Local artisans display works at Art Fest
53 local artists are participating in the week-long Meghalaya Art Festival which is underway at State Central Library since Monday. The exhibition and workshop which is being held simultaneously will end on Saturday. The Art Festival which is organised under the aegis of the Department of Arts and Culture, has nearly 200 paintings apart from half a dozen sculptures and ceramic works made by 80 local artists on display. The festival was inaugurated by Ronnie V Lyngdoh, Minister of Arts and Culture, in the presence of Director, Matsiewdor War Nongbri, resource persons, and a host of artists and art enthusiasts.
Youth festival to be held in Nongstoin
The State Government project, ‘Supporting Human Capital Development in Meghalaya’ with the support of the Deputy Commissioner’s office, West Khasi Hills District in collaboration with Aide et Action and Nongstoin College, will hold the day-long Nongstoin Youth Festival, 2016 themed, ‘Choose Future, Choose Skill’ on October 28, at Madan Iew, New Nongstoin. To kick start the youth festival, a ‘Marathon: Skill Run’ will be flagged off at 6:00am from DC’s Office to Madan Iew. Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners under four categories (Junior Girls, Junior Boys, Senior Girls, Senior Boys.) Interested participants are requested to contact the District Sports Officer, Nongstoin for further information. This will be followed by the main event at Madan Iew from 2:00pm onwards featuring a fashion show by designers from iLEAD, skit, songs and dances. The event will also feature a folk singer-songwriter, Lovely Khriam.
Death anniv of Wikliffe Syiem observed
The KSU West Khasi Hills District Unit along with the office of the Hima Nongstoin on Friday observed the 28th death anniversary of Late Wikliffe Syiem, the Syiem Khynnah (Deputy King) of Hima Nongstoin at Sohpian, West Khasi Hills. Daniel Khyriem, president of the KSU central body, E.P Syiem, Syiem of Hima Nongstoin, Lambokstar Marngar, finance secretary KSU, John Fischer Nongsiang, president of the KSU West Khasi Hills, local headman and sordar of different villages in Nongstoin among others attended the commemoration. Daniel Khyriem during his speech said that “Wycliffe was a perfect example for the Khasis. He never surrendered and gave up his demand for autonomy status. He later fled to Bangladesh as he did not want to be a king sans power. On October 21, 1988, Wycliffe breathed his last at Rajai in Bangladesh,” added that the late Syiem was the first engineer of the Khasi community. He declared Nongstoin as an independent sovereign state on January 13, 1948. He was responsible for giving Hima Nongstoin independence from the British, Indian and Bangladesh governments. Members of the KSU along with E.P Syiem laid floral wreaths at the memorial structures constructed at Nongstoin and Sohpian in memory of Wikliffe.
Rape
Police have arrested one person in North Garo Hills for allegedly raping a mentally unstable girl. A complaint was lodged stating that on October 19 around 8.30am, one Abdul Hakim Sheikh, 35, raped one mentally unstable 14-year-old girl near Didram river at Chengalma village in Bajengdoba. In another case, a complaint was lodged stating that in the month of July, one Rasthy A Sangma raped a 16-year-old girl at Tibapara Chulgre village in Dalu and the girl got pregnant following the incident. In yet another incident, one Mestondar K Hari raped one woman at Mawkyrwat (SWKH).
Parents accept apology of Principal
The parents of the child who faced corporal punishment at Shillong Public School has accepted the apology of the Principal of the school. Referring to the apology of the Principal conveyed through a news channel, the mother of the student in a statement issued to the media on Friday said that she appreciated such a move. The mother also hoped that the school will install CCTVs.
Public hearing of cement co. opposed
The Meghalaya People’s United Front, central body has opposed the public hearing of the Dalmia cement company scheduled for October 25. In a letter addressed to the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board, the MPUF said that allowing the company to set up cement plant in EJH will lead to environment degradation.
‘Tyrso-Umtngam village to become an eco-tourism spot’
Tyrso-Umtngam village will be in the world tourist map in a short period, stated Block Development Officer of Umling Community and Rural Development Block, R. Kharbihkhiew. Owing to the mass arrival of the Amur Falcon from Siberia, Mongolia and the upper regions of China, he said the area will be visited by thousands of people to witness the annual migration of the falcons. Kharbihkhiew was addressing students and villagers of the Tyrso-Umtngam area during the Amur Falcon Awareness Programme organised by Tyrso Valley Wildlife Protection Society on October 20. Giving an insight into the migratory birds, Kharbihkhiew informed that the Amur Falcons migrate to Tyrso-Umtngam valley and stay in the area for sometime before they proceed to South Africa via the Deccan Plateau. He appealed to students and the people of the area not to disturb or kill the birds so that they continue to come to Ri Bhoi. This he said, will attract domestic and foreign tourists to Tyrso-Umtngam to watch these migratory birds. He added that this will ultimately transform the economy of the area.
