NEHUSU candle march to protest against masked assaulters
SHILLONG: NEHU Students’ Union (NEHUSU) on Monday organised a candle light vigil to express sadness over the attack on students by masked miscreants. In a statement issued here, the president of the union, Genuica Majaw said that such cowardly acts should be dealt with by the law of the land and urged the police department to speed up the investigation and at the same time demanded from the VC of NEHU to beef up security within the campus so as to ensure safety and security of the students. “We know for a fact that the VC has not achieved anything for the university but he should possess a sense of responsibility when it comes to the lives of the students. We condemn the cowards behind the mask and we would like to send a clear message that we will not be intimidated by a bunch of thugs,” she said.
Youth body irked over delay in construction of school building
SHILLONG: The A’chik Youth Welfare Organisation (AYWO), Mendipathar Regional Branch, North Garo Hills has informed that the construction work of Mendipathar Secondary School (Previously named Assamese school) funded by Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources in 2009, has not been completed despite withdrawal of Rs 38.24 lakh since the year of sanctioning. The contract had been given to Devi Bala Boro, a first class contractor from Katholbari, Tikkirkila, West Garo Hills. “Rs 38.24 lakh has been withdrawn for first installment since 2009. However, the construction of the school building has been stopped with some standing wrought iron,” the AYWO said. The managing committee of the school failed to give valid answers to the queries.
Illegal house construction to get compensation alleged in KH
TURA: The AKHAF from Khasi Hills has alleged illegal construction of houses taking place along the under-construction two lane road from Ranikor to Baghmara via Nongjri, Khonjoy and Moheskola in order to get the compensation package. In a statement issued here on Monday, the federation alleged that newly constructed houses were seen along the road from Nongjri to Moheskola since September 29 onwards, some of which come under the jurisdiction of certain villages. “This is being done to cheat the government and to be included to get the compensation package. They may even try to obstruct the road construction if they are not included for compensation,” the federation said.
Two-day interactive programme
RANIKOR: A two-day interactive programme for the students of urban and rural areas organised by the office of the Border Areas Development Officer (BADO), Mawkyrwat, in collaboration with the District School Education Officer (DSEO), Mawkyrwat at Nolikata HS School, Ranikor concluded on Saturday in which Deputy Commissioner of South West Khasi Hills Isawanda Laloo was the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, Laloo urged students to become ambassadors for goodwill, harmony, good attitude and behavior. Other highlights of the programme included lecture on various topics like science and techonolgy, information technology, teenage pregnancy, effects of alcohol and drugs, etc.
NGO, NESFAS collaboration likely
SHILLONG: Living Farms, an Odisha-based NGO will be visiting NESFAS till October 19 with the objective to exchange ideas and explore possibilities for future partnership and collaboration. “As part of the exposure visit, the group will visit three partner communities, Nongtraw, Khweng, Rapleng. During these field trips, they will get an opportunity to understand the lifestyle and agriculture systems of indigenous farmers of Meghalaya,” Pius Ranee, a senior associate at NESFAS, said. NESFAS on Thursday will facilitate a special session for the 13 Living Farm staff and members of the three mentioned communities at KJP Assembly Conference Centre, Lachumiere. The main objective of the session is to share results of the best agroecological practices, in relation to pest and soil management. It may be mentioned that on October 2, NESFAS received certificates from the Participatory Guarantee Systems Organic Council (India) of 20 Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) groups, who are also partner communities of NESFAS.
Programme on women’s welfare
SHILLONG: Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) organised a special programme entitled ‘Walk for Women’s Health’ in collaboration with Rotary Club of Orchid City to observe the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Gordon Rangad, the chief guest of the programme, flagged off a walk to begin the programme who later joined the Vice Chancellor of MLCU, the president and office-bearers of the Rotary Club of Orchid City and others in the walk from Pohkseh to MLCU campus, Nongrah. A concluding programme was organised at MLCU campus chaired by Pradeep Pillai, president of Rotary Club of Orchid City. On the occasion, the Department of Allied Health Sciences presented the various achievements of the joint programme on breast cancer by MLCU and Rotary Club of Orchid City which was initiated by a MoU signed in April. The joint programme was carried out in Thadnongiaw, Nongspung and Mawpadang.
Avoidable blindness-free villages
SHILLONG: Bansara Eye Care Hospital in collaboration with Operation Eyesight Universal (OEU) on Thursday, declared 6 villages namely Jerlang, Hilland, Mawtngam, Nongeitser, Pynden Mawlieh and Mawkyllung in South West Khasi Hills as ‘Avoidable Blindness Free Villages’. A declaration ceremony programme was organised in Mawkyrwat which was attended by the CEO of Bansara Eye Care Hospital, Aaron Basaiawmoit, field coordinator of South West Khasi Hills, Bansara Eye Care Hospital, Edmundton Suna including the programme manager of OEU. In another event observing World Sight Day, a free eye screening camp was organised by Bansara Eye Care Hospital in collaboration with the Mission for Vision (MFV) at Bamkamar in West Jaintia Hills.
Demand for release of salaries
SHILLONG: The Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers’ Association (KJDSTA) and the Garo Hills Deficit School Teachers and Employees’ Association (GHDSTEA) have reiterated their demand for the release of the 2nd installment of arrear of the revised pay at par with the final and last installment of government employees before Christmas. In a statement issued here, the president of KJDSTA, Kular Khongjirem said that it is injustice on the part of the state government if 100 per cent of arrears will be cleared for the government employees whereas teachers have not even been paid the 2nd installment. “The public as well will not appreciate such acts of partiality to the builders of the nation,” he said.