Marathon, bicycle marked Voters’ Day celebration

SHILLONG, JAN 25: As part of the National Voters Day celebration a “Run for Democracy” marathon was also organized in the city on Saturday.

Over 1000 enthusiast runners, both young and old, from different parts of Khasi hills region participated in the race, which was flagged-off by the Meghalaya Chief Elector Officer (CEO) P Naik from the U Soso Tham premises early Saturday morning.

Noted social activist from the state Michael Syiem also participated in the run and bagged the fourth position in the above 50 years category, while the first, second and third were won by P Kharjahrim, H Marbaniang and E Shyndiar.

In the above 50 years category for women, M Marwein bagged the first prize followed by P Rani, C Synrem, and T Nongspung in the second, third and fourth place respectively.

In the above 15 years for boys’ category, Michael Sing Ramsiej won the first prize followed by S Jyrwa, J Ramsiej and Hancef Me in second, third and fourth. In the girls’ category of the same age group, Kyntimon Marwein, D Marwein, B Marwein and D Iangjuh bagged the first, second, third and fourth from the girls category.

For under 15 category girls, L Ramsiej, E Ramsiej, K Syiemlieh and W Ramsiej bagged the first, second, third and fourth prizes and in  the boys category the winners were E Sungoh, K Mawlong, S Jyrwa and W Majaw in the first, second, third and fourth place besides 20 lucky runners from the  draw of lots.

The prizes were also distributed to all the winners.

                                                                 South West Garo Hills

Braving the foggy weather, over hundred cycling enthusiasts from South West Garo hills district and beyond participated in the Bicycle Race which was organized as part of the 4^th National Voter’s Day celebration at Ampati on Saturday morning.

The bicycle race was flagged off at Ampati mini-stadium by the Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officer Ram Singh, who also participated in the bicycle marathon along with the SP R Muthu and addl. SP Ramesh Sharma.

The cyclists covered Latrigre, Thakuranbari, Borkona, Chandan Nokat, Betasing and rode back to Ampati mini-stadium covering a circuit of over 35 km. Cash prizes for the winners in boys’ and girls’ categories were distributed later at a function at Ampati Multi-Facility Centre.

In his address, Singh said that January 25 has been set aside as a day for National celebration by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to remind the electorates not only of their rights and responsibilities, but also to remind them of the moral obligation to practice ethical voting.

With this in view, the election department keeps organizing several competitions particularly for the youth to remind them to enroll themselves as voters as soon as they attain the age of 18 years, Singh added. He also led the gathering in taking the Voter’s Pledge on the occasion.

Earlier, a procession was also taken out by the election department staff, district officials, teachers and students carrying banners and placards from Ampati Mini Stadium to DC’ s Complex  to create voters’ awareness. An essay competition on the topics “My Vote, My Right” and “Why should I Vote?” was also organized for the students as a run up to the celebration, for which cash prizes were distributed to the winners during the celebration.

Among others who spoke on the importance of the Voters Day included. Muthu, Additional DC (Election), PK Boro and district school education officer SN Sangma.- By Our Reporter