Tura, August 15, 2026: Meghalaya joined the nation in celebrating the 80th Independence Day on Saturday, with the State-level ceremonial function held at the Matchakolgre Lower Primary School Field, New Tura. Meghalaya Minister for Education, Lahkmen Rymbui, hoisted the National Flag and took the salute at the ceremonial parade.

The programme brought together contingents from the police, educational institutions and Bharat Scouts and Guides, with 24 contingents participating in the ceremonial parade. The event also featured the March Past, cultural performances and the presentation of appreciation awards.

Addressing the gathering, Rymbui paid tribute to the freedom fighters who led India’s struggle for independence, including Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr B.R. Ambedkar and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. He also remembered Meghalaya’s valiant freedom fighters and heroes, U Tirot Sing, U Kiang Nangbah and Pa Togan N. Sangma, whose sacrifices continue to inspire generations.

The Minister also acknowledged the contribution and sacrifices of the armed forces, police personnel, fire and emergency services in safeguarding the nation and its people.

In his Independence Day address, Rymbui outlined Meghalaya’s development journey and the State Government’s vision of building a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable Meghalaya in line with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He said the State is working towards tripling its economy to ₹1.35 lakh crore by 2032, guided by Mission 10 and State Vision 2032.

He highlighted that Meghalaya’s Gross State Domestic Product has more than doubled since 2018 and that the State has emerged as the third fastest-growing State in India over the last five years. He further said Meghalaya has sustained a real GSDP growth rate of nearly 10 per cent for three consecutive years in the post-COVID period.

Rymbui stressed that development must go hand in hand with the preservation of Meghalaya’s rich cultural and indigenous identity. He highlighted the recent Meghalaya Official Languages Ordinance, which grants official language status to Khasi and Garo alongside English, describing it as an important step towards strengthening the State’s linguistic heritage and its long-standing aspiration for inclusion of the languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.

On peace, security and law and order, the Minister said the process of erecting boundary pillars in the six areas of difference resolved with Assam is progressing steadily, while efforts continue to resume discussions on the remaining six areas. He also highlighted measures to strengthen policing, forensic services, cybersecurity and the justice delivery system.

On governance, Rymbui highlighted the expanding CM Connect initiative, which has recorded more than one lakh citizen interactions through helplines, CM Connect Centres and Village Data Volunteers. He also noted that 220 citizen services have been brought under the Meghalaya Right to Public Services Act, 2020, aimed at making public services more accessible, transparent and time-bound.

Education featured prominently in the Minister’s address. He said Meghalaya had achieved a historic two-grade improvement in the Performance Grading Index 2.0, making it one of the country’s fastest-improving performers.

Under Mission Education, more than ₹355 crore has been invested in 2,404 infrastructure projects, while the number of Higher Secondary Schools has increased from 427 to 545.

The State recorded an impressive 97.2 per cent SSLC and 86.6 per cent HSSLC pass percentage this year, while the transition rate from Class X to Class XI has increased to 82.1 per cent.

Rymbui also highlighted the introduction of the Structured Pay Framework from April 1, 2026, which will provide greater financial security, transparent career progression and social security to more than 23,000 teachers across the State.

He further said that more than one lakh students are benefiting from the Chief Minister’s Scholarship Scheme, with over ₹62 crore sanctioned from the State’s own budget.

The Government’s focus on youth skilling was also highlighted, with more than 63,000 youth having received skilling support across 12 districts and 56 blocks. Entrepreneurship initiatives such as PRIME and CM-ELEVATE have supported nearly 9,000 entrepreneurs and generated thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities.

Highlighting the State’s infrastructure development, Rymbui spoke of major connectivity projects including the Shillong–Silchar High-Speed Corridor, the Dhubri–Phulbari Bridge and the newly sanctioned ₹1,052-crore NH-127B corridor connecting Phulbari to Goeragre.

He also said progress has been made towards the revival of Baljek Airport in Tura, while new heliports are being developed in Shillong and Tura.

The Minister highlighted the Government’s efforts to strengthen agriculture and rural livelihoods through initiatives supporting high-value crops, organic farming, beekeeping, fisheries and improved market access. He noted that CM-FARM+ is supporting more than 25,000 farmers cultivating high-value crops such as black pepper, large cardamom and cinnamon.

He also highlighted the State’s growing focus on entrepreneurship, investment and employment generation, including the development of the Tura Tech Park and support extended through various schemes for entrepreneurs and MSMEs.

Rymbui said Meghalaya’s natural beauty, indigenous heritage and cultural traditions provide a strong foundation for tourism. He highlighted the Meghalaya Homestay initiatives, with the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Homestay Mission targeting 3,000 homestays across the State by 2028.

He also highlighted efforts to document and preserve indigenous history, traditions, languages and knowledge systems through the ‘Tracing the Roots’ initiative.

Sports featured prominently in the address, with the Minister noting that Meghalaya will host the 39th National Games in 2027, bringing together more than 10,000 athletes across nearly 39 disciplines in Shillong, Tura and Jowai. More than ₹70 crore has already been invested in team preparation, with over 1,600 athletes undergoing intensive training.

The ceremonial parade was a major highlight of the Independence Day celebration, with 24 contingents comprising police personnel, students from various schools and members of the Bharat Scouts and Guides taking part.

In the NCC category, Pechon Memorial Secondary School Boys secured the first position, followed by Government College Tura Boys in second position and Don Bosco College Tura Girls in third position.

In the Scouts and Guides category, St. Xavier’s Higher Secondary School, Tura secured the first position, Christian Girls Higher Secondary School stood second, while St. Mary’s Higher Secondary School secured the third position.

As part of the Independence Day programme, Appreciation Awards were also presented to nine toppers of the HSSLC and SSLC 2026 batches, recognising their academic achievements.

Appreciation Awards were further presented to 21 employees from various departments and individuals who have made significant contributions in their respective fields, recognising their dedication and service to society.

Concluding his address, Rymbui called upon the people of Meghalaya to make development a people’s movement that empowers youth and women, enables farmers and entrepreneurs to prosper, protects the environment and creates opportunities for all.

He urged citizens to remain rooted in Meghalaya’s identity while embracing the responsibility of building a prosperous, inclusive, innovative and sustainable State.

Highlights of the day’s celebration included inter-department tug-of-war, pineapple eating competition and children’s sports among others. A blood donation camp was also conducted at the venue.