini Stadium Pahamsyiem, Nongpoh. Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Rowell Lyngdoh unfurled the National Flag and took the salute of an impressive march past of 12 contingents including Police and students from different schools. Other highlights of the day were cultural programmes and Cricket Match between the Officers and the Teachers in which Teachers XI beat Officer XI by 15 runs and the Clean & Green Award was given to Rongphakong, Jyntru & Iasohksang village of Category I and Triang, Saiden & Wah Synon village of Category II which carry a cash award of Rs. 1 lakh & Rs. 2 lakh respectively. At Baghmara, South Garo Hills, Parliamentary Secretary (Home), Mr. W D Sangma unfurled the National Tri colour at the Government Higher Secondary School playground, Baghmara and took the salute of the contingents presented by Meghalaya Police and Scouts and Guides. As part of the programme, Unity Half Marathon Race was also organised in the morning. Tableau was also presented by various line departments of the district where Integrated Basin Development Livelihood Promotion Programme (I.B.D.L.P) got the award for the Best Tableau Presentation and the Jawahar Navodaya Vidhalaya Boys and Girls got the Best Marching Contingent Award. Besides these, Bilkona Village from Gasuapara Block and Jaksongram village from Baghmara Block received a cash award of Rs. 2.00 lakh and 1:00 lakh respectively along with trophy and citation from the Government of Meghalaya as "Clean and Green localities. At Williamnagar, East Garo Hills, Meghalaya Transport Minister, Mr. H D R Lyngdoh unfurled the National Flag and took the Rashtriya salute of 15 marching contingents comprising of 5th MLP Battalion, police and scouts and guides at a function held at Rongrenggre Higher Secondary playground, Williamnagar. Other highlights of the day include cultural programme, games and sports etc. Later in the evening, Smti. Deborah C. Marak, Minister of Social Welfare flagged off the Maxi Cab Services at Williamnagar to ensure the services for public interest. She also informed that the Government intends to cater for the need of travelers by increasing the public bus services in the district. At Nongstoin, West Khasi Hills, Urban Affairs Minister Dr. Ampareen Lyngdoh, unfurled the Tri-Colour to the tune of the National Anthem and took the Rashtriya Salute of the 12 parade contingents which included the police, NCC and school students at a function held at St. Peter’s Higher Secondary School playground, Nongstoin. The cultural programmes added more color to the celebration along with the presentation of the Tableaus by six departments comprising of Soil and Water Conservation, Election, DC’s Office, Horticulture, Forest, Agriculture and PHE. Other highlights of the day included the distribution of Clean and Green Villlage Award to the five villages under Nongstoin, Mairang and Mawthadraishan C & RD Blocks, Mawpoint game, prize distribution and food distribution to the patients of Civil Hospital, Green pastures Orphanage, Pyndengrei, St. Peters Orphanage, Pyndengrei and S Wollington Children’s Home, Nongpyndeng. At Resubelpara, North Garo Hills, Social Welfare Minister, Smti. Deborah Marak unfurled the National flag and took the Rashtriya salute of March past comprising of 10 contingents at a function held at Mini Stadium, Resubelpara. The Chief Guest also gave away the cash award to the winner of the Clean and Green Award to Matchu Ki'i village. Other programmes of the day include cultural programme, football match, sports for small children and distribution of food to the hospital inmates.

At Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills, celebration was held at Khliehriat Higher Secondary School wherein Minister Health & Family Welfare, Mr. A L Hek, unfurled the Tricolor and took the Salute to the parade comprising of 8 contingents of police and school students. Other highlights included tableaux presentation by government departments, cultural programme, sports and games. Best contingent award was given to Ambrose Secondary School Khliehriat. Best tableau was bagged by Agriculture and Horticulture departments jointly and Latyrke village was adjudged as the Clean and Green Village Award of East Jaintia Hills District. At Mawkyrwat, South West Khasi Hills, Meghalaya Minister for Forest and Environment, Mr. P Tynsong unfurled the National Flag to the tune of National Anthem and took the Rashtriya salute at the impressive march past comprising of 13 parade contingents of police force, NCC and students from various schools at a function held at Maharam Government Secondary School Playground, Mawkyrwat. Other highlights of the day included tableaux presentation by different departments, cultural programmes, prize distribution to winners of Clean and Green Village Award selected from the blocks, sports and games for children and distribution of food items to patients in CHC Mawkyrwat and Hope Orphanage. At Ampati, South West Garo Hills, Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Mr. Zenith M Sangma unfurled the National Flag and took the salute of the 7 parade contingents at Ampati student field consisting of Meghalaya Police, Scouts and Guides and school students. The highlights of the day’s celebration at Ampati were presentation of cultural and patriotic dances and patriotic songs, Exhibition Football Match between District Officers XI and Contractors XI and sports and games for children. On the occasion, the Clean & Green Village Awards were given to the cleanest villages of the two blocks under the district by the chief guest. Under category I, Chondon Nokat of Betasing block and Bollonggre B of Zikzak C&RD block were awarded a cheque of Rs. 1 lakh each under the Clean & Green Village award scheme 2013-14, while under category II, Godalgre village of Betasing block and Chapahati-I of Zikzak block were awarded a cheque of Rs. 2 lakh each under the scheme. Besides this, certificates of appreciation were awarded to selected employees for their outstanding performance. Later, the Minister visited Ampati Hospital and distributed food packets to the patients as part of the occasion.

At Sohra Civil Sub Division, Meghalaya Home Minister, Mrs. Roshan Warjri unfurled the National Flag and took the Rashtriya salute of the marching contingents at a function held at Sohra stadium, Saitsohpen, Sohra. There was also a tableaux display by different line departments of the district. Cultural programmes, sports and games were the other highlights of the day. Gifts Packets were also distributed to the patients of C.H.C. Hospital and St. Johns Orphanage Home, Maraikaphon-Sohra. At Mairang Civil Sub Division, Chief Advisor to the Government of Meghalaya, Mr. D D Lapang, unfurled the Tricolor and took the Rashtriya Salute of the 7 marching contingents comprising of the Meghalaya Police and school students at Madan Mawlum playground, Mairang. Other programmes of the day included the display of the 5 Tableaux of the department of PHE SDO (C), Agriculture, Forest and Soil and Water Conservation followed by Cultural items, prize distribution and distribution of gifts to the disabled persons by the Chief Guest. At Amlarem Civil Sub-Division Parliamentary Secretary, Sports & Youth Affairs Mr. S Mukhim unfurled the National Flag at Amlarem L.P. School playground and took the salute of the seven march past contingents which included Meghalaya Police and school students of the Sub Division. Other entertaining programmes like dancing, musical chair etc were also organized. The celebration concluded by distribution of Awards of Merit for academic excellence to deserving students along with prizes for the Best Parade Contingents. Gift packets were also given away to all the participants of the day’s entertainment who were mostly school children and young adults. At Dadenggre Civil Sub-Division, Mr. Clement Marak, Meghalaya Power Minister unfurled the National Flag at Dadenggre playground and took the salute of the 8 marching contingents. The day event rounded up with cultural programs along with sweet distribution for children, sports for children and football exhibition match.

At Patharkhmah Administrative Unit, Mr. Jonathan Shylla EAC unfurled the National Flag and took salute of the march past contingents of police and school students held at Patharkhmah Mini Stadium. At Mawshynrut Administrative Unit, the celebration was held at Riangdo Playground whereby Mr. P. D. Sangma, ADM, West Khasi Hills District, unfurled the National Flag and took salute before the parade contingent consisting of police and school students. Other highlights of the day included cultural items, prize distribution and distribution of gifts to the differently abled persons.