Shillong, Dec 6: The 59th Raising Day of Civil Defence and Home Guards was celebrated in Meghalaya on Monday at Mawdiangdiang. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Civil Defence and Home Guards Raising Day was celebrated in two venues viz Civil Defence & Home Guards Parade Ground in Mawdiangdiang and the District Home Guards Training Centre in Tura.

The programme at Shillong was graced by Mawryngkneng Constituency MLA Pyniaid Sing Syiem as the Chief Guest, Commandant General of Home Guards and Director of Civil Defence, AR Mawthoh, among other officials.

Speaking on the occasion, Syiem said community volunteers trained by the Civil Defence and Home Guards department in disaster related subjects are crucial for saving lives.

Highlighting the importance of the training imparted by the Civil Defence and Home Guards department to the members of the Community, he said, “The contribution of the community volunteers trained by this department in disaster related subjects and who are the first responders in any disaster is crucial for saving lives and property during disasters.”

Acknowledging the dedicated service and contribution of the Department, Syiem said, “The twin organisations of Civil Defence & Home Guards have over the years rendered yeomen’s service to the society. Apart from their regular service like assisting the state police and district administration in maintenance of law and order, guarding VIP residences/Govt. establishments/public sector undertakings etc, these two organizations have played a significant role in providing assistance in many emergencies and whenever any calamity both natural or man-made has occurred.”

Syiem also lauded the contribution and service of the Civil Defence and Home Guards organisation in the State especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020 and till date.

Commandant General of Home Guards and Director of Civil Defence, Meghalaya, AR Mawthoh, informed the gathering that the personnel of the Civil Defence & Home Guards are engaged in various security related duties as well as in Disaster Management. He said that the Home Guards personnel are providing security in residences of VVIPs besides guarding vital installations. A company of Meghalaya Secretariat Home Guards is deployed to secure the Main, Additional and Third Secretariat premises. “Our personnel are also tasked to assist the Civil Administration in times of emergency or natural calamities or man-made disasters or in the event of war,” he said.

Informing the gathering about the vital training imparted by the Department, Mawthoh said, “The Department is also engaged in capacity building programs by imparting training in Schools, Colleges as well as to the general public in Civil Defence and Disaster Management.”

“The Department will be training 182 Home Guards Volunteers and 1650 Civil Defence Volunteers very shortly throughout the State,” he added.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Guest pinned the medals for Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service to two Civil Defence and Home Guards personnel. He also distributed the Director General Civil Defence Disc & Commendation Certificate, MHA, New Delhi 2020, to 8 recipients.

Mawthoh awarded the Director General Civil Defence Disc & Commendation Certificate, MHA, New Delhi 2014 to 6 recipients and also the Commandant General of Home Guards and Director of Civil Defence Meghalaya Commendation Certificate, 2021 to 8 CD & HG personnel along with the Cash Awards.

32 personnel of the Department who voluntarily donated blood in the year 2021 were also awarded Appreciation Certificates in the function.

Apart from a dazzling parade by four contingents comprising of the Central Training Institute of Civil Defence & Home Guards, Border Wing Home Guards Battalion, Meghalaya Secretariat Home Guards and District Training Centre Home Guards East Khasi Hills, the celebration of the 59th Raising Day also featured a demonstration of an SDRF rescue operations simulating an earthquake, display of Unarmed Combat sparring and a band display by the Brass Band of the Border Wing Home Guards Battalion.