43rd Meghalaya Day Celebrations In Shillong

43rd Meghalaya Day Celebrations In Shillong

The honorable Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr Mukul Sangmaand other senior dignitaries of the Government of Meghalaya were present at the U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong Meghalaya to inaugurateits Statehood, 43rd Meghalaya Day, 2015.
The state was carved out of an undivided Assam on January 21, 1972 after the North Eastern Re-organization Act of 1971, was passed in the Parliament.

“Destination Meghalaya is our agenda” the Chief Minister said to showcase the positive visibilities of education, healthcare and hospitality of the State of Meghalaya for the world to see.Meghalaya embraced the various aspects of being self-reliant in the various sectors of education, health care and the challenges of employment in today’s world.

He stressed on the need to reconnect with the past to create a peaceful and harmonic state. Where one can recreate an environment of peace and hope around the state, to be able to ensure reasonable challenges and responsibility of natural and human resource and capabilities for a positive landscape.

“Peaceful movements are the best form of movements,” he said.There is a need to send a strong message to those who are engaging in the futile exercise of violence as peaceful movements are more productive.

Chief Advisor to Meghalaya Government, DD Lapang recalled the contributions of pioneers like Captain Williamson Sangma and others who undertook the journey to achieve Meghalaya, its Statehood.

The Chief Minister and senior dignitaries in the government gave away the Meghalaya Day Excellence Awards and prizes to the winners of various competitions organized as part of the celebrations.

The day was filled with festivities showcasing the rich diversity of culture within Meghalaya. The festival recently saw freestyle BMX and motorbike shows organized at Polo Grounds, Shillong by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs.
On the auspicious Statehood day itself, the festivities began with the Meghalaya Day run organized by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs. Then came a painting competition held at U Soso Tham Auditorium, organized by the Department of Arts and Culture. The Directorate of horticulture organized an intimate flower show at the State Central Library premises with events full of fun and games also being children planned by the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills.

The Ward’s Lake was transformed into a free entry zone throughout the day with free boat rides available for children up to the age of 15 and with a special illumination of the lake by the Department of Tourism.

A friendly football match was also played between The Shillong Press Club and the Khasi Student’s Union Central Body at the Jawahar lal Nehru Stadium, supported by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs. The game was organized to raise donations for the flood victims of Meghalaya.

The day’s festivities culminated with a peace concert at the Polo Parking Lot, which rejuvenated the evening’s cold sky with the traditional Khasi Jaintia and Garo music and the performances by the local bands were also showcased reflecting the rich diversity of Meghalaya. Cuisine’s comprising of the most ethnic of foods were offered. While a choreographed firework display organized by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations and Department of Arts and Culture ended a harmonious nightfilled with hope and unity as Meghalaya enabled itself to realize a dream.

Photo Courtesy :Peter Wallang