PwDs to stage protest today
SHILLONG: The Federation of Persons with Disabilities will organise a sit-in demonstration at the parking lot of the Additional Secretariat, on Tuesday. The federation comprises Meghalaya Deaf Association, Khasi Disabilities Association, Garo Hills Association of the Deaf, West Khasi Disabled People Organisation, Meghalaya Liberation Association of Visually Impaired and All Meghalaya Association of Persons with Disabilities. The Federation took this step owing to the failure of the government to implement the reservation regarding the employment of the persons with disabilities in Meghalaya as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, which is 4 per cent job reservation. A section of the reporters also met Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla, who said that Persons with Disabilities met him and said certain calculations are to be made with regard to the 4 per cent job. He added that the PWDs can seek clarification from the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) on the matter.
Winter Festival on Dec 16, 17
TURA: The Tura Winter Festival and the celebration of 150 years of Tura Town is set to take place on December 16 and 17. West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh while informing this in a statement said that various events have been arranged for the celebration which includes Ethnic Show, Oldies Nite/Rock Concert, Photo Exhibition, Flower Show, Slow Food Exhibition, Essay, Drawing and Painting Competition, traditional games, etc. to be held at Tura District Auditorium and DC Park, Tura. Meanwhile, Songkristan (traditional Christmas dance of the Garos) will be held at Chandmary Playground, Tura on December 14.
One-day strike in state on Jan 8
SHILLONG: Following the one-day All India General Strike call given by all Central Trade Unions & Independent Federations of Employees & Workers of the country on January 8, 2020, against the Anti-Workers & Anti-People policies of the Union Government, Meghalaya Joint Council of Trade Unions & Associations (MJCTU&A), in its meeting held on Saturday, has decided to implement the one-day strike in the state along with rest of the country. During the meeting, it was also decided to make a wide campaign of 10-point charter of demands by printing posters and leaflets in English and Khasi, holding gate meetings in front of different offices in the state, and holding a press conference in the city.
Teachers’ meeting postponed
SHILLONG: The Federation of All Meghalaya Adhoc Secondary Teacher Association (FAMASTA) in a meeting held on November 30 at Pynthorumkhrah Golflinks Higher Secondary School, Polo, informed all its members that the general body meeting has been postponed due to unavoidable circumstances. In a statement issued, the publicity secretary of the association said that the reason for the postponement is that the government has not given assurances regarding their grievances. Therefore, it has been decided to wait till February, 2020, and if the government is still adamant with their grievances, then the association may decide to move ahead with its future course of action.
GGU elects new members
TURA: The new office bearers of the Garo Graduates’ Union (GGU) were elected recently during its 52nd Annual General Conference held at the Garo Graduates’ Union Secondary School in Tura. The union elected Merril N Sangma as president, Regesting G Momin as vice president, Gathwin M Sangma as general secretary, Bindaras R Marak and Mughading P Marak as joint secretaries, and Karlinzer K Marak as accountant-cum-treasurer, besides 11 other executive members.
World AIDS Day
NONGSTOIN: The District Medical & Health Officer Nongstoin in collaboration with the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society Shillong and the Urban Mission New Nongstoin Presbyterian Church observed the World AIDS Day on Monday at the Super Market, Nongstoin. The programme, focusing on the theme ‘Ending the HIV AIDS Epidemic: Community by Community’, was held with an objective to stop HIV AIDS starting right from the community itself. The chairman of the programme was Dr P Lynkhoi while the speakers were Pro Pastor I Dura, District Mental Health Program M Dkhar, among others.
Meritorious students feted
JOWAI: The Dkhar Clan organisation locally known as the Ka Sein Kur Dkhar, Wapung Circle, held a general meeting on Friday at Wapungskur football ground and presented award of excellence to 25 persons including students, doctors, lawyers, teachers, politicians and engineers. “In recognition to their hard work and also for being able to bring fame and identity to our clan, we had decided to present these awards of excellency to them as an encouragement. We are proud of them,” a release from the Dkhar clan stated. The general meeting was chaired by its Adviser HM Dkhar where the local MDC JHADC Phasmoon Dkhar was the chief guest and the former MLA Justine Dkhar was the guest of honour.
Seng Kur Warjri holds convention
SHILLONG: The twenty-third annual convention of Seng Kur Warjri was held on Saturday at Umsning Community Hall where thousands of clan members of Warjri clan attended. During the morning session, there was a talk on family management system. She rendered certain human values among the children and their relation with parents and vice-versa. In the annual convention there was a clarion call on every clan belonging to the same ancestry to attend the convention, which includes the War Nongjri, War Nongbri, War Tynghah, War Wahksing bad War Manai. During the morning session of the convention, there was a discussion on family management system delivered by Balasuk Warjri. She rendered certain human values among the children and their relation with parents and vice versa. In the afternoon session, there were entertainment programmes of songs representing different regions of Khasi-Pnar territory. A felicitation programme of the meritorious members of the clan was also held. New office bearers were also elected during the programme which include DL Warjri as president, George A Warjri and Kyrsoi Warjri as vice presidents, Sunshine Warjri as general secretary, Shining Star Warjri and Rajesh Warjri as joint secretaries, Benica Warjri as treasurer, Raphael Warjri as publicity secretary, besides the executive members Prosper Warjri, Lorenzo P Warjri, Bah Kestar Warjri, Hedwin Warjri, Rodson Warjri, among others. The gathering was concluded by a group song by the main leaders of the clan organisation.