Meghalaya Day

Held on : 21st January

Meghalaya is a small state tucked away in the hills of eastern sub-Himalayas in north-eastern India. It extends for about 300 kilometres in length and about 100 kilometres in breadth. It is bounded on the north by Goalpara, Kamrup and Nowgong districts, on the east by Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills districts, all of Assam, and on the south and west by Bangladesh. Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya is located at an altitude of 1496 metres above sea level. About one third of the state is forested. The forests of Meghalaya are known for their biodiversity  of mammals, birds, and plants. Tribal people make up the majority of Meghalaya's population. The Khasis are the largest group, followed by the Garos. Other groups include the Jaintias, the Koch and the Hajong, Dimasa, Hmar, Kuki, Lakhar, Mikir, Rabha and the Nepali. The principal languages in Meghalaya are Khasi and Garo with English as the official language of the State. The town of Cherrapunji in the Khasi Hills south of capital Shillong holds the world record for most rain in a calendar month, while the village of Mawsynram, near the town of Cherrapunji, holds the distinction of seeing the heaviest yearly rains. The places to visit in Cherrapunjee are Nohsngithiang Falls (Mawsmai Falls), Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsmai Cave, Thankarang Park, Eco Park, Khoh Ramhah, Green Rock Ranch, Sa-I-Mika Park and Kynrem Falls. Meghalaya Day celebrates it's statehood, the day when it was given the status of being an autonomous state after being carved out of Assam.

History
Before becoming an autonomus state Meghalaya was ruled by Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia tribes, each having their own kingdoms.  In the 19th century, the British administration took over. Later, the British incorporated Meghalaya into Assam in 1835. The region enjoyed semi-independent status by virtue of a treaty relationship with the British Crown.

When Bengal was partitioned on 16 October 1905 by Lord Curzon, Meghalaya became a part of the new province of 'Eastern Bengal and Assam'. However, when the partition was reversed in 1912, Meghalaya became a part of the province of Assam. On 3 January 1921 in pursuance of Section 52A of the Government of India Act of 1919, the Governor-General-in-Council declared the areas now in Meghalaya, other than the Khasi States, as "backward tracts". Subsequently however, the Government of India Act of 1935 regrouped the backward tracts into two categories, namely, "excluded" and "partially excluded" areas in place of backward tracts.

At the time of Independence of the country in 1947, the present day Meghalaya constituted two districts of Assam and enjoyed limited autonomy within the state of Assam. The Assam Reorganisation (Meghalaya) Act, 1969 accorded an autonomous status to the state of Meghalaya. The Act came into effect on 2 April 1970, and an Autonomous State of Meghalaya was created within the State of Assam. The Autonomous state had a Legislature in accordance with the Sixth schedule to the Constitution. The Legislature had 37 members.

In 1971, the Parliament passed the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganization) Act, 1971, which conferred full statehood on the Autonomous State of Meghalaya. Meghalaya attained statehood on 21 January 1972, with a Legislative Assembly of its own. Thus Meghalaya was formed by carving out the two districts of the state of Assam: the United Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills, and the Garo Hills.

Events - On this day the government organises various programmes like cultural activities of the state like music, dance and exhibitions etc. These events showcase the beauty and splendour of Meghalaya. These functions are inaugurated and attended by distinguished personalities who have contributed towards the progression of the state. Mostly these functions are attended by government officials including the chief minister of the state. It is also an opportunity for the people to show their skills in traditional arts and crafts.

Holiday Status - It is not a Holiday.