Programme study centre inaugurated in city
SHILLONG: The Programme Study Centre for the Certificate Course in Community Health sponsored by the National Health Mission (NHM) and accredited by IGNOU was inaugurated on Monday at the Old ANM School, Ganesh Das Government Hospital. A total of 22 candidates were enrolled for the course in the Programme Study Centre. J Lyngwa, Jt. Director of Health Services (MCH&FW) cum Nodal Officer, HWC, Meghalaya, N Wanswett, Medical Superintendent, Ganesh Das Government Maternal and Child Health Hospital, H Giri, Sr. Consultant, Pediatrics, Ganesh Das Government Maternal and Child Health Hospital and RR Marak, Nodal officer, NPCDCS, East Khasi Hills attended the programme along with academic counselors, doctors and health officials. The programme was convened by East Khasi Hills District Programme Manager Wishmanly Pamdhai. Lyngwa said that the course is of 6 months duration and after successful completion, the candidates will be posted as Community Health Officers in the Sub Centres upgraded as Health and Wellness Centres under NHM. The National Health Mission has planned to strengthen sub centres as health and wellness centres for implementing public health programmes and to enable comprehensive primary health care service delivery.
Workers’ body, TUR against Draft Labour Code
SHILLONG: The Workers’ Power of Meghalaya (WPM) – a federation of more than a dozen workers’ unions of the state – along with Thma U Rangli-Juki (TUR) have expressed their support regarding the August 2 public rally in Delhi called by the National Platform for Domestic Workers and Central Trade Unions in protest against the Draft Labour Code on Social Security, 2018 proposed by the Central Government. WPM also stands in solidarity with the All Meghalaya Domestic Workers’ Union (AMDWU), who will also take part in the rally.The WPM has opined that the proposed labour reforms which the Central Government is pushing under the guise of streamlining the labour laws of the country will only weaken workers’ rights in the country.
SSA Teachers’ Association demands release of pending salary
TURA: Members belonging to the All Garo Hills SSA School Teachers’ Association have threatened to stage a protest rally in Williamnagar on August 8 if their pending dues are not released by August 3. The teachers had not received four months pending salary and eight months arrears.
Drug peddler apprehended in West Khasi Hills
NONGSTOIN: The Village Defence Party (VDP) of Tiehsaw village, West Khasi Hills, apprehended a drug peddler identified as Dles Sohshang. Sohshang’s involvement with illegal activities was known but the VDP was looking for evidence. On Wednesday they raided his rented house after receiving information and found a package. The accused was later handed over to the police. 15.56 gram heroin was recovered from Sohshang’s possession. Police lauded VDP members’ effort and appealed them to keep fighting against illegal activities.
Umshyrpi College celebrates silver jubilee
SHILLONG: Umshyrpi College inaugurated its Silver Jubilee celebrations on Wednesday. The college which was established in 1994 with only 27 students has made rapid progress over the years and now caters to over two thousand students. Meghalaya Governor Ganga Prasad and Education Minister Lakhmen Rymbui attended the programme as the special guest and chief guest respectively.
Another controversy surfaces at NEIGRIHMS
SHILLONG: Close on the heels of Rajya Sabha member Wansuk Syiem raising the varied problems at NEIGRIHMS, the department of obstetrics and gynaecology is facing new controversy. Sources said an assistant professor of the department wanted to resign and intimated the matter to the director due to overburden of work. Besides, ‘unethical and unequal distribution’ of duties was also cited as other reasons. Sources said the director had assured necessary steps to address the grievances. Earlier, after the head of the department, Dr Santa Singh, had moved out to RIMS, Imphal, to temporarily take charge as the Director there, Dr Subrat Panda was made in-charge of the department. There were allegations that the junior doctors are given more work and Dr Panda was taking less initiative.
Nongstoin College celebrates foundation day
NONGSTOIN: The 40th Nongstoin College Foundation Day was observed at Nongstoin College on Wednesday. The programme was attended by Nongstoin MLA Macmillan Byrsat, Deputy Commissioner KL Nongbri who is also the Chairman of the Governing Board, I. Mawthoh, principal of the college, LL Mawsor, president of the Sponsoring Body beside others. The programme was chaired by the DC. The programme concluded with colourful activities from the music institute, student council along with the teaching and non-teaching staff.
MLCU organises Blues workshop
SHILLONG: A music workshop on Blues was held at Martin Luther Christian University as part of the 6th Annual International Blues Music Day. Students and faculty members from the Department of Music, MLCU were exposed to the tragic origin of Blues, which emerged as a way for the African slaves in the Americas to deal with the harsh realities of their slavery. “It all started with the Blues, modern day music genres are all derivatives of Blues music, hence it’s just very apt that we have a special day to celebrate the rich history, legacy, tradition and most importantly try to spread the magic of Blues Music to the youth”, remarked Rudy Wahlang, member of Shillong’s Blues band Soulmate. Wahlang and the Soulmate vocalist Tipriti Kharbangar stated that Blues is all about expressing emotions through various instruments and strong vocals. “Blues can teach us a lot about life and its hardships,” they added. Other musicians who were present during the workshop included Blue Temptation, Kapil Chettri and Veda V Sharma.