Groups and JHADC officials inspect Jowai China Bazaar
JOWAI: Two prominent pressure groups of Jaintia Hills the Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) led by Rikut N Parien and the Jaintia Youth Federation (JYF) led by its President Poipynhun Majaw along with officials of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) inspected China-Bazar on Thursday. One reaching the shop, as soon as they started to enquire about the shop, the man sitting in the counter, a non-tribal made a call and soon later the President of the Meghalaya People’s United Front (MPUF) appeared and claim ownership over the shop. ‘This is my shop and you have no right to interfere and get out of my shop”, he said to members of JSU and JYF. When he was asked to prove his claim of ownership over the shop by JSU, JYF members and also by members of the media, he challenged that he will file a complaint against them and failed to provided any proof being a NGO leader in the district.The war of words and heated argument between the MPUF president and the members of JSU, JYF lasted for an hour. Everyone in Jowai knows that China Bazar is run by non-tribals and the MPUF president claim that it belongs to him. Earlier he said that he is in a partnership with Shamshan of UP, and that he took over the shop one month ago.But he denied proof of his stand with documents such as sale deeds agreement and others. However, he has obtained the valued tax certificate and is still applying for labour license and establishment certificate beside Temporary Clearance Certificate from JHADC.The JSU and JYF has urged JHADC to properly investigate into the matter so that no Benami practice is allowed in Jowai.
Lift coal mining ban, HANM tells Mukul
JOWAI: The Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) in Jaintia Hills has demanded that the MUA-II Government led by Mukul Sangma to find out ways and means to lift up the NGT ban on coal mining in the state.“The ban on coal mining in the state has affected the economical status of people which is worse than the ban on cow slaughter”, HANM stated in a released issued here. HANM also reminded the Chief Minister, that the ban on coal mining has affected most of the family due to financial crisis and has force children to drop out from their studies especially the students studying in in Shillong and even outside the state. “East Jaintia Hills is one of the most affected district as almost all the people depend on coal mining and coal business for their livelihood”, the statement added. HANM also urged all seven MLAs from Jaintia Hills to raise their voice on the issue for lifting the ban on coal mining.
MLCU ranks 38 among top private varsities in country
Shillong: The 2017 India Today rankings of the best universities in the country has placed Martin Luther Christian University Shillong as number 38 in the list of best private universities in the country established after 2000. This is a noteworthy accomplishment for this young university, established in 2006, that has broken new ground in higher education with its many academic innovations. Dr Glenn C Kharkongor, founder, vice chancellor of MLCU said , “MLCU set out to be a developmental university, to serve the community needs of Meghalaya and the Northeast. We decided to offer only skills-oriented courses, introduced continuous evaluation instead of examinations and tried ways of teaching that cater to tribal student’s ways of learning. Attendance and pass rates are high and of the six thousand graduates, almost all are placed in the Northeast itself. The ranking is a high tribute to the faculty and the entire team over the 11 years of our existence” He is now the chancellor of the university. RG Lyngdoh has been vice chancellor for the last four years. UTM, also in Meghalaya is ranked 39. Assam Don Bosco University is ranked 25.
Zenith inaugurates solar street lighting system in WGH
TURA: Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Zenith Sangma inaugurated the 16 KW Solar Street Lighting System at Garobadha on Wednesday dedicating it to the people of the area in the presence of South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner C.V.D. Diengdoh, MDC of Dengnakpara Sadhiarani Sangma and other local leaders and district officials. The solar street lighting system is a project of Meghalaya New &Renewable Energy Development Agency (MNREDA) in coordination with MNRE– Government of India and the State Government to promote clean and sustainable energy. With this system in place the people of the area can now expect to get light even when power cuts take place and urged upon the Solar Street Lighting Management Committee members to take responsibility of properly maintaining this public asset with a sense of ownership.
Bakery posing health concerns in Tura
TURA: A complaint has been filed against a local bakery based at Rongram market near Tura for operating under unhygienic conditions as well as for employing child labourers. The unnamed bakery is being run by one, Angur Islam of 2 No Puber Gram under Mankachar in Hat Singgimari District of Assam. Tura Childline, Bakdil recently visited the said bakery and found that it was functioning under unhygienic conditions and using sub-standard materials for preparation of various food items. It was also found that packing of finished products is being done on the factory’s cemented floor. A further inspection revealed the use of expired raw materials like vanilla essence, jelly and oil etc which were full of fungus.Meanwhile, Childline, Bakdil has urged concerned department officials to carry out an inspection of the said bakery including other food units mushrooming at Rongram Market so that health of the general public is not compromised.
Neighbourhood youth parliament held
SHILLONG: Nehru Yuva Kendra, Shillong organised a Neighbourhood Youth Parliament Programme in collaboration with the Association for Community Development Sohra region at Mawkma village recently. The programme aims at motivating the youths to strive for excellence in their respective fields and to bring them to the forefront of the development process. Advocate Smiti Phila Nongrum was also present during the programme. She explained the need of basic legal rights, how to file an FIR, RTI, and also stressed on crime against women. The Association for CommunityDevelopment concluded the programme with a cleaning drive under the supervisor of Secretary Betorien Wanroi.
Tura passengers injured in road mishaps
TURA: Several passengers from Tura who were travelling in a public transport vehicle sustained injuries after their vehicle met with an accident on the Assam highway on Thursday. The accident involving a Tura Xylo cab and a public bus occurred outside the town of Bijoynagar in Kamrup district. The ML08 E 6455 white Xylo was heading to Guwahati from Tura with passengers when a public bus speeding from the opposite direction rammed straight into it near the Bijoynagar over-bridge. Four passengers of the vehicle sustained injuries and have been reportedly taken to Guwahati for medical treatment. Meanwhile in West Garo Hills, a public bus packed with passengers that was travelling towards Phulbari lost control and landed in a nearby field on Wednesday.The extremely poor condition of the Agia-Medhipara-Phulbari-Tura road (AMPT) has been a major concern for commuters.The driver of the bus had tried to avoid a large pothole in the middle of the road when he lost control of the vehicle at Shikakandi village of Rajabala. Over half a dozen passengers escaped with minor injuries. The AMPT road is one of the oldest roads in Meghalaya and connects all the major hubs of West Garo Hills to the town of Tura. Its journey begins from Goalpara’s Agia town and snakes through Medhipara (Assam), Tikrikilla, Phulbari and into Tura.
Medicinal plant garden, herbal school inaugurated
JOWAI: The Dorbar Shnong, Namdong A in West Jaintia Hills inaugurated a park, traditional herbal medicinal plant garden and a herbal medicine school on Thursday. According to Rangbah Shnong, the park, the garden and the school was constructed from the village fund without any government financial assistance. “The total cost spent for the construction of the park, the garden and the school is 4.20 lakhs”, the Rangbah Shnong informed. The construction includes the bamboo foot bridges connected from one banyan tree to another along with view points and a tree house, the traditional herbal medicinal garden and the herbal medicine school. So far 18 students have been enrolled and two local herbal practitioners including Paul Lamare and Albinus Biam will teach in the herbal medicine school. Programme Coordinator KVK, Jowai, A. Syngkon inaugurated the traditional herbal medicinal plant garden and the school.
Cattle thieves arrested in WJH
JOWAI: Nartiang police in West Jaintia Hills arrested three persons for their involvement in stealing two buffaloes worth Rs. 1.30 lakhs from Myrjai village in West Jaintia Hills. The owner of the cattle, Pyntne Chyrmang of Myrjai village lodged a complaint at Nartiang Police Station on Saturday last. During police investigation, it was found that the buffaloes were traced in Jalaphet (Pyrdung) village in East Jaintia Hills in the custody of one Dwilson Langstang who stated that he took the two buffaloes from one Bika Dkhar of Myrjai village and one Lowis Biam of Umroi Ri Bhoi District along with one non-tribal. The accused were intercepted and on being question, both confessed to have committed the theft along with their friend, Uday Singh of Khaspur, Kacchi, Patna.Police arrested all the three accused under appropriate section of law.
USTM fulfils UGC compliance
Shillong: The University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM) has put forward another step towards the dream of becoming a world class University as the University Grants Commission (UGC) has notified that USTM has fulfilled the UGC Compliance for 12(B) status. The University is now eligible to apply for financial grants for research projects from UGC and organisations funded by Central Government. It is worth mentioning that USTM is receiving financial grants in recent past for research and infrastructure development from Central Government organisations like DST, DBT, ICSSR, MFPI, etc.
‘Peeping Tom’ gets an eyeful
TURA: An employee in a food joint at Rajapara town of Assam was given a sound trashing by police personnel who arrested him after a woman traveller spotted him trying to take a video on his mobile from a toilet ventilator on Thursday. The woman, a passenger from Garo Hills, had entered the roadside dhaba ‘Hotel Beauti’ and had gone to the toilet when she reportedly spotted someone from outside trying to take a video grab on a mobile phone through the toilet ventilator. She raised an alarm and others in the stall soon caught the accused, an employee, and handed him over to police who gave him a sound trashing.
Standup comedy in city
SHILLONG: Mikado, an upcoming lounge and restaurant which is aspiring to be a performing art centre for Shillong is bringing standup comedy and magic to Shillong. They are hosting stand up comedian Abhineet Mishra, a Shillongite, and international comic-illusionist Manas Tayalon Friday. The brains behind this initiative, Pooja Banerjee and Anupam Chowdhury, say this is just the start. “It is our attempt to encourage performing arts, particularly stand up comedy, in the city, which is renowned for its rock culture. We see Mikado emerging as a platform for performing arts in Shillong.”
Dancers wanted for TV channel
Shillong: The All Meghalaya Dancers Association (AMDA) stated that it needs child artists, from 4 to 12 years for a TV channel at Mumbai and there will be an online audition. Interested people can contact . 8575667940/WhatsApp No 9436309032
International Yoga Day observed
SHILLONG: International yoga day was celebrated at NEIGRIHMS on the international day of yoga on Wednesday. Faculty, staff members and students actively participated in the yoga session that began at 7 am in the morning. Meanwhile, William Carey University also observed International Yoga Day at the University campus at Umkdait, Nongmynsong. The Vice Chancellor Paul Mohan Raj highlighted the holistic health benefits of yoga exercises for all.