From CK Nayak

 NEW DELHI: Forthcoming Assembly elections in Meghalaya are fraught with imponderables and uncertainties. Hardly three months are left for the polls which are likely in the early part of next year and official announcement is expected as early as this year end. But the ruling alliance is yet to gird its loins although the main opposition NCP turned NPP has declared its candidates some time ago.

“Our electioneering is still within drawing rooms and actual preparation will start only towards next month end,” a senior Congress functionary told, The Shillong Times. The ruling coalition seems to be unmindful of the fact that for the first time in the State’s history the assembly polls will be held under delimitation of constituencies.

This will see at least one fourth of the sitting MLAs some of them Cabinet ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries and Constitutional authorities fighting against each other which means half of them will lose their seats. Few of them may have changed their constituencies but that would not be of much help.

Three prominent leaders — Purno A Sangma, Friday Lyngdoh and J D Rymbai — have decided not to throw in their hats in the ring and will not contest the 2013 election.

One MLA, Masonsing Sangma expired last month and few will not be given tickets because of internal rivalry. This would mean many new faces and some independents taking the plunge. This might make government formation in 2013 a jittery business.

The electoral prospects of some of the sitting ministers are evenly poised and many of them are sitting pretty and confident of winning. Some are sure of victory despite their indifferent performance because their rivals are non-serious contenders.

But problems will start for some of the remaining or just converted Independent candidates. In all likelihood they will get Congress tickets but those they defeated in the last elections will contest as rebels cutting into their vote banks. Moreover, the Congress cannot deny them tickets since it was a promise it had to abide by.

But if this is the plight of the individual candidates, the political parties are not in a better position either. Congress as usual is divided into several factions so also its major alliance partner UDP. “In some cases the fight will be between candidates of the same party,” a senior member of a political party observed.

HSPDP is already vertically divided with both MLAs going in different directions. KHNAM has already merged with UDP but its remnants are still going by the same name thereby creating confusion in the voters.

The main opposition NPP is facing the polls for the first time in the hill state and two of its prominent leaders have remained in NCP. If the NCP decides to put up candidates they will cut into NPP vote banks even if it that be on a limited scale.

Many candidates will have a lot of explaining to do about why they have jumped fences or why they are contesting from another party this time. And as the parties get into election mode and start brandishing verbal swords against each other, the voters will be left puzzled as to why parties which have been working together in the government are now blaming each other.

By Our Reporter

 Shillong: On Gandhi Jayanti Meghalaya also celebrates another significant milestone. The first youth icon who is voted by the public will be publicly awarded at a grand function at the Aurobindo Institute of Indian Culture. Voting for the youth icon started a month ago. Voting for the youth icon ended at midnight of Oct 1. Initiated by Avenues an institution that teaches language skills and grooms young people, the Youth Icon award is a befitting tribute to youth on the Year of the Youth.

Avenues has also instituted awards in different categories such as Social Work, Environment Conservation, Arts, Media etc, The awards are an attempt to identify and acknowledge people from numerous walks of life who have contributed actively and sustainably, yet silently towards a better society and have been examples in their own chosen fields.

To identify these silent crusaders Avenues put together a panel of judges consisting of former minister RG Lyngdoh as Chairman and Patricia Mukhim (Editor, The Shillong Times), Dr Glenn Kharkngor (VC, Martin Luther Christian University), David Laitphlang (President, Shillong Press Club), Dr C Massar (Principal, Lady Keane College), Dr AS Guha (Director, IGNOU IIVET) and Toki Blah (President, ICARE) as members.

Finding the deserving candidate was no mean task for the judges. It took several sittings and brain storming sessions for the panel to arrive at a list of fifteen persons from various categories based on their contribution, the sustainability of their efforts and overall impact in their respective fields. The winners for the categories include Deepak Laloo for ‘Entrepreneurship’, Dr. Rica Lamar for ‘Social Work’, late Moinul Haque Barbhuiya for ‘Visual Arts’, Br Eric S D’Souza for ‘Education’, Carmo Noronha for ‘Administration in Education’, Raphael Warjri for ‘Media’, Dominic Stadlin Wankhar for ‘Citizen Journalism’, Deepak N Marak for ‘Conservation’, Dr. Vidanisth Marak for ‘Tradition & Culture’, Denis Ryan for ‘Eco-Tourism’, Wallambok Lyngdoh for ‘Sports, Daniel Ingty for ‘Advocacy’ while three others have been nominated for the ‘Creative & Performing Arts’ category which include Afflatus, Marding Passah and Benedict Skhemlang Hynniewta.

While the above have been selected by the panel of judges, the State Icon is entirely a peoples’ choice. The Youth Icon was voted via SMS. After short listing five potential icons by votes garnered in the first phase, the last phase witnessed aggressive voting for the top five with each overtaking the other in an evenly contested competition. They include Junestar Kharbuli, Lhai Sing Khongshei, Conrad Sangma, Eugene Niangty and Larsing Sawyan.

Avenues Director, Mark Stone Laitflang informed that over 40,000 votes have been polled so far and that voting will close at midnight of October 1. After the final calculation, the winner will be announced at the grand finale on Tuesday. Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma will hand over the award Meghalaya Youth Icon Award instituted in honour of Late RR Thomas, a renowned orator, philosopher and also the first Principal of Cotton College, Guwahati, Assam’s premier educational institution.

The event is expected to generate a lot of excitement as supporters of their respective icons wait with bated breath for the final announcement. Avenues have lined up some entertainment as well with Shillong’s noted Choir, Aroha performing for the occasion.

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: The Shillong bench of Gauhati High Court on Monday rejected interim bail plea of a youth accused in raping of a minor at Mawlaingut village in East Khasi Hills district.

Justice T Vaiphei, while denying the anticipatory bail application of Shabarli Mawlong (28), also directed him to surrender before police.

Mawlong had been on the run since he had allegedly raped a 14-year-old relative on June 9.

Mawlong, who had earlier secured a one-month interim bail from the District Council Court in this connection, had failed to convince the Court after police presented strong evidence against him.

When contacted, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police M Kharkrang said the bail application of the accused was cancelled by the High Court recently. However, no arrest has been made since the accused is still absconding.

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: The court of West Khasi Hills Additional Deputy Commissioner (Judicial) has issued an order allowing the police to interrogate GNLA chairman Champion R Sangma in connection with the cases registered in Nongstoin.

The court allowed the police to interrogate Champion for three days starting from Monday. The police are given three hours time per day to interrogate GNLA chairman.

The ADC (Judicial) issued this order during the camp court at the Shillong district jail on Monday.

Meanwhile, sources informed that initially the GNLA chairman had refused to appear before the camp court as he was unhappy with the reports in the media that he was planning to escape from the jail.

Champion finally agreed to appear following a request of his lawyer.

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: The All India Meghalaya Medicos Association (AIMMA) will hold a five-day protest from Tuesday against the alleged assault on Dr W. N. Sangma at Chokpot in South Garo Hills.

Dr. Rikrak Napak, General Secretary of AIMMA, said on Monday that in protest against the incident, the AIMMA members, who include doctors, medical students, nurses and nursing students, would observe democratic and peaceful black badge protest across India from October 2 till October 12.

The protest will be observed in all medical colleges and private medical institutions among other health institutes.

AIMMA has said it chose October 2 being International Non-violence day to raise their voice of concern against police brutality.

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: The Government on Monday invited various sections of people to file their suggestion on how to solve the problem of influx as per the decision of the first meeting of the High Powered Committee on influx. The Principal Secretary to Political Department, KS Kropha in a statement issued here said that the written suggestions should be sent to the Secretary, Political Department, Additional Secretariat by October 12.

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: The Department of Allied Health Sciences of Martin Luther Christian University organised a one-day seminar on ‘World Heart Day and International Day of Older Persons’ at the KJP Conference Hall here.

Prof Animesh Mishra, Head of Department Cardiology, NEIGRIHMS, Nirupama James, HOD, Home Science Department, St. Mary’s College and Balasara Lyngdoh, Assistant Dietician, NEIGRIHMS were the resource persons for the workshop.

They highlighted on Cardiovascular Disorders and Geriatric Nutrition and stressed on good nutritional status and sticking to intrinsic values that would help in the quality and longevity of one’s life.

Dr Rennie O Lakadong gave the welcome address, which was followed by the day’s sessions on Geriatric Nutrition, Cardiovascular disorders, and Nutrition for Cardiovascular disorders.

Students of BSc and MSc Medical Laboratory Technology, Medical Imaging Technology, Surgical Technology, Optometry, Physician Assistant, Community Health Practitioner and Nutrition and Dietetics were among those who attended the workshop.

Elsewhere in the State, the District Social Welfare department in collaboration with local NGOs observed the International Day of Older Persons at Williamnagar DRDA Hall.

District Social Welfare Officer N Momin and East Garo Hills Additional Deputy Commissioner Sabrella Marak attended the function.

A large number of senior citizens and NGOs participated in the function.

Meanwhile, the day was also observed at Seng Khasi Hall, Khlieh Shnong, Mawsynram. The function, organised by the District Social Welfare Office, Shillong was attended by KHADC Chief Executive Member PN Syiem, who is also the local MLA, graced the occasion as chief guest. More than one hundred senior citizens from Mawsynram area participated in the function.

Others speakers included Dr L Sawian, District Medical and Health Officer, East Khasi Hills, I Tariang, District Social Welfare Officer, East Khasi Hills, K Marbaniang, District Programme Officer, ICDS, East Khasi Hills and SM Bang, CDPO, Mawsynram C&RD Block.

A highlight of the programme was the felicitation of two centenarians – Wir Sawkmie of Mawspong village and Phren Wahlang of Mawsynram village by the chief guest.

Wheel chairs, hearing aids, white canes to the ailing persons and gift hampers to all the participants were also distributed by the chief guest.

Song and short play was also presented during the programme by the students of St. Fernando Secondary School, Sawsymper and JNV, Mawsynram.

Earlier in the day, a free medical check-up was conducted at the same venue in collaboration with the District and State Resource Centre, Shillong Civil Hospital.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: The launch of the Chief Minister’s ‘Youth for Green Campaign’ Movement will kick start with a marathon on Tuesday from Madan Iewrynghep, Laitumkhrah to the JN Sports Complex (Basketball Court) at 7am and simultaneous cleaning drives in various localities of the city.

In a press statement issued on Monday, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Sanjay Goyal informed that this movement is being initiated with an aim to generate, evoke and create mass awareness amongst the public in order to maintain cleanliness in their localities, surroundings, market places, rivers and others.

The cleaning drive will be conducted in Malki, Nongshilliang, Laban, Mawkhar, Lumiablot and the market places in GS Road.

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: The chairman of the Grand Council of Chiefs, JF Kharshiing, on Monday said that a meeting of the council will be held on October 5 at Lumjingsuk, Demthring, to deliberate on the issue of influx among other matters.

In a statement issued here on Monday, Kharshiing said that the need of the hour was for all the authorities of the State, ADCs, traditional institutions and the NGOs to jointly take responsible action to deal with the issue of influx in a manner that would bring about effective action in the short and long term legislation.