State Snippets

Solar street light brightens Umklyngka
The Umklyngka Pdengshnong area was lit up by solar street lights thanks to the initiative of Ujjivan Financial services Mawlai branch, Garikhana. In the past there was demand to light up the area which was in darkness thereby affecting the residents as anti-social elements took advantage of the situation.  In a statement issued here on Monday, the Ujjivan Mawlai branch said that solar lights were donated to the area on October 1. “The solar street lights were placed at two most crucial areas where the passers-by faced difficulty due to darkness,” the statement said. The people of Umlyngka Pdengshnong have appreciated the contribution made by Ujjivan Mawlai branch.
Laitmynsaw declared Open Defecation Free village
Urban Affairs Minister R. V. Lyngdoh and the local MLA on Monday declared Laitmynsaw as Open Defecation Free (ODF) village during the celebration of Gram Panchayat Day covering Laitmynsaw, Nongpiur and Myrkhan villages at Laitmynsaw village, Upper Shillong. The programme was organised by the Office of the Block Development Officer, Mylliem C&RD Block under the scheme of Chief Minister Youth for Green Campaign Movement.
JSU objects to ‘courtesy’ line on vehicles
The Jaintia Students Union has demanded that the words ‘donated by/courtesy by/sponsored by’ be removed from vans or other things. The group argued that these words would imply that the MLA or the MDC has sanctioned funds for the vehicles when in fact they are from the MLA scheme. JSU said the representatives should instead write ‘Under MLA Scheme’ if it is from the MLA scheme. JSU has also threatened to file an RTI to find the truth as to whether the materials bought were from the MLA/MDC scheme or by them.
Photo exhibition
Lions Club of Shillong is organizing a photo exhibition on Saint Teresa on October 4 and 5 at Savio Hall opposite Loreto Convent, Dhanketi, Shillong from 10 AM to 5 PM.  Chief Minister Mukul Sangma will be the chief guest.  Noted photo journalist, Sunil K. Dutt form Kolkata will exhibit his photography which will also be available for sale.
Taxi stickers
Police have issued a notification to taxi owners in East Khasi Hills district that the last date of allotment of stickers for local taxis has been extended to October 16. It also said taxis without stickers should have original valid documents in the vehicles so that they could be produced during checking.
Passport verification
Applicants of the Tatkaal passport and those whose passports have been issued by the office of the Regional Passport Officer, should report to the Office with the acknowledgement letter duly signed by the Passport Seva Kendra, Shillong, for post-police verification, without which the passport may be cancelled. Moreover, all the applicants who have applied for regular passports should report to the regional office for pre-police verification.
MeECL event
The MeECL Engineers’ Association held the 12th general conference and culmination of its year-long Silver Jubilee celebration in the city recently. New office bearers were also elected on the occasion. The chief guest on the occasion, Power Minister S. Dhar emphasized on the need to introduce new technology to improve efficiency.
Suicide
A 15-year-old boy, Ravi Thapa, hanged himself near his residence at Byrnihat in Ri Bhoi around 6.30am last Saturday.
AIR music contest
The All India Radio will organise a music competition titled “N E Body can sing” for ungraded artists of 16 to 30 years in the solo category for western music and modern song on any dialect of the North East. The winner will take home Rs 1 lakh while Rs 50,000/- will be given to the runner’s up.  Competitors can collect the forms from the nearest AIR Station.
Dance competition
The Blossoms Fun Club for Children organised the ‘’Dance Blast’’ season 2 on September 24. In a statement issued here, Blossoms Fun Club member Poonam Rana informed that one of the participants, who is the winner of Sub-Junior Solo category, has been selected for direct entry at Mega audition Channel V ‘Super Dancer’.
Intl Heart day
The NCC cadets of BBS College celebrated Interntional Heart Day on September 29. The programme was organised in collaboration with NCC Cadets of Gorkha Pathshala Higher Secondary School under 2 Bn Shillong. The cadets conducted a cleaning drive.