Aroha Junior Choir to compete in Wales
SHILLONG: Aroha Junior Choir will participate in the 71st Choral competition to be held in Llangollen, Wales from July 2 to 8. The local choir will compete with more than 40 choirs from different parts of the world, said Pauline Warjri, president of Aroha Music and Cultural Society at a press conference on Thursday. Aroha passed the choral competition auditions for the international platform and will be competing in the open category, the folk category and Acapella section, Warjri said. “This is the first time that a choir from India is going to participate in the competition. We need to put Shillong on the map,” she added. “The children have been training since December and at the sametime, they have been raising funds for the trip. We will need at least Rs 40 lakh. The choir is organising programmes to generate funds,” she added. On Saturday, a food fest will be held at All Saints’ Hall. The choir will also be holding fund raising concerts while drawing the attention of the public and the government to come forward to support the choir. Warjri informed that 20 children will go to the UK for the competition. The children will be able to interact with different members of choirs from all over the world. “It is not about singing but to raise children as good citizens,” the father of a child participating in the event said.
CSWO asks for video proof of KSU rally violence
SHILLONG: The CSWO has strongly condemned the acts of terror and vandalism by miscreants during the KSU’s 40th anniversary rally on Tuesday and urged authorities to arrest the perpetrators. “As a society we cannot tolerate any such act and urge on the people who were affected to please come forward with any videos so as to help in the nabbing of the culprits,” said a statement by the CSWO. “The government should ensure that the law is equal for all citizens and that no such terror acts are allowed. FIRs should be filed by the administration when they are made aware of any incident brought to their notice that is causing harm to people and people’s lives and public property,” said the statement.
Pressure groups target admin for manipulating coal auction
TURA: Two pressure groups have accused the North Garo Hills district administration of manipulating the recently held coal auction.
The groups — FKJGP from Dainadubi and the Public Joint Action Committee’s Kharkutta circle — said the administration issued the notification for the March 19 auction was issued on March 15, leaving only one working day for bidders to do all formalities. The auction was notified for a minimum amount of Rs 3 lakh. “We would like to know how on earth only one official working day was given to potential bidders when bank drafts and other formalities were needed. And how can only Rs 1.6 lakh be deposited to the government treasury when the minimum bidding amount was Rs 3 lakh? Where is the other Rs 1.4lakh,” the NGOs asked. The NGOs urged the newly formed NPP-led MDA government to initiate immediate inquiry into the scam so that all the culprits, including government officials, can be brought to book. “The people of North Garo Hills feel cheated and betrayed by such kind of government officials and the new MDA government should take note of it. A thorough probe should be initiated so that such kind of officials can be removed otherwise, we will be compelled to knock on the doors of the High Court,” they said.
Doctors save woman’s life
NONGSTOIÑ: Doctors at Civil Hospital in Nongstoin were able to save a 45-year-old woman’s life after successfully removing a cyst weighing 3 kg in a two-hour-long operation. Dr WW Phira, West Khasi Hills district medical and health officer, said on Thursday the operation was lead by Dr W Nongkhlaw, Dr K Slong and Dr N Surong (anaesthetist) and their team. Nongkhlaw told reporters the patient from Nongstoin had complained about abdomen pain last week. He thanked the Almighty for the successful surgery and added that the woman, who is from an economically backward family, was recuperating. Phira appreciated the doctors who were involved in the successful operation and also urged the people of Nongstoin to work together for the betterment of the doctors and staff of the Civil Hospital. He also hoped that this year the blood bank will be fully operated. The Civil Hospital here has adequate doctors and specialists, except in the psychiatric, opthamologist and orthopedician sections, Phira informed.
Youth Cong leader appointed
NONGPOH: Following the resignation of its former leader, the Ri Bhoi District Youth Congress Committee (RBDYCC) on Thursday appointed Lasforious Marngar as the president of the Youth Congress Committee with an aim to strengthen the party. The appointment was adopted by the Shillong Lok Sabha Parliamentary Seat by its president Kyrshan Pamshong. The appointment of the Ri Bhoi District Youth Congress Committee President was taken following the resignation of Rajesh Lapang.