M'laya celebrates 46th Statehood Day

15 State Government employees given away Meghalaya Day Excellence Award

From a Correspondent

Shillong, Jan 22:  The 46th Meghalaya Day was celebrated with grandeur at U Soso Tham Auditorium here on Monday.

State Governor Ganga Prasad attended the celebration as the chief guest in the presence of State Chief Secretary Y Tsering, government officials and functiories, among others.

During his address, the Governor said that the long-cherished aspirations of the people of the State were met on this day 46 years ago. He further said that the statehood movement was a people’s movement and in spite of numerous challenges the united efforts of visiory leaders and the desire of the people for recognition of their traditions and values ensured the people a State of their own.

The Governor also acknowledged the sacrifices and contributions of the leaders and forefathers to protect the sacred heritage, customs, traditions and practices of the State. The Governor also said that while the people are fortute to have a State of their own, it is the responsibility of every citizen to strive for progress and development in the State.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya Chief Secretary Y Tsering said that on the 46th year of Statehood Day the citizens of the State should introspect whether they have been able to live up to the expectations of leaders who struggled to give them a separate State. “It’s time to pause and look back whether we have been able to live up to the aspirations of those who led the statehood movement,” Tsering said.

 Tsering also reminded that during the first anniversary of Meghalaya attaining statehood, over a lakh people attended the celebrations and lamented the fact that today there is no such fervor. 

“The enthusiasm of achieving statehood is dying. On this day we need to remember those who gave us our statehood,” Tsering said. 

According to the State Chief Secretary, the literacy rate of the State has seen an improvement with 74.4 per cent  population of Meghalaya are literate as per the 2011 census.

Tsering also pointed out that Meghalaya has prestigious institutions like North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) and Indian Institute of Magement (IIM). He, however, said there is still room for improvement in the education sector. “But in rural areas development in education has not picked up. Shillong is losing its tag of educatiol hub in the Northeast. There is need to do more to regain its lost glory,” Tsering said.

In the health sector the Chief Secretary pointed out if enough facilities have been built in the State which so far has 12 district hospitals, 29 community health centres and 109 primary health centres. He said that Infant Mortality Rate and Materl Mortality Rate in the State have come down, but not to the expected extent.

Tsering also stated that even though the State now has better roads and highways, yet many villages in the State remain unconnected.

“We have made stride but there are many things left to be done,” Tsering said.

The Chief Secretary, however, said that with Meghalaya gaining statehood the indigenous people of the State have been able to preserve their rich culture and tradition. “The tribals have been able to retain their true ture,” Tsering said.

Meanwhile, 15 State government employees were given away the Meghalaya Day Excellence Award by the Governor.