Meet discusses Census operation
SHILLONG: A state-level census coordination committee on Thursday discussed issues pertaining to the upcoming Census of India, 2021 various stakeholders.
The meeting was convened by the Director of Census Operations, Meghalaya, Joram Beda under the chairmanship of PS Thangkhiew, chief secretary at the conference room of the state secretariat here. Bharati Chanda, deputy registrar general, and commissioners and secretaries of various departments along with officers of the Directorate of Census Operations attended the meeting. The meeting received valuable inputs and suggestions, an official communiqué said. The Census of India will commence with house-listing and housing operations (HLO) and the updation of National Population Register in 2020. This will be followed by population enumeration in 2021. The Census of India is one of the largest administrative exercises in the world and is a source of accurate statistics for policy-making for both the central and state government as well as public stakeholders.
Meghalaya Icon on Dec 14
SHILLONG: The eighth edition of Meghalaya Icon will be held on December 14 with preliminaries to be held on December 12 and 13. The winner will represent the state at the Second NE Multi Media in Imphal on December 18. Addressing the press on Friday, a representative of Meghalaya AIDS Control Society (MACS) Alexander Kharkongor said the youth will be sensitised on HIV/AIDS at the venue which will also be platform for them to express themselves through music. Road shows will be held in different places of the state to create awareness on AIDS such as in Tura, Williamnagar, Lad Rymbai, etc. The winner will get Rs 1 lakh, the first and second runner-up will get Rs 50,000 and Rs 20,000 respectively. The best HIV theme songs will be given an award also. There will be participation from all districts and looking for 30 or above. Kharkongor informed that forms will be available from MACS and Red FM.
Cattle seized
SHILLONG: The BSF posted at Hawaitilla BOP had recently seized 131 cattle during patrolling on different dates along the international border falling under Muktapur police station. According to a release on Friday, the seized cattle were intended for smuggling purposes. The police have requested the owners or anyone having knowledge of any cattle theft to approach Muktapur police station (7005394478 / 6909506865) at the earliest. Meanwhile, in a similar incident, the Superintendent of Police, West Jaintia Hills, informed that on November 25 at around 2 am, the BSF personnel of Nongkhen BOP seized seven cattle which were also intended for smuggling purposes. The SP has requested the owners or anyone who having knowledge of any cattle theft to approach Dawki PS at the earliest.
Donation event
SHILLONG: The makeSomeoneSMILE team recently held an event for collecting and handing over of donated items to SPARK. The campaign, which started on November 19, asked everyone to step forward and donate used items, clothing, etc. According to the founder of makeSomeoneSMILE, Anky, the campaign received massive response with the team collecting over 250 kgs of clothing, 50 kgs of rice and grocery items, chocolate candies, soaps, and stationery items. The items were handed over to more than 60 students each in Mawlong and Bara Bazaar.
NEHU holds debate competition
SHILLONG: The Department of Law, NEHU, held a state-level debate competition as part of Nani Palkhivala Birth Centenary Celebrations. The competition was held on the topic ‘India Still Needs Continuation of Reservation Policy’. The event witnessed participants from Synod College, St. Anthony College, English and Foreign Language University and Department of Law, NEHU. To evaluate and judge the teams, Judges were invited mostly from Bar, District Legal Services Authority, including one professor from Department of Linguistics, NEHU. Pro Vice Chancellor H Lamin highlighted on the significance of reservation issues while the Faculty Convenor Ranjit Sil delivered a keynote address on life and contribution of Nani Palkhivala. There were others who spoke during the event encouraging the participants.
Felicitation ceremony held
SHILLONG: The North East Network (NEN) had, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), partnered with Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) in working towards enhancing the skills of ‘Outreach Workers’ on basic counselling. A felicitation ceremony for the workers and NEN team, who completed the counseling course, was also organised on Friday at Dhankheti. During the programme, 9 workers were felicitated and given certificates. A representative of NEN stated that the project has been carried out in coordination with government agencies as well as the local women bodies of various localities, adding that time-to-time awareness programmes are also conducted in various educational institutions.
Buyer-seller meet
Shillong: A one-day buyer and seller meet of traditional medicinal plant growers and practitioners was held at the KJP Assembly Conference Centre here on Friday. The meet, inaugurated by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force CP Marak, was organised by the Divisional Forest Officer, Social Forestry Division, EKH, under the aegis of the Meghalaya State Medicinal Plants Board, Forest and Environment Department in association with the National Medicinal Plants Board, New Delhi.