Meghalaya’s SPARK NGO celebrated R-Day with underprivileged children
Staff Reporter
Shillong, Jan 27: SPARK on Friday celebrated Republic Day with underprivileged children. More than 250 children who attended the programme from all the centres of SPARK namely Bara Bazaar slum, Mawlong Village, Mawlynrei Triashnong Village and Pongkung Village.
The highlights of the programme were the felicitation of Mother India followed by the singing of the National Anthem and a special cultural programme by the children expressing their love and respect for Mother India and pledging towards wellbeing, growth and development of the country and the Nation as a whole as well as to build unity and strength to fight against social evils and work together for the betterment of the Nation as well as bring rays of hope in the lives of the underprivileged children.
These children were reminded of the Constitution of India being enforced on this day highlighting the importance of the Constitution for each citizen and the Country as a whole.
The strong and active participation in this year’s Republic Day is believed to send a strong and clear message for the sincere effort required towards the protection and development of the children who are believed to be the ‘Future Citizens of the Nation’
The children participants consisted of rag pickers, domestic helpers, working children, street children, slum children, school drop-outs, cowboys, and other underprivileged children from East Khasi Hills District and Ri-Bhoi District.
Meghalaya BJP clarifies on invitations to Ram Temple
Staff Reporter
Shillong, Jan 21: The state BJP has stated today that the invitation to visit Ram Temple was as per convenience and not for inauguration.
In a statement, the BJP said a recent news article seems to suggest that some political and religious leaders of Meghalaya have “skipped” the Shree Ram Temple invitation which was extended by the state BJP (not the PM as wrongly reported).
“State BJP makes it clear that the invitation was for visiting the newly constructed Shree Ram Temple, as per the invitees’ convenience, and not for the inauguration per se as no date was mentioned. It is important to note that the invites were readily accepted whole heartedly. Moreover the inauguration event has been advance blessed by every prominent citizen of the state,” it said.
The statement said all BJP Chief Ministers, Union Ministers, State Ministers and all leaders of the party and karyakartas have been directed to witness the historic and Revered event LIVE from places of worship in their respective areas on the 22nd of January 2024.
Everyone will visit the Shree Ram Temple at a later date of their own choice, the same holds true for Meghalaya as well.
“BJP Meghalaya is of the opinion that such reporting, as has been carried out by one newspaper, is an attempt to vitiate the atmosphere during a momentous occasion and an effort to distort facts. The newly constructed Shree Ram Temple at Ayodhya has an ancient significance and holds a special place in the consciousness of a vast majority of Indians. Such an article is an attempt to paint a picture that Meghalaya doesn’t subscribe to the sentiments of a certain community and is separate from rest of the country. This is particularly sad considering people of various faiths and myriad cultures have always resided in the state in harmony, enjoying each other’s company. BJP Meghalaya fervently appeals that such biased reporting be stopped immediately,” it said.