Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 550/18

MEGHALAYA CELEBRATES 72ND INDEPENDENCE DAY

Meghalaya joined the rest of the country in celebrating the 72nd Independence Day on August 15, 2018. Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma unfurled the National Flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of the ceremonial parade held at Polo Grounds, Shillong. The marching contingent includes 58 GTC, BSF, CRPF, Assam Police, District Executive Force, Police Training School, NCC Boys and Girls, CSSCF, Meghalaya Bharat Scouts and Guides, Indian Red Cross Society, St. Joseph Higher Secondary School, Holy Cross Secondary School, St. Anthony’s Higher Secondary School, St. Margaret Higher Secondary School, Christian Academy Higher Secondary School, Assam Rifles Public School, Little Flower Higher Secondary School, St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Lakreh Memorial Secondary School and the combined Brass and Pipe Band of Border Wing Home Guards, BSF, Assam Rifles. The parade was led by Major Ankur Pal from 58 GTC and 2nd in command Armed Branch Inspector, DEF, Shri R. S. Bordoloi. The Horses contingent from Assam Rifles Public School Laitkor added to the grandeur of the parade. During the official function, the Chief Minister handed over the Pa Togan N. Sangma Award for Social Services to Ms. Bertha Gyndykes Dkhar, U Tirot Sing Award for Art and Literature to Shri Handam R. Marak and U Kiang Nangbah Award for Sports and Games to Shri Aiborlang Khongjee.

The Chief Minister also handed the Best Performing Traffic Police Personnel Award for East Khasi Hills to Inspector Utpal Das Gupta, I/c Sadar Traffic Branch, Inspector Swapan Das Gupta, I/c Mawlai Traffic Branch, Sub Inspector John Bankerlang Tongwah of Laitumkhrah Traffic Branch, Sub Inspector Tikaram Chettri of Sadar Traffic Branch and Sub Inspector Bumper Warjri of Lumdiengjri Traffic Branch. In addition, Best Primary Health Centre was awarded to Pomlum, PHC, Excellence award for Best Municipal worker to Shri V. Charles Marwein and Shri Eusebius Synrem, Cleanest Villages Award to Mawdiangdiang village under Mawpat C&RD Block, Umsning village under Mawkynrew C&RD Block, Mission Compound Mawphlang village under Mawphlang C&RD Block, Mawpdang village under Mawryngkneng C&RD Block, Laitmynsaw village under Mylliem C&RD Block, Mawsniang village under Sohiong C&RD Block and Mawdan Mawkhar village under Mawlai C&RD Block. Weljohn Nongspung and Manbha Kupar Khongwir of East Khasi Hills and Rapki O Sumer of West Jaintia Hills were awarded the Best transacting VLE in Meghalaya State. The award for Best Banking Correspondent (CSP) in Meghalaya State went to Edian Marak, West Garo Hills. Damangshwa Wahlang of Tynring village, Wanheh Mylliemngap of Nohwet village and Mandari Dkhar of Sohryngkham village were awarded Best Transacting VLEs of East Khasi Hills.

The Chief Minister also handed over prizes to the winners of the school marching contingents. St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Assam Rifles Public School and Lakreh Memorial Secondary School bagged the first, second and third prizes respectively. During the celebration, names of the recipients of various Police Medals were also announced. Police Medal for Gallantry, Shri Vivekanand Singh, SDPO, Shri Gopison R. Marak, Constable, Shri T. C. Chacko, DSP, Shri Tony M. Sangma, SI, Shri Phil Dkhar, Constable. President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service, Shri Hamarbajop Wahlang, DSP, SB, Head Quarter, Meghalaya. Police Medal for Meritorious Service, Shri Mariahom Kharkrang, Special SP, Shillong, Smti Joyti Wahlang, DSP, SB, Headquarter. President’s Fire Service Medal for Distinguished Service, Sh. Paul Sangkly, Sub-Officer. Shri Bishnu Prasad Joshi, Un-armed Branch Inspector and Senior Law Instructor, Police Training School is awarded Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Police Training.

The programme was followed by songs and cultural performances by the cultural troupes from Arunachal Pradesh, Aroha Junior Choir, KJP Higher Secondary School, BSF Higher Secondary School and Meghalaya Bharat Scouts and Guides. Others highlights of the celebration in the city included distribution of clothes and shoes to various NGOs and Institutes by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, Independence Day Run, sit and draw competition, football match, free cinema shows at Bijou, Galleria and Gold Digital besides Food court and live performances by various artists at Ward’s Lake.