Shillong, August 15: Meghalaya celebrated the 78th Independence Day across the state along with the rest of the country.
In the state capital Shillong, Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K Sangma hoisted the National Flag and took the Rashtriya Salute of the Marching Contingents comprising of the Border Security Force, CRPF, District Executive Force, East Khasi Hills, 1st MLP Bn. Mizoram Police, NCC Boys & Girls, Meghalaya Bharat Scouts and Guides, Indian Red Cross Society, Holy Cross Hr. Secondary School, St. Joseph Hr. Secondary School, Gorkha Patshala Hr. Secondary School, Hubert Memorial Hr. Secondary School, Phudmuri Presbyterian Hr. Secondary School, Auxilium Higher Secondary School, St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, St. Anthony’s Higher Secondary School, Assam Rifles Public School Horse Riding Contingent, Border Wing Home Guard Brass Band, BSF Brass Band, Auxilium Hr. Secondary School Brass Band and St. Anthony’s Higher Secondary School Brass Band.
The names for the Police Medal for Meritorious Service to Dr Sacheng R Marak, Assistant Inspector General of Police (A) and Shri Anil Kumar Singh, Havildar, and Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service to Shri Raju Ram Rabha, Handyman Fire and Emergency Service and Shri Bhupesh Ch Hajong, Sub Officer were announced during the day.
Further on the occasion, Home Guards & Civil Defence Medals for Meritorious Service were awarded to two Home Guards personnel. They are Shri Ram Charles Lamare, Havildar from Central Training Institute, Civil Defence & Home Guards Shri Prafulla Basumatary, and the Border Wing Home Guards Battalion. Shri M K Sangma, Joint Director of Civil Defence, Shri R P Khongwar, Joint Commandant General of Home Guards, and 13 other personnel were awarded the Director General, Civil Defence & Home Guards, Meghalaya Disc & Commendation Certificates.
48 Scholars under the Chief Minister’s Research Grant (CMRG) who are undertaking quality research and documentation in various areas of interest that concern the state of Meghalaya with particular focus areas in the field of Arts & Culture, heritage studies, and aspects that seek to study, document and further eliminate on all matters relating to land, language, lineage of the indigenous communities and evaluation studies were also felicitated and awarded.
Prizes were also distributed to the winners of March Past where Holy Cross Secondary School, St. Mary’s Hr. Secondary School and Auxilium Higher Secondary School won the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes respectively.
Felicitation of Shillong Municipal Board workers and cultural programs are the other highlights of the day.