District level science congress held
The 24th District Level National Science Congress organized by the District Planning Officer, West Jaintia Hills was held on Friday at Science Hall, Circuit House, New Hill, Jowai under the theme, “Science, Technology & Innovation for Sustainable Development”. Different schools from the region also participated in the meet. North Liberty Higher Secondary School, Jowai, Lummuroo Secondary School Shangpung and Jaintia Hills Secondary School who emerged winners were awarded trophies and certificates and will be representing the District at the National Children’s Science Congress at State Level to be held in Shillong on November2 and 3.
Buddhist religious event on Sunday
The ‘Katin Cibor Dana Ustsava’, the major religious event of the Buddhists, will be held on October 30 at the Buddhist Temple, Polo. Many buddhist monks from all over India will attend the important event in accordance with the Buddhist culture and tradition. Apart from solemn prayers and religious ceremonies that will mark the occasion,rich floral tributes will be offered to Mather Teresa and a befitting homage will be paid to the soldiers who laid down their lives for India at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir. Emeli Barua, Secretary of Shillong Buddhist Association, on behalf of the Association, has invited all members of SBA, followers of Bhuddhism and all buddhist friends and well wishers to grace the occasion.
Concern over illegal charcoal burning
The Niaw Wasa Youth Federation(NWYF) and Chdooh Ri Jaintia Wamaya(CRJM) have petitioned the Division Forest Officer (DFO) Jaintia hills over mushrooming of sawmills and illegal burning of charcoal which will put the environment in danger. The organizations in press statement stated that there are over hundreds of sawmills and trenches for burning charcoal which will benefit only a few individuals. They pointed out that the presence of these industries is illegal and it affects the environment as there is large scale felling of trees. The organizations have urged the state government to look into the matter.
Conviction
A local court here has convicted two persons for creating nuisance in separate incidents. The two persons have been identified as Jonathan Lalnuntluanga Pachuau and F Lalngaihzuala. A fine of Rs 10,000 has been imposed on each of them.
Nongstoin Youth Festival
NONGSTOIN: The awareness building and mobilization NGO, Aide-et-Action, under the project ‘supporting human capital development in Meghalaya’ (SHCDM) on Friday organized a Youth Festival at Nongstoin. E.P.Syiem, Syiem of Nongstoin attended the programme as the chief guest and S.Kharlyngdoh IAS, Deputy Commissioner of West Khasi Hills as the guest of honour. The Youth festival aims at sensitizing young people on various skill training and career possibilities for enhancing the human capital development in the State. This mobilization drive is also aimed at bringing together young people between the age of 18 to 35 to be enlightened, counseled and enrolled in the programme, which attracted the youths of the District on Friday. Under the skills challenge funds, about 60,000 youths will be trained out of which 45,000 will be for placement linked and 15,000 for self employment. 11 trades were also identified for Phase 1 which include security guard, hospitality – steward, IT/ITES, retails tourism, health care, beauty and wellness, radiology assistant, customer relationship management, dialysis assistant and cooks.
Power minister meets delegation
A delegation of Central Puja Committee on Friday met Power Minister, Sniawbhalang Dhar urging him to withdraw the ongoing load shedding in Shillong and other parts of the State during the ensuing Kali Puja and Diwali from October 29 to October31. The Power Minister assured the delegation that ensuing festival would not be affected even as he added that the MeECL would either withdraw the load shedding or shift the timing of the load shedding in the morning hour between 7-9 AM during the festival. With regards to the withdrawal of load shedding on November 6 and 7, he said that the matter would be taken into consideration later.
Legal services campaign
With an aim to bring access to justice to the door step of the people, particularly the poor, the needy and the marginalised section of society, the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in collaboration with the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) and in coordination with the District Legal Services Authority, the Police Department and other Government Departments, is organising a two-day ‘mass door-to door campaign” throughout the state on November 2 and 3. The aim of the campaign is to inform the public about legal services institutions, the availability of legal services that can be availed and how legal services can facilitate the people to get their entitlements under various laws and schemes of the Government.
VDP awareness drive
The East Khasi Hills police in collaboration with the village defence party (VDP) conducted an awareness programme at Pomblang under Mawsynram PS on Wednesday. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police M. Kharkrang spoke on crime against women and children and steps to be taken by the victims and relatives so that evidence is not destroyed. He insisted that such crime should be reported to police at the earliest. The SP also dwelt on ATM frauds and drug abuse.
ICAR awareness programme
The ICAR Research Complex, NEH Region on Thursday organised a programme on Swacchta Pakhwada at M.S Swaminathan Hall, ICAR, Umiam. Chief adviser to the Government of Meghalaya DD Lapang was the chief guest. The programme aimed at motivating and educating the village community to maintain cleanliness and to develop advance environmental sanitation systems with focus on solid and liquid waste management in rural areas.
Tura poet in SA Sufi fest
Renowned poet from Tura Biswajit Nandi was among those who represented India in the three-day South Asian Sufi Festival held in Jaipur recently. The 3rd edition of the festival was organized by the Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature and attended by poets, writers and diplomats from South Asian countries. The festival witnessed participation of more than 50 Sufi scholars, 100 poets and writers, musicians, singers as well as performers from as many as 7 SAARC countries including India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Bhutan. During the festival, Nandi recited as many as 6 of his original poems in English. As many as 40 delegates, poets and writers from other parts of the country participated in the festival.