Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 382/16

INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATED ACROSS THE STATE

Together with the rest of the country, 70th Independence Day was celebrated in all the District Headquarters, Sub-Divisions and Administrative Units with great fanfare and grandeur. At Tura, West Garo Hills, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Shri A. L. Hek unfurled the Tricolor and took the Rashtriya Salute of a 44 strong marching contingent comprising of State Police, Paramilitary and school students at the Dikkibandi Stadium, Dakopgre, Tura. During the day, meritorious awards were given to toppers of the SSLC and HSSLC examination. Besides, appreciation awards were distributed to government personnel and young achievers of the District. The celebration ended with prizes distribution to the winners of the marching contingent and cultural presentations. The Chief Guest also witnessed the friendly football match played between surrendered GNLA cadres and members of the disbanded UALA at the stadium. At Nongpoh, Ri Bhoi District, the Chief Adviser to the Government of Meghalaya, Dr DD Lapang unfurled the tri-color and took the Rashtriya Salute of a 27 marching contingents including the Police, Scouts & Guides, students from different schools and a Band troop of St.Paul’s H/S school 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. Other highlights of the celebration included tree plantation at Circuit House, Nongpoh and distribution of food packages to the inmates of Leprosy Colony, Nongpoh, Civil Hospital, Nongpoh, Orphanage, Mawtnum and Children’s home of Nongpoh & Saiden. At Resubelpara, North Garo Hills District, Power Minister, Shri Clement Marak unfurled the National Tri Color and took the Rashtriya salute of the 23 parade contingents comprising of the police, NCC, Scouts and Guides and students. Cultural programme, cash awards to renowned sport athletes given by District Sports Promotion Society and tree plantation were the highlights of the day-long celebration. At Ampati, South West Garo Hills, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Zenith Sangma unfurled the Tricolor and took the Rashtriya Salute of the 30 marching contingents. The Chief Guest, accompanied by Dengnakpara MDC, S Sangma, Boldamgre MDC, Stevie M Marak and South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Cyril V D Diengdoh, also planted tree saplings in the periphery of the stadium to mark the occasion. The highlights of the day were sports for children and an exhibition football match. In the evening local rock bands enthralled the audience at a rock concert organized at the venue. The day also marked the end of fortnight-long celebration of “Independence Fortnight 2016” with a series of events spreading across the district.

At Williamnagar, East Garo Hills District, Urban Affairs Minister, Dr. Ampareen Lyngdoh unfurled the National Flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of the 32 marching contingents led by Victor N. Sangma, Dy SP at Rongrenggre Higher Secondary School playground, Williamnagar. Other highlights of the day include cultural programmes and a Football Exhibition Match between DC XI and Public XI. At Nongstoin, West Khasi Hills District, Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Shri.A.T. Mondal, unfurled the National Flag and took the salute of the 34 parade contingents comprising of the Police, NCC, Scouts and Guides and school children at an impressive function held at St. Peter’s Higher Secondary School. Other highlights of the day included cultural programmes, sports, tree plantation at Pyndengrei and Civil Hospital, Nongstoin, sports for children and distribution of eatables to patients of Civil Hospital, TB Hospital, Green Pastures Orphanage, Pyndengrei, St. Peter’s Orphanage and S. Wollington Childrens’ Home, Nongpyndeng. At Mawkyrwat, South West Khasi Hills District, Shri Rowell Lyngdoh, Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya unfurled the Tricolor and took the salute of the 16 parade contingents comprising of police, scouts and guides and school students at Maharam Government Higher Secondary School. The highlights of the day were cultural programmes, sports and games, distribution of prizes to the winners in the March past and cultural programmes followed by tree plantation at Tynrong-Mawlangwir village, Mawkyrwat. Sweets and gift packages were also distributed to the inmates of Hope orphanage and patients of CHC, Mawkyrwat.

At Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills District, PWD Minister, Shri S. Dhar unfurled the National Flag at Khliehriat Higher Secondary School and took the salute of the 19 march past contingents of police and students. Cultural items, skits, songs and dances, para-motoring were also performed on the occasion. The Minister also planted tree saplings at DC office premises. At Jowai, West Jaintia Hills District, thousands of enthusiastic citizens gathered at Jrisalein Playground to join in the celebration wherein the Deputy Chief Minister, Prof. R.C Laloo unfurled the National flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of the 32 marching contingents. To make the day more colourful, cultural songs and dances were performed by the students from various schools and from the localities of Jowai Town. A special number was also presented by the Jowai Officers Club. Later, prizes were distributed to the winners of the marching contingent and winners of the Debate and Quiz competition. The District Administration also conducted Slow Motor Cycle race and Slow Cycle race and the winners were awarded with cash prize of Rs. 3000/-, Rs. 2000/- and Rs.1000/- respectively. The day ended with the final of the Independence Cup Football Match at Kiang Nangbah Stadium, Ladthadlaboh. At Baghmara, South Garo Hills District, the C&RD Minister Mr. P. Tynsong unfurled the National Flag and took the salute of the marching contingents comprising of DEF, Baghmara, 4th MLP Battalion, NSS Boys & Girls from the Captain Williamson Government Memorial College at District Sports Office Playground, Baghmara. Other highlights of the day included tree plantation, children sports and exhibition football match between the District Officers and Baghmara citizens. At Dadengiri Civil Sub-Division, Cherak W. Momin, MLA and Parliamentary Secretary, Government of Meghalaya unfurled the National Flag and took the rashtriya salute of the 12 marching contingents comprising of the police and students. Other highlights of the day were patriotic songs, dances and skits performed by students, sports and cinema show for children. Certificates and trophies were also awarded to the winners of march past and cultural programme.

At Mairang Civil Sub-Division, Home Minister, Smti Roshan Warjri unfurled the National Flag and took the salute of the 22 marching contingents comprising of the Police, NCC cadets(Junior Division and Junior Wing) and school students at the Madan Dommawlum, Pyndengumiong. Cultural programmes, final football match organised by the SDO (C) and BDO, screening of National Award winning movie by noted filmmaker Shri Pradip Kurbah , "Onaatah" at the Tirot Sing Hall, Pyndengumiong etc were the other highlights of the day. At Amlarem Civil Sub-Division, Parliamentary Secretary for Sports and Youth Affairs and local MLA, Shri. S. Mukhim unfurled the Tricolor and took the salute parade contingents comprising of the police and school students at an impressive function held at Amlarem LP School playground. The chief guest planted tree saplings in front of the newly constructed S.S.A building of Amlarem L.P. school. The Amlarem Civil Sub-Division also received 1000 tree saplings to be distributed for plantation in schools Government offices and the community. Meritorious students from the sub-division who performed exceedingly well in the SSLC and HSSlC examinations were also felicitated with cash awards and certificates. At Sohra Civil Sub-Division, Shri. Justine Dkhar, MLA unfurled the National Flag and took the rashtriya salute of the 18 marching contingents comprising Meghalaya Police, DEF Shillong and MLP Sohra Police Station, 2nd Meghalaya Battalion NCC, 61st NCC contingents of Ram Krishna Mission School and 11 Schools of Sohra Civil Sub-Division at Sohra Sports Stadium, Saitsohpen, Sohra. Other highlights of the day included cultural programmes, distribution of Gift Packages to the patients of Sohra N.R.M Hospital, St. John Orphanage Home, Maraikaphon, Sohra and Borsing Syiem Children’s Home, Mawsmai and a Football Match between Officers XI and Teachers XI.

At Patharkhmah Administrative Unit, the Chairman of Khadi Board and Cottage Industry, Shri Julius Dorphang unfurled the tri-color and took the Rashtriya Salute of the 11 marching contingents including the Police and students from different schools at Patharkhmah Playground. Other highlights of the programme included presentation of patriotic songs and dances by school children and also a Friendly Football Match. The day ended with the prize distribution to the winner of March past and Cultural show. At Mawshynrut Administrative Unit, the celebration was held at Riangdo playground whereby Shri.P.D.Sangma ADM Nongstoin hoisted the National Flag and took the salute of the 8 parade contingents of the police and school students. Other programme included cultural items, prize distribution and distribution of gifts to the disabled persons by the Chief Guest. At Shangpung Elaka, Independence Day was celebrated at Hula Playground, Shangpung Moosyiem where Parliamentary Secretary, Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh, unfurled the National flag and took the Rashtriya salute of the marching contingents. The other highlights of the day included patriotic songs and cultural dance presented by the students. Later, Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh inaugurated the new College bus of Shangpung College and a waste collection truck (garbage truck) in the presence of the local MLA Shri. Coming one Ymbon. Independence Day was also celebrated at Ranikor Block, South West Khasi Hills District wherein Shri M M Danggo, MLA, unfurled the National Flag and took the salute of the marching contingents comprising of different schools at a grand function held at Nolikata playground. Cultural programmes, sports and games were the other highlights of the day.