Shillong to host screening of Bhupen Hazarika documentary
SHILLONG, July 21: The Centre for North East Studies and Policy Research (C-NES), in association with St. Edmund’s College, will host a screening of the documentary ‘Bhupen Da Uncut’ this Friday. The film, directed by Bobbeeta Sharma and produced by Chinmoy Sharma, is a tribute to the legendary Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika on his 100th birth anniversary. Shot in England in 1999, the documentary offers a unique look at the musical maestro’s life. The event will be held at 4 PM at the St. Edmund’s College Auditorium (Edmund Rice Block) and will be inaugurated by Principal Secretary Frederick Roy Kharkongor. The screening will be followed by an interactive session with the director, moderated by Sanjoy Hazarika.
BJP shortlists nine candidates for Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll
SHILLONG, July 21: The BJP has received nine applications from contenders seeking to contest the upcoming Shillong Parliamentary by-election. BJP MLA AL Hek confirmed that the names of the interested candidates have been shortlisted and forwarded to the party headquarters in New Delhi for final selection. The by-election, expected in the coming months, was necessitated by the death of Shillong MP Dr. Ricky AJ Syngkon earlier this year. Campaigning for the seat has already intensified across the state, with several other political parties having already announced their respective candidates.
New Tura cenotaph 90% complete; war memorial proposed
SHILLONG, July 21: The construction of the new cenotaph building in Tura is nearing completion, with 90 per cent of the work finished, Cabinet Minister and Cenotaph Committee head Marcuise Marak said on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters, Marak explained that while the project was expected to be finished earlier, unrest in the Garo Hills at the start of the year led to labour shortages that halted progress. He confirmed that work has since resumed. The project follows a major controversy last year after the West Garo Hills district administration dismantled a century-old cenotaph in Lower Babupara. The original memorial was built over 100 years ago to honour the Garo Labour Corps who served during the First World War. The government subsequently formed a committee to oversee the construction of the new landmark to ensure the sacrifices of the Garo heroes are appropriately honoured. Meanwhile, the committee has also proposed that the Meghalaya government establish a dedicated war memorial in Tura.
Govt consults stakeholders on Shillong Jal Board Draft Act
SHILLONG, July 21: The Meghalaya government has initiated consultations with stakeholders, including the Rangbah Shnongs, on the draft Shillong Drinking Water and Sewerage Board (Jal Board) Act. The state is in the process of establishing a centralised Jal Board to oversee the distribution of potable water in Shillong. Currently, water supply is managed by both the Shillong Municipal Board and the Shillong Cantonment Board. Once the new board is established, it will take over all water distribution responsibilities for the city. PHE Minister Marcuise Marak stated that the government will proceed with the Act only after comprehensive consultations. He noted that the proposal has so far received a positive response. The Minister explained that the PHE department currently faces significant jurisdictional challenges due to the divided management of water supply. The government aims to resolve these issues by creating a single authority through the Jal Board.
CM reviews Meghalaya house projects across country
SHILLONG, July 21: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday reviewed the progress of ongoing and proposed Meghalaya House projects across the country, directing officials to ensure timely completion without compromising on quality. Chairing a virtual meeting with the Minister in-charge of the General Administration Department (GAD) and senior officials, the Chief Minister assessed the construction, expansion, and management of facilities in Delhi, Noida, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Vellore, and Kolkata. The review focused on improving infrastructure and operational efficiency to better serve students, patients seeking medical treatment, and government officials. Sangma emphasized that these establishments must be well-managed to serve as a “home away from home” for residents of Meghalaya. The Chief Minister instructed the department to closely monitor implementation timelines and expedite pending works.
