Meghalaya joined the rest of the country in celebrating India’s 80th Independence Day today, with the state-level celebrations in Shillong marked by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma hoisting the National Flag. The ceremonial parade and cultural programmes at Polo Ground, Shillong, showcased the state’s diverse heritage.

 

The Chief Minister greeted the citizens on Independence Day for the ninth consecutive time and he highlighted the transformation across sectors since the past eight years. He stated that the state government, with the support of the central government, has been able to contribute to significant progress in education, sports, healthcare, agriculture, tourism and youth employment. Sangma extended gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the support and acknowledgement of Meghalaya’s economic growth. He also lauded the Meghalaya police for receiving the President’s Police Colour, which is one of the highest honours bestowed upon a police force in India.

 

The Chief Minister, during his address, informed about a new programme called Tracing the Roots. “An ambitious programme that would enable close to 75 scholars to travel throughout the northeast region and to countries like Vietnam, Cambodia, Tibet in order to study the origin and journeys of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo people.