Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 746/07

CLEANLINESS DRIVE OF UMSHYRPI

The Closing function of the Cleaning Drive of the Umshyrpi Stream organized by the Education Department, Government of Meghalaya under the initiative of the Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Mr. Ranjan Chatterjee was held today at Dhobi Ghat, Rilbong. The Meghalaya Governor, Mr. B. L. Joshi graced the occasion as the chief guest. The cleaning drive was also coordinated by the Shillong Municipal Board under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. W. L. Lyngdoh.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Joshi appreciated the commitment of the students who took part in the cleaning drive to preserve the ecology and environment which has affected every one. He said that the cleaning drive is a part of beautifying the Shillong city which is and active effort taken up by the State Government. While appreciating the effort of the Education department to take up environmental awareness in its practical form by organizing the cleaning drive, Mr. Joshi said that it is one of the most effective ways to involve the school children so that they could learn more about the important of a cleaner surrounding. He congratulated the participating schools and expresses hope that their united efforts will continue in the times to come which will ensure a safer and healthier environment to the generations to come.

Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Mr. Ranjan Chatterjee, in his speech said that cleaning the river is not an individual task, it has to be taken up by the whole community. The idea to involve the school children is to inculcate in their mind the perception that a clean environment is not only beneficial to the present generation but it is more important for the future. He also called upon the teachers to organized essay and debate competition in their respective schools on environmental theme so as to create consciousness about the adverse effects of pollution on our environment. This small step taken by the students drawn form 14 schools in the city is a symbolic movement to clean up the entire state and the message to send to others about the need to keep the environment clean which is our basic need.

The function was also attended by Mr. H. Marwein, Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor, Mr. P.W. Ingty, Commissioner and Secretary, Tourism, Mr. W. L. Lyngdoh, CEO, Shillong Municipal Board, Mr.W. Khyllep, Director Higher and Technical Education.

Mr. L. Roy, Commissioner and Secretary, Education department delivered the welcome address while Smti. L. R. Sangma, Secretary Education department proposed the vote of the thanks.

Later, certificates were also distributed to all the participating schools in the cleaning drive.

Earlier in the day, the flagging off of the cleaning drive was done by the disabled Children of Dwar Jingkyrmen which was held at the premises of the St. Peter’s School, Dhanketi, Shillong in the presence of the Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Mr. Ranjan Chatterjee, Mr. L. Roy, Commissioner and Secretary Education, Smti L. R. Sangma, Secretary Education, Mr. W.L. Lyngdoh, CEO Shillong Municipal Board and Mr. W. Khyllep Director Education among others officials of the State Government and school children.