Ampati, Aug 15: The 75^th Independence Day was celebrated in the District Headquarter and the three blocks of South West Garo Hills District in full patriotic fervour albeit following all guidelines issued by Government in view of COVID-19 on Sunday.

In a ceremonial function held at Ampati Mini Stadium, Minister for Power, etc, James P.K. Sangma unfurled the National Flag and took the Rashtriya Salute as  parade contingent of 2^nd MLP Ampati offered the Salaami.

During the celebration the Medical team put up a brilliant role play on COVID-19, while a patriotic song was presented by Ampati A’chik Cultural Society. The Minister also felicitated five villages of the district that achieved 100% vaccination coverage of both first and second doses. It may be noted that nearly 30 villages in the district have achieved 100% vaccination under 18-44 years and 45+ categories and were also felicitated in the block-level celebrations. Altogether 74 ASHAs of the district were also felicitated for their untiring efforts and selfless services to contain the spread of the pandemic at the grassroots level.

On the occasion Belbari PHC and Zikzak PHC were also awarded as the top performing health facilities in South West Garo Hills under MHIS-PMJAY and three meritorious students of the district were also felicitated by the Minister. As part of the celebration the Minister also released the Freedom Folk Fusion Song “Freedom like a dawn that breaks into the Indian sky” commissioned by the Arts & Culture department, Govt of Meghalaya in commemoration of 75 years of India’s Independence.

In remembrance of the martyrs during the celebration, Shaheed CT/D (CRPF) Sugandha Koch of Gandhipara village, South West Garo Hills, who laid down his life in the service of the nation during an operation against the Maoist-Naxalites on 4^th May, 2005, was given a special honour in the presence of his wife Purnima Koch.