Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 221/21

75TH INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATED IN SHILLONG

Along with the rest of the country, Meghalaya also today celebrated the 75th Independence Day across the state. In the State capital, Shillong, the Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K. Sangma hoisted the National Flag at Polo Ground, Shillong and took the Rashtriya Salute of three Parade Contingents comprising BSF, CRPF and SF10, Meghalaya Police and the Brass Band of the Border Wing Home Guards.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister also released a book titled “Celebrating India@75”, a collaborative effort of the Department of Arts and Culture and the Synod College Management Authority and the Meghalaya Freedom Song, commissioned by the Department of Arts and Culture, Government of Meghalaya in commemoration of 75 years of India’s Independence. The Chief Minister also felicitated the health workers and front line workers who have been working tirelessly in the fight against the COVID-19 and handed over the citation on their behalf to Dr. R. Tariang, Dr. P. Manners and Dr. Robert Marak. The Chief Minister also handed over the award under the Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) to Mawsynram CHC and Laitlyngkot PHC and Diengiei PHC for the top performing CHC and PHCs.

As part of the celebrations it was announced that the President Police Medal for Distinguished Service is awarded to Shri Heimonlang Nongpluh, IPS, Addl. Director General of Police (SB/CID), Meghalaya, Shillong, the Police Medal for Meritorious Service to Shri Manoj Singh, UB-Sub-Inspector, Computer Wing PHQ, Meghalaya, Shillong, the Union Home Minister's Medal for Excellence in Investigation to Shri Anurag Kumar, IPS, Dy. Inspector General of Police (WR), Meghalaya, Tura and Shri Banraplang Jyrwa, MPS, Dy. Superintendent of Police (City), East Khasi Hills, Shillong, the Police Medal for Gallantry to Constable Dansing Lyngkhoi, UBSI. Ahmed Ali Sheikh, UBSI. Tony M Sangma, Constable Tushar F. N. Marak, UBSI. Ronald Life Snaize Nongrum, U/Lnk Prem Bahadur Chetry, Constable Farewell Sohshang and Constable Luckystar Lyngdoh Nonglait, the Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service to Shri Cleverest Marbaniang, Fireman and Shri Stalinshon Wahlang, Driver Constable and the Fire Service Medals and Home Guards & Civil Defence Medals for Meritorious Service to Shri Social Dkhar Havildar (HG) and Shri Romulus Pynbhalang Khongwar Senior Staff Officer (HG)

Press Release No. 222/21

INDEPENDENCE DAY 2021 CELEBRATION ACROSS THE STATE

At Nongpoh, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Shri Prestone Tynsong hoisted the National Flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of five parade contingents of 6th Battalion Meghalaya Police Umran and a band troop of St. Pauls’ Higher Secondary School Nongpoh at NSCA Mini Stadium Pahamsyiem, Nongpoh. Other highlights of the day include distribution of awards for best PHC, best CHC, best Private Hospital, award for a village achieving 100 percent vaccination, Entrepreneur Championship Award, Online Competition, Award for Covid warriors of 6th Battalion Meghalaya Police Umran and distribution of prizes to the winners of the cultural programme. The celebration also highlighted by patriotic songs and dances, showcase of training on Boxing and distribution of food package to the inmates of civil hospital, leprosy colony, children home, Saiden and Jail Inmates. At Nongstoin, Meghalaya Home Minister, Shri Lahkmen Rymbui hoisted the National Flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of three police contingents of West Khasi Hills District Executive Force, the 4th MLP Bn Sohpian and Home Guards at St. Peter’s Higher Secondary School playground Pyndengrei, Nongstoin. Other highlights of the day included cultural programme, awards to PHC, CHC and District Hospital category, where Pariong PHC, Nongkhlaw CHC and Nongstoin Civil Hospital were selected as the top performing PHC, CHC and District Hospital respectively in the District. The celebration ended with the distribution of eatables to patients of Nongstoin Civil Hospital, St. Peter’s Green Pasture Orphanage, Pyndengrei, S.Wollington Children’s Home, Nongpyndeng and Shelter Homes for Boys and Girls and Nondein New Nongstoin. At Jowai, Urban Affairs Minister, Shri Sniawbhalang Dhar hoisted the National Flag at Jrisalein playground. The Minister acknowledged the service and contributions made by frontline workers of COVID-19, including doctors, nurses, health workers and policemen who have put their lives at risk to protect the masses. He also distributed certificates of appreciation to health workers.

At Tura, Minister for Agriculture, Banteidor Lyngdoh hoisted the National Flag today at Matchakolgre L P School Field, New Tura and took the Rashtriya Salute of Parade Contingents comprising of Tura DEF, 2nd MLP Battalion, Goeragre and Home Guards. During the function, the Chief Guest presented the Certificate of Recognition for Frontline Covid Warrior to Gracefield Marak and Tengsrang B Marak, Tura Municipal Board for their continuous duty. Further, the Chief Guest also felicitated the Tura Civil Hospital with a Certificate of Appreciation for its outstanding dedication and effort during the COVID-19 pandemic. Futhermore, the Chief Guest presented the Certificates of Appreciation to Dr. Gauri G Momin, Senior Medical and Health Officer, 2nd BN MLP Unit Hospital Goeragre and Clyforth K Sangma, Hav/Compounder, Unit Hospital, Goeragre. Certificates of Appreciation were also presented to Selsella CHC and Purakhasia PHC for their performance under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya and Megha Health Insurance Scheme. At Williamnagar, Meghalaya Health Advisory Board Chairman, Shri Rakkam A Sangma, hoisted the National Flag and took the Rashtriya salute of the marching contingent represented by the East Garo Hills District Executive Force of Meghalaya Police at Rongrenggre Higher Secondary School playground. The highlights of the celebration included a cultural program and tableau presentation by the District Horticulture Office, District A. H. and Veterinary, District Fishery Office, District Health and Family Welfare, District Sericulture Office on Silk Mark India. On the occasion, the Chief Guest gave away Certificates to five villages for achieving 100 percent Covid-19 Vaccinations namley Chiringro Village, Nokilawe, Nengmandalgre, Chima Songgital and Dolwarigre A. Bansamgre Primary Health Centre (PHC) bagged the best performing PHC in East Garo Hills. At Baghmara, Shri Marcuise N Marak, MLA hoisted the National Flag and took Rashtriya salute of the parade contingent from the District Police at Baghmara Sports playground. During the celebration, certificates of appreciation were awarded to the Siju PHC and Nongalbibra PHC for being the top performing PHC based on the utilization of MHIS packages. The Distribution of Micro ATM was also done during the program by the Chief Guest to three identified Businesses Correspondence by NRLM to Smt Crystalline Sangma of Dalnigre SHG, Dmt Rikse D Shira of Rikmatchu SHG, Chambil Badima and Smt Noringchi Ch Sangma Evergreen SHG Minfikgre. At Resubelpara, Deputy Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Shri Timothy D. Shira hoisted the National Flag and took Rashtriya Salute of the parade contingent represented by the District Police at Resubelpara Mini Stadium. Felicitation of the lone topper of the district in MBOSE SSLC 2021 examination and villages with 100percent Covid vaccination coverage were the other highlights of the day. At Mawkyrwat, PHE Minister and Local MLA Shri Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar hoisted the National Flag and took Rashtriya Salute in a programme held at the playground of Maharam Government Higher Secondary School, Mawkyrwat. In recognition for their hard work and dedication in the fight against Covid-19, the District Administration, during the celebration, gave away awards for Good Performance in Mobilisation of COVID-19 Vaccination drive to villages, Zonal Magistrates, Sector Officers, Gramsevak, ASHAs and Anganwadi workers. Villages which have achieved 100 percent vaccination namely Mawlangwir, Nongmawlein, Nongnad, Sohkhyllam, Rangblang, Sohsynniang and Wahsiej, will be sanctioned Rs. 5 lacs each for any developmental scheme of their choice by Meghalaya Basin Development Agency (MBDA). Mementos were given to villages and Certificate was given to Zonal/Sector and COVID Warriors. Mawthawpdah PHC was awarded as the top performing PHC by MHIS.

At Ampati, Minister for Power, etc, Shri James P.K. Sangma hoisted the National Flag and took Rashtriya Salute of the parade contingent of 2nd MLP Ampati held at Ampati Mini Stadium. The Minister also felicitated five villages of the district that achieved 100percent vaccination coverage of both first and second doses. It may be noted that nearly 30 villages in the district have achieved 100percent vaccination under 18-44 years and 45plus categories and were also felicitated in the block-level celebrations. Altogether 74 ASHAs of the district were also felicitated for their untiring efforts and selfless services to contain the spread of the Covid -19 virus at the grassroots level. On the occasion, Belbari PHC and Zikzak PHC were also awarded as the top performing health facilities in South West Garo Hills under MHIS-PMJAY and three meritorious students of the district were also felicitated by the Minister. As part of the celebration the Minister also released the Freedom Folk Fusion Song “Freedom like a dawn that breaks into the Indian sky” commissioned by the Arts and Culture department, Govt of Meghalaya in commemoration of 75 years of India’s Independence. In remembrance of the martyrs during the celebration, Shaheed CT/D (CRPF) Sugandha Koch of Gandhipara village, South West Garo Hills, who laid down his life in the service of the nation during an operation against the Maoist-Naxalites on 4th May, 2005, was given a special honour in the presence of his wife Purnima Koch. At Khliehriat, Minister of Social Welfare, Shri Kyrmen Shylla hoisted the National Flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of the parade contingent represented by the Meghalaya Police at Khliehriat Higher Secondary School Playground, Khliehriat The best performing PHC was awarded to Pamra Paithlu PHC and Khliehriat CHC received the award for the best performing CHC. In East Jaintia Hills District, Malidor village was awarded by the Minister for being the first village to attain 100percent coverage of Covid-19 vaccination. At Mairang Civil Sub Division, Meghalaya Minister for Water Resources etc, Shri Brolding Nongsiej hoisted the Tri-Colour Flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of the marching contingent of the Police at the celebration held at Madan Dommawlum, Pyndengumiong, Mairang. During the program, the Sub-Divisional Administration handed cash awards to Kevinstrong Lawriniang and Queen Annable Ann Basaiawmoit of St. Thomas Higher Secondary School, Mairang for their outstanding performance in the recently announced SSLC results by occupying the 1st and 10th positions respectively and appreciation certificates were also handed over on the occasion to the Best ANMs, AWWs, Gram Sewaks and Block ASHAs of Mairang and Mawthadraishan C and RD Blocks. Lawbyrtun, Umthied Lawkasoin, Mawteijrong and Kynshi Mawria villages of Mawthadraishan C and RD Blocks and Jadap village of Mairang C and RD Block were handed commendation certificates for achieving 100 percent COVID-19 vaccination coverage. After the program, the dignitaries laid floral wreaths at the statue of U Tirot Sing Syiem located at Madan Mot Tirot, Mairang Mission, Mairang. At Sohra Civil Sub-Division, Minister of C and RD Shri Hamlet Dohling hoisted the National Flag and took Rashtriya Salute of the marching contingent of District Executive Force at Sohra sports stadium, Saitsohpen sohra. At Amlarem Civil Sub-Division, Minister of Fisheries, Shri Dasakhait Lamare hoisted the National Flag at the Syiem Jingsuk Higher Secondary School, Lai Lyngdoh. At Dadenggre Civil Sub-Division, Shri Thomas A Sangma, Adviser to the Chief Minister, hoisted the national flag and took Rasthtriya salute at Dadenggre Football Playground.

Press Release No. 223/21

ONLINE PHILATELY EXHIBITION

A special cover celebrating “Azadi Ke Amrit Mohotsav” was released today by Shri. F Roy Kharkongor, Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Arts and Culture, Meghalaya in the presence of Shri. Amitabh Kharkwal, Chief Postmaster General, North East Circle, Shillong, and Shri Subhash Chandra Barik, Director of Postal Services. The programme marked the conclusion of the weeklong online Philately Exhibition celebrating “Azadi Ke Amrit Mohotsav”.

The programme was held at the office of the Postal Service (HQ), North East Circle, Shillong.

Addressing the gathering, Shri. F Roy Kharkongor said that postage stamps have a legacy value that outlasts many other things and reveal a great deal about the history of the Nation. Adding that the exhibition has helped showcase many facets of the fascinating journey of our country, he expressed gratitude to the Postal Department for the initiative and looked forward to meaningful future collaborations.

The exhibition was organized by the Department of Posts, North East Circle in association with the Department of Arts & Culture, Government of Meghalaya and North East Philatelic Society

Many Philatelists from the North East States participated in the exhibition focusing on themes like Freedom Struggle, India@75, Progress of India, etc. People can visit the exhibition which will be available for an entire year at www.indiaat75ne.com