USTM signs MoU with Thai Univ
The University of Science & Technology has signed an MoU with Surindra Rajabhat University, Regional Development Strategies Foundation, Thailand at USTM Conference Hall on Friday. The prospective MoU between the two universities will follow initiatives such as exchange program for Ph.D students, exchange of cultural activities, using international journals, magazines as a platform for academic exchange among other things. A delegation of about 14 people led by Tharadol Thongruang, Minsiter Counsellor, Commerce, Embassy of Thailand, New Delhi and Dr. Achara Phanurat, Former VC, Surindra Rajabhat University were present during the signing of the MoU.
One dies in accident
A teen succumbed to his injuries after the truck in which he was travelling fell into a gorge at Ryndangbriew. Police said that the incident happened on October 28 around 2.10 pm, when one truck (AS-01AC-3987) driven by Nilaweni Das (25) fell into a gorge at Ryndangbriew. As a result, the driver and his handyman, Bijay Roy (19) sustained injuries and were shifted to Civil Hospital Shillong. Roy, however succumbed to his injuries.
Fire incidents
A house and a store room were gutted in a separate incident in East Khasi Hills in the last couple of days. On Thursday afternoon, around 2.30 pm, fire broke out in the house of Rihunlang Kurbah at Kynton, Umlyngka, Upper Shillong. In the incident, property valued around Rs. 5 lakhs was destroyed. In a similar incident, on November 23 around 11 pm, the store room of S.K Gupta at Laban, Shillong caught fire resulting in damage of materials valued around Rs. 30,000.
Lapang inaugurates school
Chief Adviser to the State Government, D.D Lapang, on Friday inaugurated Umtyrnga Border Area Secondary School at Umtyrnga village. This new school will provide education from Class VIII to Class X and will cover children from 26 villages from Meghalaya and Assam border. Parents are facing financial problem in sending their children to school outside the area which has subsequently resulted in the rise of dropout in the area. Speaking on the occasion, DD Lapang congratulated the Umtyrnga Border Area Development Organization for its farsightedness in providing affordable education to the children of Umtyrnga.
Training for tea farmers in RiBhoi
The State Horticulture Department organised a farm cluster training programme for tea farmers on ‘Cold weather practices on tea management’ in 10 clusters of Ribhoi district from November 8-22. The programme also laid emphasis on the production of locally available herbs for concoction of bio pesticides and bio fertilizers within the garden, as developed by the Tea Research Association. The tea farmers also actively participated in the programme and thanked the concerned agencies for the effort. The Horticulture Department organised the event through its Tea Development centre at Umsning in collaboration with the Tea Research Association, represented by Dr. Souvik Sen, Assistant Advisory Officer along the Development Officer of Tea Board of India.
MGNREGS misappropriation
In yet another alleged case of MGNREGS fund misuse a resident of Umsawnongkharai village in Ri Bhoi has accused the local headman Angelus Sun of swindling money. Addressing media persons here on Friday, the resident W. Syngkli said that as per RTI findings Rs 1.63 lakh was fraudulently withdrawn by the headman by forging the signatures of at least six job card holders. “Even the money (Rs 4.80 lakh) meant for construction of godown for storing agricultural products has been withdrawn but till date the construction has not begun,” Syngkli alleged. He added that Rs 33 lakh was received for construction of a 300 m long footpath but only 100 m has been completed till date. Synkli said that the headman has also defied the orders of the Sordar and the KHADC.
Weighbridges asked to issue weighment certificates
Weighbridges in several districts have been asked by the under secretary of the Transport Department to issue weighment certificates to all goods vehicles with immediate effect. The weighbridges at Dalu in West Garo Hills, Gasuapara in South Garo Hills, Mawpun in West Khasi Hills, Borsora, Cherragoan and Bagli in South West Khasi Hills, Byndihati and Ratacherra in East Jaintia Hills and Garampani in West Jaintia Hills are on the list of the notification that will be effective till further order. Of the weighbridges, the ones at Mawpun and Garampani exit to Assam and the remaining to Bangladesh. Meanwhile, the weighbridge at Umtyr-a in East Jaintia Hills District belonging to Patricia Sympli has been notified to issue weighment certificates to goods vehicles for a year.
Fund-raiser event at William Lewis Home for new project
William Lewis Boys Home Orphanage in Mawphlang has received global attention for the various programmes that have been implemented here. In the last few years, through NESFAS, the Indigenous Partnership for Agrobiodiversity and Food Sovereignty has been working towards the well-being of the children at the Home by focusing on their nutrition and vocational training. Anita Roy of NESFAS has been instrumental in driving the Kids Kitchen Initiative since 2014. As a teacher at the AMBRIT International School in Rome, Roy and her colleagues visited the home last month. Paige Short Thompson, who teaches music, was among the visitors and conducted a singing workshop at the boys’ home. Now, NESFAS wants to merge the idea of the school garden with that of warming the building with a protective layer. To take this initiative forward, AMBRIT International School in collaboration with TIP organised a recital of music titled ‘Piano with Friends’.
