Thomas Jones Day observed
SHILLONG: Shillong Commerce College observed Thomas Jones Day and commemorated his arrival to the Khasi Hills on Friday by having a talk on ‘Remembering Thomas Jones’ by a former UPSC Chairperson David R. Syiemlieh, who located the grave site of Thomas Jones in January 1986 at the Scottish Cemetery at Karaya Road in Kolkata. Syiemlieh talked about the short and significant life of Thomas Jones and his invaluable contribution, especially to the Khasi Language and Literature. Jones came to India as a missionary on June 22, 1841 and had set up a mission at Nongsawlia. A year after, he opened the first three schools in Sohra, Mawmluh and Mawsmai. In the same year, he prepared the first Khasi primer in the Roman Script and this was the beginning of the use of Khasi language as a medium of instruction and the very first beginning of Khasi Literature for the Khasi schools. Jones, today, is esteemed as the Father of Khasi Literature. Apart from delivering a speech on Thomas Jones, Syiemlieh also spoke about other missionaries who also contributed to the Khasi Language and Literature like William Pryce, John Hugh Roberts, William Williams and John Roberts.
One-day training held in WKH
Nongstoin: A one-day Training for District Master Trainers on Solid and Liquid Waste Management was organised by the District Swachh Bharat Mission, West Khasi Hills, on Friday at the office of the Executive Engineer PHE, Nongstoin Division. The Deputy Commissioner of West Khasi Hills, T Lyngwa, in his speech, highlighted issues relating to the proper waste disposal and effective waste management system in the district. Another important issue was the global warming and the orders issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on solid and liquid waste management. He informed that step has been taken with the coordination of Headmen, Sordar, and around 70 per cent of them have agreed on the matter, he added. Expressing his concern about health and cleanliness, he said people are required to follow guidelines for systematic and scientific disposal of waste, and further called upon every district official to move forward with a participative approach for better management of waste. The training was imparted by WR Kharkrang, Environmental Engineer, Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) through power point presentation where he explained in detail about the importance of community participation in segregation of waste which should start from one’s own family.
Workshop on Rotavirus
Nongpoh: A one-day District Level Workshop on the introduction of Rotavirus Vaccination was organised on Friday at Parish Hall in Nongpoh, by the Office of the District Medical and Health Officer, Ri Bhoi, for District Medical Officers and District Programme Management Unit, NHM Staff. The objective of the workshop is to train the trainers related with the danger of the Rotavirus disease and also its preventive measures through vaccination. Lectures on the threat of Rotavirus, a highly contagious virus and most common organism that causes diarrhoea in children which may lead to hospitalisation and death, was given. Discussions on the preventive measures like Rotavirus vaccination, a vaccine used for protection against Rotavirus infections, were made. It was also informed that the vaccination will be launched in the district soon after the completion of district-level and block-level trainings.
Foundation day celebrated
Shillong: Meghalaya Film Maker’s Association (MeFiLMA) on Thursday celebrated its 9th Foundation Day at U Soso Tham Auditorium. Urban Affairs Minister Hamlet Dohling, the chief guest at the function, lauded the association for taking the initiative to promote local films makers and providing a platform for budding artists. The minister also urged local film makers to produce meaningful films for the benefit of the people. Earlier, MeFiLMA president Commander Shangpliang highlighted the problems faced by the film makers in the state. The association submitted a memorandum pertaining to issues concerning local film makers to the minister.