Tura, Jan 21: Together with the rest of the State, the 53rd Meghalaya Statehood Day was celebrated today at D C Park, Tura where Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills Jagdish Chelani spoke of the transformation taking place across the state, particularly in the education sector where Meghalaya has recently opened its first state university, outside Tura.
Speaking on the occasion, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Jagdish Chelani extended his warm greetings to the people of the district and reminded the dedication and aspiration of the leaders of Meghalaya Hill State Movement Captain W A Sangma, B B Lyngdoh, Hopingstone Lyngdoh and many others who paved the way to Statehood. He also mentioned the recent inauguration of the Captain Williamson State University in South West Garo Hills which is an initiative towards the development of the State in the education sector and expressed his gratitude to all the officials for making the event successful.
Associate Professor, Department of History, Tura Government College, Jessica A Sangma highlighted on the History of the Formation of Meghalaya State right from the time when Meghalaya was part of Assam with semi-autonomous status, the movement for separate hill state, submission of memorandum to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru by Khasi National Durbar under the Presidentship of Wilson Reade in 1952, emergence of Hill Leaders in 1955, non- violent agitation of APHLC on 10th September 1068 till the introduction of Assam Reorganisation Bill on 15th December 1969 and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s inauguration of Meghalaya Autonomous State on 2nd April 1970 at Garrison Ground Shillong and inauguration of full-fledged State on 21st January 1972 by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at Polo Grounds, Shillong.
Meanwhile, Retired Joint Director of Health Service and Student Volunteer during the Hill State Movement Dr. Cintholina B Sangma shared her experiences as a volunteer for the Movement during that time and how people of the region have generously supported the cause with limited resources.
During the function, the Chief Guest also led the gathering to take pledge to eliminate gender biased discrimination and sex selection that threatens the birth and the survival of Girls and enable to Girl Child Education and ensure that girls are born, loved and nurtured to become equal empowered citizens of the country spread the message of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao among the citizens of our country.
In order to mark the occasion, befitting patriotic song and dance were also presented during the function by Rhythm School of Music and Tura Dance Academy while General Secretary, ABDK, Garo Baptist Church, Tura Rev. Dilseng M Sangma led the gathering with peace prayer.
