Meghalaya on Monday officially celebrated its 46th Statehood Day with a day-long programme. Though January 21 was the big day, but the Christian dominated hill state of the North-east deferred the celebrations by a day as the Statehood Day fell on a Sunday.
Addressing the main function at U Soso Tham Auditorium in Shillong, State Governor Ganga Prasad reiterated the statehood movement was a ‘people’s movement’, and said despite myriad of challenges, the consorted efforts of the leaders with a definite vision and the utmost desire of the indigenous people ensured a state of their own with an aim to preserve their traditional culture and values.
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The Governor also said that while it’s an honour to have a state of their own, it is the solemn duty of every citizen to strive towards all-round progress and development of the State.
The Governor also gave away the Meghalaya Day Excellence Awards 2018 to 15 government employees from various departments for their exemplary performance in rendering their respective duties. A flower show cum competition was also organized by the Department of Horticulture as a part of the Statehood Day celebrations.
The 46th Statehood Day was also celebrated in West Garo Hills District at D C Park, Tura under the aegis of the district administration. West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, graced the occasion as the chief guest in the programme.
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Addressing the gathering, Ram Singh reminisced on the statehood movement when a handful of visionaries from the State driven by the zeal of the people started the movement for a separate state to be carved out from Assam. He also said the present generation should always hold the forerunners of the State with dignity and strive for development of the State in all fronts.
He also urged the students to go beyond the textbooks and study their culture and tradition gathering field experience.
“Meghalaya is blessed with spectacular landscape and scenic beauty and I want every citizen to keep their surrounding clean and green and not litter places,” he further said.
During the function, Gracie Field K Marak, retired principal, Christian Girls Higher Secondary School, Tura and Winnish K Sangma, retired teacher, Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Tura were feted for their outstanding contribution to the field of education towards the A?chik community.