BALIDAN DIWAS IN MEGHALAYA

Bindo M. Lanong, Honourable Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya , Manas Chowdhary, local MLA addressing the audience and the Blood Donation camp

Kalimpong (BGP Media Cell) : The Bharatiya Gorkah Parisangh, Meghalaya State organised the Balidan Diwas (Martyr’s Day) on 25^th August 2009. In the morning the president of Meghalaya unit of BGP unfurled the flag a Gorkha Pathsala Ground.

A blood donation camp was organized at 10am in the Thakurbari cultural hall in collaboration with Regional Pasteur Institute and Meghalaya Blood Bank. Fourteen people donated their blood including Sri CM Adhikari, a 65 year old advocate and Vice President BGP, Meghalaya state. The Blood Donation camp was declared open by Rev. Enos Das Pradhan, General Secretary of the Church of North India (CNI), New Delhi. At the camp Dr. Nongrum spoke about the awareness and benefit of donation blood to help the poor and the needy. He further appraised the gathering that the blood donated does not harm the health of a person as it is regenerated shortly with a couple of weeks. Therefore, people should not hesitate to donate blood. At the outset, Sri JN Koirala, General Secretary of BGP, Meghalaya State gave the welcome address; M/S Rapsang Group of Industries donated 20 bottles of horlicks to the blood donors as a gesture to thank the blood donors.

The final football match of Shaheed Major Durga Mall Memorial Invitation Football Tournament was played at 2.30 pm in the Gorkha Pathsala School Ground. Sri Bindo M. Lanong, Honourable Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya was the chief guest of the football final where Sri Manas Chowdhary, local MLA and Rev. Dr. Enos Das Pradhan were the guests of honour. Sri Manas Chowdhary in his speech suggested to the Government of Meghalaya to name the football field in the name of martyr major Durga Mall which was supported by Sri Bindo M. Lanong, Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya. Sri Lanong in his speech said that naming of this football field in the name of Durga Mall would be the befitting tribute to the martyr. The veteran politician and social worker, Sri D. N. Joshi graced the occasion by his august presence despite his ill health. His presence added fervour in the tournament. Sri Madhu Sudan Singh Rawat in his brief speech narrated the life history of martry Major Durga Mall and the significance of observing the day as Balidan Diwas. He further said that Major Durga Mall was hanged by the Imperialist British Government for fighting against the British Government to free our mother land from the slavery. Martyr Major Durga Mall was caught by the enemy forces while he was deputed to collect strategic information of the enemy force at Ukhrul, Manipur. Major was sent to the gallows on 25^th August 1944. Further Sri Rawat informed the gathering that the Mehglaya State Unit of BGP has been providing funds to the poor and downtrodden students since 2006 to encourage the poor students to acquire education since they could not afford to go to schools due to financial handicap. Till date this organization has financed 98 students consisting of 10 schools. The BGP proposed to render financial help to more students in future and try to provide books and uniforms to the poor students. Sri Rawat thanked all who provided fund for this noble cause.

The game was kicked off at 230pm. The players and referee were introduced to the Deputy Chief Minister. The game was very contesting. Both Jhalupara A (Unified) and Barapathr Sports Club demonstrated a quality game. The Jhalupara team proved better than the opponent as they scored three goals and won the match 3-0.

11 teams of different localities of Shillong and Ri-Bhoi District participated in the tournament. Sri Rahul Sarki of Naspatighari was adjudged the best player of the tournament and the best goalkeeper was awarded to Sri Sanjiv Sankar of Trisul Club. The game was supervised by Sri Bishnu Mawling, Sri Marwein, Sri Khongrim and Sri R. Rani.

This release is based on the input supplied by Shri J. N. Koirala, Gen Secretary, BGP, Meghalaya State.