Meghalaya today celebrated its 44th statehood day with chief minister Mukul Sangma flagging of the Shillong leg of the 12th South Asian Games here at sun rise and hundreds of people participated at the run with the SAG torch.
Sangma and Sports Minister Zenith Sangma formally received the relay torch from SAG-Shillong CEO and other officials before handing it over to ace sportspersons including pugilist Mary Kom.
Addressing a gathering before the flagging off the run at Iewrynghep, Sangma said the SAG event in Shillong will boost the enthusiasm of the people of the state especially those who are in the field of sports.
Along with the Chief Minister, five times world boxing champion Mary Kom led sportspersons in carrying the torch all the way to Polo grounds where Chief Secretary P B O Warjri received the torch.
Besides this, there are other programmes to mark the statehood day.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to he Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura - all celebrating statehood day today - saying, "I wish these states the very best in their development journey."
Meghalaya Governor V Shanmuganathan extended greetings to the people and prayed for lasting peace and prosperity for its people.
He said the state is small but has immense potential due to the green cover, water and mineral resources and its talented people.
"We should all resolve to put in our best efforts to see that Meghalaya emerges as a premiere state of the country."
In another programme, IT Minister A L Hek gave laptops to meritorious students who passed the board exams last year.
A flower show, a mini carnival for children and a local food festival were also organised.
