Four applicants for HSPDP ticket from Langrin
Mawkyrwat: Four prominent leaders from different parts of Langrin (Ranikor) in South West Khasi Hills have applied for HSPDP ticket for the council polls in 2019. President of HSPDP Langrin Holdingroy Syrwa said the leaders who have applied for ticket are Sping Nongrem from Umpung, Remdorsing Thongni and Sisfery Cansis Wanniang from Mawpud, Baltasar Nonglang from Warsan Lyngdoh area who is also the secretary of the party. Syrwa informed that the date for applications for ticket has been extended to December 15. “We have decided to extend the date so that those leaders who are interested can apply,” Syrwa said, adding that the candidate from HSPDP Langrin constituency is expected to be announced this year.
Poorva Sainik Seva body meets Defence Minister
SHILLONG: A delegation of Meghalaya Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad, Jhalupara Cantonment, led by its president, Subedar (Retd) Subodh Joshi and other members recently met Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and submitted a memorandum to address their grievances. During the meeting, the delegation discussed matters regarding allotment of land on lease to Meghalaya Poorva Sainik Seva Parishad, housing complex for Meghalaya ex-servicemen, matters related to ECHS, maintenance and management of Jhalupara Community Hall and also regarding FSI of the lessee of Cantonment area. The delegation also attended the 71 AGM of All India Gorkha Ex-servicemen Welfare Association held in Dehradun last month.
Metbah lauds services of Civil Defence and Home Guard
TURA: Minister for Civil Defense and Home Guards Metbah Lyngdoh on Thursday congratulated the recipients of awards from the Civil Defense and Home Guards for their meritorious services and performances in the line of duty adding, this would also be an inspiration for others to discharge their duties diligently. Lyngdoh was speaking at the 56th annual day celebration of Civil Defense and Home Guards held at Aglanggre playground in Tura, which he was the Chief Guest. Emphasizing on the significant role played by the department for assisting in any kind of emergency and also whenever calamities, both natural and manmade, Lyngdoh said that the spirit of service is of the highest order. Further, he stated that the department provides help to the state police and civil administration in maintenance of law and order, in meeting security requirements of many central and state Government departments and private sector undertakings. He asserted that they also serve the society by imparting training to the Home Guard volunteers and conducting various training courses on Civil Defence subjects including disaster management. Moreover, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) drawn from the personnel of Civil Defence & Home Guards trained by the NDRF have exclusively been devoted to the task of disaster management and have done a commendable job in conducting rescue operations at Garo Hills during floods and landslides etc, he added. Director General of Civil Defence and Home Guards, R P Agarwal also spoke on the same lines and lauded the awardees for their dedicated and commendable service to the people of the region.
GH teachers demand release of 5 months’ salary
TURA: Rashtriya Madhiyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) Secondary school teachers from Garo Hills who are yet to be paid their salaries since July have urged the government to clear their dues at the earliest. According to a statement issued by the All Garo Hills RMSA Secondary School Teachers’ Association (AGHRSSTA), it was only after submission of several memorandums and meetings with the Chief Minister that their three months’ salaries for the months of April to June was paid in September this year. However, payment for the remaining months have stopped since then and altogether five months salaries from July to November are pending. The association said that it was unfortunate that teachers have to beg every time to get their dues and questioned the possibility of imparting quality education if they are not given any importance. The association added that despite financial constraints, they had rendered their services and conducted the annual examination including other school activities on their own expenses in the absence of any maintenance grant for the whole year. Taking all these into consideration, the teachers urged the government to release their pending dues before Christmas.
School of nursing celebrates 50 years of service
Shillong: Having achieved 50 years of service in providing quality nursing education, the School of Nursing, Civil Hospital, Shillong on Thursday celebrated its Golden Jubilee in a function held at the Nightingale House, Nursing Training Centre, Civil Hospital. The theme of the celebration was “50 glorious years in the heart of health care and mile to go…” Minister for Health and Family Welfare, A L Hek graced the occasion as the Chief Guest while TS Nongkhlaw, DHS (MI) attended the programme as the guest of honour. Speaking on the occasion, Hek lauded the service of nurses all over the state and urged the faculty of the Nursing school and the nursing community as a whole to work with greater dedication and with the cooperation of all stakeholders so that the nursing school may be further improved and upgraded. Meanwhile, Nongkhlaw urged the teaching faculty to imbibe in the minds of the students that nursing is a noble profession and that nurses should be ready to serve in any part of the State and not only look for urban postings. A golden jubilee souvenir was also released during the programme.
Block level livestock mela held in Mawryngkneng
Shillong: As part of the National Livestock Mission 2017-18, the office of the district animal husbandry and veterinary officer, East Khasi Hills organised a one-Day block level Livestock Mela in Mawryngkneng village on Thursday. Local MLA David Nongrum graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Speaking on the occasion, Nongrum emphasized the importance of livestock farming as a potential source of income in rural areas. For sustainable livelihood in livestock farming, he urged the farmers to adopt the modern method of livestock farming for enhancement of production and income. Others who were present include Dr. O. B. Basaiawmoit, Deputy Director AH & Veterinary, Dr. A. Laloo, District AH & Veterinary Officer, P. Iawim, Horticulture Officer, Dr. D. Dkhar, AH & Veterinary Officer, Mawryngkneng C&RD Block and livestock farmers of the areas.
District level ‘spell wizard’ competition held in JH
Shillong: The District Education Department of West Jaintia Hills District and Bharti Foundation organised a District Level Spell Wizard Competition at the district library auditorium, Mynthong on Thursday. ADC of West Jaintia Hills D M Wallang graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Students from Ladmukhla UP SSA school won the first prize, Moodymmai UPS won the second prize and Khliehtyrshi UPS won the third prize respectively. While addressing the students, Wallang said they should take this opportunity and they should continue to study hard. He praised Bharti Foundation for its continuous effort to support Govt and SSA schools to develop the quality of education and give students a platform to perform and gain confidence.
2nd Pynneh La Riti festival concludes in Ri Bhoi
NONGPOH: The 2nd Pynneh La Riti festival concluded amidst the enthusiastic participation of people from various parts of the Hima 12 Lyngdoh in Nongpoh, Ri Bhoi on Thursday. The festival was organised by the Confederation of Sports, Arts, and Culture (CSAC). Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong attended the festive programme as chief guest along with Umsning MLA Jason Sawkmie Mawlong as guest of honor. In his address to the gathering, Tynsong lauded the initiative of the CSAC in organising such a festival which aims at preserving and reviving the culture and traditions of the people of Ri Bhoi. Regarding the demand of the CSAC to declare ‘Shad Sajer’ – a famous festival of the Hima 12 Lyngdoh- as a district holiday, Tynsong stated that since the Deputy Commissioners of the District have been vested with the power to declare two days in a year as holidays, the leaders of CSAC and the Sordar of Elaka Nongpoh Pa’iem Wanphrang Syiem should discuss the matter with the Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi Rosetta Mary Kurbah. Tynsong also asked the CSAC leaders and the traditional heads to organise the third edition of the festival in 2019 in such a way that people from across the district would be able to participate. He also assured the CSAC that the government would be willing to provide assistance in organizing the next festival.
Dimchrang festival to be held in Ampati on December 19 & 20
AMPATI: In keeping with the tradition of winter festivals to promote local art and culture as well as to promote local talents during the holiday season, South West Garo Hills district administration has decided to organise Dimchrang Festival 2018 at the Ampati Mini Stadium on December 19 and 20. It will be organised in collaboration with Ampati Arts & Cultural Society, Tourism and Arts & Culture departments with the involvement of all line departments as well as SBI branches in the district. In this connection a meeting of all the district officers and senior citizens was held at DRDA conference hall, Ampati on Thursday which was presided over by Deputy Commissioner & Chairman, Ampati Arts & Cultural Society, Ramkumar S to chalk out the events and other details. The festival will start with a Grand Carnival on December 19 and various events and attractions and musical performance by local artistes and rock bands will be included in the two-day festival. As many as 60 various stalls will be put up at the venue by the line departments, NGOs and SHGs.
World Soil Day stresses on use of organic manure
TURA: Over 60 farmers from the district were part of the World Soil Day celebration held at Samanda Prapgre in East Garo HIlls under the theme ‘Be the solution to Soil pollution’ on Wednesday. It was organised by KVK Megagre, East Garo Hills, Central Agricultural University. Divisional Officer of Soil and Water Conservation Division, Simsanggre, Charseng Marak was the chief guest. Addressing the farmers, Marak highlighted the importance of soil to the existence of mankind and how our bad farming practices like jhumming and deforestation is a serious threat to our soil. He also spoke briefly of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) which is a convergence of the village heads and line departments of the state. Senior Scientist & Head, KVK, Dr Brijendra Singh, who hailed from North India cautioned against the excessive use of synthetic/chemical fertilizers due to which some states like Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat are facing numerous problems. He urged the farmers to never use toxic fertilizers and instead to opt for organic, green and farm yard manures. In an effort to encourage the use of safe and green fertilizers, the farmers were also distributed organic manure.
Workshop on traditional musical instruments held in Tura
TURA: The traditional musical instrument workshop organised by the A’chik Literature Society (ALS) which began recently at the Don Bosco Higher Secondary School in Tura will conclude on Saturday. The workshop was inaugurated by West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh. Speaking as the Chief Guest on the opening day, Singh said that the evolution of musical instruments reflects a society’s evolution and that the fact that the A·chiks had nurtured many musical instruments like percussion, wind and string instruments speaks how civilized the A·chik people are. He added that learning how to make the musical instruments is equally important as playing them. During the workshop, participants are taught the art of playing and making A’chik Flutes and Chigring, making Rikwareng Rikgitok (necklace) out of Rikwareng Sarat, carving Sepi (Sheild) from wood, including Wangala dance and Grika by six talented instructors, five of whom are from different Garo Hills villages while one is from Shillong. A total of 55 students are participating in the workshop.
Two-day national meet on NE agriculture kicks off today
SHILLONG: A two-day national meet on “North East Agriculture-Farmers Perspectives (NEAFP-2018) will be organised on Friday and Saturday at College of Post-Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences (CPGS-AS), Umiam (Barapani). The programme will be held in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Bio-Diversity International Institute, International Center for Agriculture Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and the International Livestock Research Institute. The inaugural function will be held at Prof. MS Swaminathan Conference Hall, ICAR-RC for NEH Region, Umiam. The chief guest will be Cabinet Minister in charge of Commerce and Industries and Rural Development, Soil and Water Conservation, Sniawbhalang Dhar.