51st Meghalaya Day celebrated with full pomp and gaiety

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJanuary 21, 2023

Meghalaya celebrated its 51st Statehood Day today at a programme held at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong with full pomp and gaiety.

In his address, Governor of Meghalaya, Brig. (Dr.) B D Mishra (Retd.) reminding that 51 years ago, the late Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi presided over the historic function of the creation of the full-fledged State of Meghalaya at Polo ground, Shillong.

The Governor also paid homage to the sacrifices made by the forebears, leaders like B B Lyngdoh, Edwin Bareh, Captain W A Sangma, H S Lyngdoh, Professor G G Swell, Stanley Nichols Roy, H Hynniewta, Wilson Reade, Professor R S Lyngdoh and many others in their noble pursuit to preserve the sacred heritage – their land, culture, traditions, language, history, rights and self rule.

The Governor also stated that in the past 51 years, the state has made good progress in agriculture, tourism, power generation, education, information technology and utilization of mineral resources and also reiterated the government’s commitment to wisely use the state’s resources and to revolutionize the administrative machineries in order to make Meghalaya a role model of all-round development.

Delivering his address, Chief Secretary, D P Wahlang said that the creation of our pristine and beautiful Hill State was the befitting culmination of long years of non-violent, persistent and united struggle of the people of the state.

He also emphasised on the initiatives taken by the government to address the challenges faced by the state and also to improve primarily in the field of education, health, rural development, agriculture, mobile connectivity and power sector.

During the day the Governor handed over the Meghalaya Day Excellence Awards 2022 to 18 government officials for their meritorious services to the public. He also distributed the prizes to the winners of the Meghalaya Day Run organised by the Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs.

During the programme the name of the recipients of Meghalaya Day Awards 2023 were announced, the awardee for U Tirot Sing Award 2023 in the field of Arts and Culture is Sweetymon Rynjah. The awardee of Pa Togan N Sangma Award 2023 for Social Service is Dr Jennifer V Basaiawmoit while U Kiang Nangbah Award 2023 for Sports is Klingson D Marak.

The Governor Police Medals for meritorious service for the year 2023 were also announced, the awardees for the year 2023 are: Additional Superintendent of Police, Shabbir Sayeed Dkhar, MPS, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSB), Vincent Nengminza Sangma, MPS, UBSI, Shri Iailamlang Iongi Jyrwa, UBSI, Sean Stanford Lywait, WPSI, Renu D Momin, Havildar, Shri Mewan Roy Pakma, Havildar Amplias Synnah, BN/975 Alphonse Lyngdoh and Fireman Pyarson R Marak.