SHILLONG, Dec 24 - Meghalaya Governor V Shanmuganathan and Chief Minister Mukul Sangma have extended their greetings to the people on the eve of Christmas.
In his Christmas greetings, Shanmuganathan said on Christmas �we celebrate the birth of Lord Jesus Christ, who gave the valuable and eternal message of peace, tolerance, compassion, love and brotherhood.�
The Chief Minister in his message said Christmas is the time we remember the ceaseless love of Lord Jesus Christ. �As we once again celebrate his birthday may the spirit of love and compassion fill our hearts with everlasting joy and peace,� Sangma said.
Meanwhile, the State Capital has been tastefully decorated with lights and festoons. The main shopping hub, Police Bazaar, has been decked up with lights to celebrate Christmas. In several places persons dressed as Santa Clause have been adding to the joy and colour of the occasion.
Tura Correspondent adds: The spirit of Christmas is off to a start in Tura with families making last minute purchases for the festival season. While the season always brings about the biggest shopping frenzy for the residents, the lack of money has led to dampened spirits for employees, both of the State as well as GHADC. Only partial payments have been made to the employees by the Council, while the State Government paid one month�s salary, leaving one month�s salary pending.
�It was only in the last three days that sales picked up. We will be suffering huge losses inspite of the last minute sales�, said a shop owner at Council Market in Tura�s main bazaar. �This is the drabbest Christmas that Tura has witnessed and it is mainly due to the cash crunch faced by all�, said an old timer.
The payment of salaries for Council employees came after the GHADC auctioned off most of its weekly markets to pay the arrears after the State Government failed to bail it out.
