TURA:
Along with the rest of the country Tura too celebrated the 77th Independence Day of the nation with much pomp and grandeur at New Tura playground.
The celebration was marked by a daylong colourful cultural programme and a grand march past performed by 21 contingents from the 2 MLP battalion, Tura DEF, NCC from Tura Government college, Don Bosco college, Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Pechon Memorial School and Scouts & Guides from St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School, Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, St. Xaviers Higher Secondary School, Christian Girls Higher Secondary School, Garo Union Higher Secondary School and Government Girls Higher Secondary School.
Unfurling the Tri Colour during the celebration, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma took the Rashtriya salute.
In his address the Speaker expressed gratitude to the great freedom fighters of the nation who were responsible for unshackling the country from the chains of colonialism. Speaking on the nations achievements post-independence he apprised the gathering of the role of the country in the G8 summit and stated that it was an honour for the nation to be able to participate in such a stage. Delving nearer home Mr. Sangma stated that the government had created employment opportunities for 1100 youth who are now employed in various sectors in state. Speaking on creating further employment opportunities the speaker said that the completion of the Shillong Technology Park would present job avenues for 1500 aspirants. Speaking on the border issue between Assam and Meghalaya he stated that both the states had signed an MOU to help mitigate the matter. Among others Mr Sangma also stated that a U Tirot Singh memorial was being sep up at Dhaka to commemorate the state’s own freedom fighters.
During the celebration Meghalaya Legislative Assembly Speaker Thomas A Sangma gave out appreciation awards to the best performing health centres, NGOs and government employees.
Later the Speaker accompanied by the DIG, Western Range and Superintendent ff Police gave out awards to the best marching contingents, best turn out, best command and best cultural troupes.
The 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes in the march past NCC category was bagged by Tura Government College boys, Don Bosco College boys and Pechon Memorial School boys respectively. In the Scouts & Guides category the 1st, 2ndand 3rd prizes were awarded to St. Mary’s higher secondary school, Christian Girls higher secondary school and St. Xaviers secondary school respectively. The Best Command and best Turn-out was awarded to Don Bosco College NCC boys and Tura Government College NCC boys respectively. In the cultural show the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes were awarded to Dokaku Arts & Cultural Association, Don Bosco Secondary school and College of Community Sciences, Tura respectively.
Throughout the day games for children and inter locality tug of war was organized /by the sports department as part of the celebration.
At Jengjal Civil Sub Division, Ian Botham K Sangma, MLA, unfurled the Tri Colour and took the Rashtriya salute amidst a parade display by eight marching contingents comprised of the 2 MLP battalion and Scouts & Guides.
At Dadengre Civil Sub Diviison Sanjay A Sangma, MLA, unfurled the Tri Color and took the Rashtriya salute while 13 parade contingents performed the march past.
At Raksamgre Civil Sub Division Limison D Sangma, MLA, unfurled the Tri Color and took the Rashtriya salute.