Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 127/23

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION, 2023

In the state capital Shillong, Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K Sangma hoisted the National Flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of 18 Parade Contingents comprising of the BSF, CRPF, MLP, Tripura State Rifles, Unitarian Hr. Secondary School Puriang, Holy Cross Secondary School, Nongmensong, Nongrah Secondary School, Nongrah, NCC  boys and girls, Meghalaya Bharat Scouts and Guides, Laban Presbyterian Hr. Secondary School, Little Flower Secondary School, Seven Set Hr. Secondary School, BSF Sr. Secondary School, Auxilium Girls Hr. Secondary School, Brookside Adventist Hr. Secondary School, Horse contingent of Assam Rifles Higher Secondary School and brass band of Border Wing Home Guards.

The Chief Minister also handed over the Arts and Craft Villages Award for the overall collective mastery of their arts and crafts practices and their continued contribution towards the protection, preservation and promotion of the culture heritage and legacy of the State, to Wahkhen village in East Khasi Hills District for its traditional instruments and musicians and their inherent skills with bamboo crafts, Larnai village in West Jaintia Hills District for its traditional Black Clay Pottery, Pahambir village in Ri Bhoi District for its folklore, Tangmang village, East Khasi Hills for its refined bamboo mat, Mairang village, Eastern West Khasi Hills District for being an art hub known to be full of artistic minds abounding in the art of sculptures, paintings, woodcrafts, woodcut and print making and  Amindagre village in West Garo Hills, the only village that resembles a living wood crafts museum and also known for its wood and stone crafts.

The Chief Minister also presented the State Literary Award for the year 2010 to (L) Rev. Dr. Iarlington Kharkongor for his book “Ka Nongrim ban tei bad tehsong ia ka iing ka sem ka Ri bad Jaitbynriew” for Khasi Literature and (L) B S Bangshall for his book “Sonajing” for Garo Literature. The State Literary award for the year 2011 has been conferred to (L) Dr. J.  S. Shangpliang for his book “Ka Khet” for Khasi Literature and Lwellyn R Marak for his book “Pagitchamrangni Agana” for Garo Literature. On the occasion, prizes were distributed to the winners of March Past who took part in the Independence Day celebration wherein the 1st Prize was bagged by Holy Cross Secondary School, Nongmensong. Brookside Adventist Hr. Secondary School emerged 1st  Runners up and Nongrah Presbyterian Secondary School bagged the 2nd Runners up trophy.

Smti R. M. Kurbah, Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District handed the Kayakalp Awards 2022 2023 for East Khasi Hills District to Ganesh Das Govt. MCH Hospital, Shillong for Best District Hospital and Eco friendly District Hospital, Civil Hospital, Shillong for Commendation Award for District Hospital, Sohra CHC for Best CHC and Eco friendly Award, Mawphlang CHC and Sohiong CHC for Commendation Award for CHC, Thynroit HWC SC and Thangsning HWC SC for being the winner and runner up award for HWC SC respectively, Kharang HWC SC for Commendation Award for HWC SC and Umsohsun UPHC for Commendation Award for UPHC. The Megha Health Insurance Scheme (MHIS) and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) has identified health facilities as top performers in East Khasi Hills District. The health facilities included Diengiei PHC under PHC category, Bansara Eye Center under the Eye Care Hospital category and Dr. H. Gordon Roberts Hospital under Private Hospital category.

The East Khasi Hills District Social Welfare Office conferred the DSWO Award to Smti. Saduka Rangad, Probation Officer, Special Home, Boys, Mawkasiang, New Shillong in appreciation of her outstanding dedication and service above and beyond the call of duty towards Child Protection Services.

Police Medal for Meritorious Service Awardees was also announced whereby the recipients included Shri Lumlang John Malngiang, Havildar, East Jaintia Hills DEF and Shri Ram Phawa, Havildar, Police Taining School, Umran. The recipient of Union Home Ministers Medal for Excellence in Investigation for the year 2023 is Smti. Salmay R Marak, Sub Inspector, West Garo Hills DEF. Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service Awardees was also announced whereby the recipients are Shri Dawrupaia Passah, Leading Fireman and Shri Iengborsing Majaw, Fireman.

Presidents Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Distinguished Service was awarded to Shri Merinpole Koksi Sangma, Joint Director of Civil Defence. Home Guards and Civil Defence Medals for Meritorious Service to Shri Bakstar Mynsong, Sub Inspector (HG) and Shri Ram Charles Lamare, Havildar (HG) were also announced on the occasion.

Press Release No. 128/23

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATED ACROSS THE STATE

At Tura, West Garo Hills, Speaker, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Mr. Thomas A Sangma hoisted the Tricolor and took the Rashtriya Salute of a 21 strong marching contingent comprising of 2nd MLP Battalion, Tura DEF, NCC, Scouts and Guides and school students at Dikkibandi Stadium, Dakopgre, Tura. At Nongpoh, Ri Bhoi District,  Excise Minister, Mr. Kyrmen Shylla, hoisted the tricolor and took the Rashtriya Salute of the 32 marching contingent including the District Police, 6 th  Battalion, Home Guards, NCC, Bands of St. Pauls and students from different schools at NSCA Mini Stadium Pahamsyiem, Nongpoh. The programme included patriotic songs and dances performed by school children and prize distribution to the best march past contingents and winners in cultural presentations and marathon. At Resubelpara, North Garo Hills District, Cooperation Minister, Mr. Comingone Ymbon,hoisted the National Tri Color and took the Rashtriya salute of the 25 parade contingent led by Parade Commander UBSI Priyanka Marak and 2nd Commander UBSI Sengwat Marak at Mini Stadium, Resubelpara. At Ampati, South West Garo Hills, Power Minister, Mr. Abu Taher Mondal, hoisted the Tricolor and took the Rashtriya Salute of the 28 marching contingent consisting of the District Police, NCC and Scouts and Guides from various schools of the District at Ampati Students Field.

At Williamnagar, East Garo Hills District, PHE Minister, Mr. Marcuise N Marak, hoisted the National Flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of the 31 marching contingent comprising of East Garo Hills DEF, 5 th MLP Bn, NCC, schools, Bharat Scouts and Guides. At Nongstoin, West Khasi Hills District, Tourism Minister, Bah Paul Lyngdoh, hoisted the National Flag and took the salute of the 24 parade contingent comprising of the police, home guard, NCC, scouts and guides and school students at St. Peters Higher Secondary School. At Mawkyrwat, South West Khasi Hills District, Fisheries Minister, Mr. Alexander L Hek, hoisted the Tricolor and took the salute of the 7 parade contingent comprising of police, NCC and school students at Nativity Higher Secondary School playground, Mawkyrwat. At Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills District, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr. Mrs. M Ampareen Lyngdoh, hoisted the National Flag at Khliehriat Higher Secondary School Playground and took the salute of the 22 march past contingent of police, NCC, Scouts and Guides and students.

At Jowai, West Jaintia Hills District, Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Sniawbhalang Dhar hoisted the National Flag and took the Rashtriya salute of the 29 contingent comprising of District Police, NCC, Meghalaya Bharat Scout and Guides and schools. At Baghmara, South Garo Hills District, Education Minister, Mr. Rakkam A Sangma, hoisted the National Flag and took the salute of the 23 marching contingent led by Parade Commander Mr. Nightingbirth Marak. At Mairang, Eastern West Khasi Hills District, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister, Mr. Shakliar Warjri hoisted the National Flag and took the salute of the 24 marching contingents comprising of police, home guard, NCC, scout and guide and school students at Dommawlum, playground, Pyndengumiong Mairang.

At Dadenggre Civil Sub Division, Mr. Sanjay Sangma, MLA hoisted the Tri Color and took the Rashtriya salute of the 13 parade marching contingent. At Amlarem Civil Sub Division, Mr. Lahkmen Rymbui, MLA hoisted the Tricolor and took the salute of the 7 parade contingent comprising of the police and school students. At Sohra Civil Sub Division, Deputy Speaker, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Mr. Timothy D Shira, hoisted the National Flag to the tune of the National Anthem and took the rashtriya salute of the marching contingents comprising of Meghalaya Police, East Khasi Hills, 4 contingents of NCC, 11 contingents of students from different schools of Sohra at Sohra Sports Stadium, Saitsohpen, Sohra. At Pynursla Civil Sub Division, Mr. Gavin Mylliem, MLA hoisted the Tricolor and took the salute of the 19 parade contingent at Umkor Urksew Pynursla Sports Club (UUPSC), Stadium, Pynursla.

At Chokpot Civil Sub Division, Mr. Sengchim N Sangma, MLA hoisted the Tricolor and took the salute of the 16 parade contingents at Government School Playground Chokpot Civil Sub Division. At Raksamgre Civil Sub Division, Mr. Limison D Sangma, MLA hoisted the Tricolor and took the rashtriya salute of the parade contingent. At Mawshynrut Civil Sub Division, Mr. Methodius Dkhar, MLA, hoisted the National Flag and took the Rastriya salute of 16 parade contingents of the police and the school and college students at Riangdo Playground. At Ranikor Civil Sub Division, Mr. Pius Marwein, MLA hoisted the Tricolor and took the salute of the 9 parade contingent at Nolikata playground, Ranikor.

At Patharkhmah, Mr. Sosthenes Sohtun, MLA hoisted the National Flag and took the salute of 9 marching contingent including MLP and students from different schools. At Rongjeng Civil Sub Division, Mr. Jim M Sangma, MLA hoisted the Tricolor in the presence of SDO (Civil), Reuben Ch Momin, BDO, local leaders and other dignitaries. At Jengjal Civil Sub Division, Mr. Ian Botham K Sangma, MLA, hoisted the Tri Colour and took the Rashtriya salute of the 8 marching contingent comprising of the 2nd MLP battalion and Scouts and Guides. At Dalu Civil Sub Division, Mr. Brening A Sangma, MLA hoisted the Tricolor and took the salute of the 6 parade contingents comprising of the police, paramilitary forces, scouts and guides and school students at an impressive function held at Sacred Heart Secondary School Ground. At Hima Shangpung Laskein C and RD Block, Independence Day was celebrated at Hula Playground, Shangpung Moosyiem where Mrs. Santa Mary Shylla, MLA hoisted the National flag.