By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: The Megha-laya College Non-Teaching Employees Association (MCNTEA) has decided to call off its agitation after the state government agreed to release the pending arrears. The MCNTEA took this decision following a meeting with East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Sanjay Goyal on Thursday. “We have taken this decision after Government gave a verbal assurance through the Deputy Commissioner to release the pending 30 percent arrears,” MCNTEA vice president J Kharbuki told reporters. Kharbuki said that they would wait till the end of this month for the Government to release their pending arrears.

“If the Government fails to release the arrears within this stipulated time then we would forced to announce another series of agitations in November,” he said. Meanwhile, MCNTEA vice president claimed that they are holding these agitations with the support of the college authorities. Earlier in the day, members of the MCNTEA staged a dharna near All India Radio (AIR), Shillong.

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Tourism Development Forum and the State Government in their endeavour to promote Eco Tourism and sustainable environment in the State will host the Shillong Autumn Festival 2012 with curtain raiser events on October 27.

The event is being organized to create awareness about the need to preserve and care for the environment.

The curtain raiser event with the theme ‘for a greener tomorrow’ comprises of the Shillong Half Marathon and Cycling Race for the youth covering a distance of 13 miles, and the Green Walkathon and Junior Run for the children and others wishing to run or walk a shorter distance of 5 miles.

All the pit stops (fluid stations) along the route will have posters and messages that would highlight the various aspects of degeneration of the environment like air pollution, garbage management, polluted rivers and water resources, random mining and quarrying, abuse and neglect of the heritage structures among others.

The 5-mile Green Walkathon is planned as a community event with an environmental cause where school and college students and enthusiast from other institutions are invited to take part.

All the events will begin at 7 am from Madan Iew Rynghep, Nongthymmai and finish at the Polo Parking Lot.

A total cash prize of one lakh rupees will be given to the winners of the three events in different categories.

There will be various prizes, certificates and medals for the Half Marathon, Cycling Race and the Junior Run. Prizes will also be given to the best costumes, placards and biggest contingent in the Green Walkathon.

All the central and State government organizations, NGOs, educational institutions, traditional institutions including local Dorbar Shnong have been requested to join hands in this annual affair to foster peace and harmony.

The Event Ambassador for this Half Marathon will be internationally acclaimed long distance runner from the State – Bining Lyngkhoi – who represented India in the New Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010 and was the champion in the Mumbai Marathon for 2010 and 2011.

From Our Correspondent

 NONGPOH: In a bizarre incident, a sixty-seven-year-old man was arrested for allegedly raping a seven-year-old girl on three different occasions at Maweitnar, about 20 kilometers from here.

The incident came to light after the victim complained of pain and was taken to the Umsning Community Health Centre where the doctor, following medical examination, informed the girl’s parents that rape had been committed. The girl was then taken to the Nongpoh Civil Hospital where the doctors confirmed the rape.

The family then lodged a complaint at the Nongpoh Police Station on Wednesday and also informed the KSU of the matter. KSU members immediately reacted to the complaints and ‘detained’ the accused identified as Khnier Marbaniang, from his residence at Maweitnar.

According to KSU North Khasi Hills District president, F Kharkamni, the girl had disclosed to her parents that Marbaniang, who was their next-door neighbour, had raped her thrice at his house.

The KSU members later handed over the accused to the Nongpoh Police.

Kharkamni, meanwhile, said that the Social Welfare department should take strong action so that such culprits can be eradicated from the society.

The Seng Longkmie of Nongpoh Pyllun has strongly condemned the incident and demanded stern action against the accused.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: In reaction to reports in a section of the media about the forced shutdown of power supply to areas falling under Dalu for three days recently following an attack on Assistant Executive Engineer, J Deka, the MeECL has clarified that the power supply had not been cut off.

MeECL public relation officer EB Khamujai clarified that “power supply was normal in the entire area on the 5th of October 2012.” “The MeECL Engineers’ Association has also jointly given a representation to the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police in this regard,” Khamujai said.

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: The Shillong Chamber Choir (SCC) will be opening Saturday’s (October 13) episode of India’s Got Talent on Colors Television at 10 pm with their new composition Vande Mataram – Proud to be an Indian.

Written and composed by Neil Nongkynrih, the song is performed by the Shillong Chamber Choir with William Basaiawmoit and Ibarisha Lyngdoh as the soloists. It was recorded in India and the US.

Resul Pookutty (Oscar Award winner for Slumdog Millionaire) contributed towards the sound design.

Other musicians involved were Naveen Kumar (flute), Sanjay Maroo (percussion), Ustad Vasi Ahmed (tabla) and Gulraj Singh (keyboards).

The song was recorded at Yash Raj Studios and Empire Studios, Mumbai and in ACACIA Recording & Production, Maryland, USA.

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: Prof Mesbah Kamal, Department of History, University of Dhaka and Secretary-General, National Coalition for Indigenous Peoples, Bangladesh delivered a lecture on the theme ‘Prospects of Indo-Bangladesh Cultural Ties’ at Women’s College, Shillong.

On the same occasion, Shahriar Kabir, eminent writer, journalist and film maker from Bangladesh, spoke on the ‘Rise of Islamic Militancy and the Resultant Miseries’ which was followed by the screening of his documentary film Jihad without Border.

Y Sterner Jyrwa

Y Sterner Jyrwa, Retd Indian Navy personnel, and husband of Evaiada Saiborne passed away on Wednesday. His funeral will be held on Friday at 2pm from his residence at Oxford Hill New Kench’s Trace in Laban.

J Kharwanlang

Jmensila Kharwanlang, resident of Jyntru, Ri Bhoi passed away on Thursday. Her funeral will be held Saturday at 2pm at Presbyterian Cemetery at Erpakon.

C Kharlukhi

Crimson Kharlukhi (Bahrit Crim), a resident of Mawlai Nonglum Block 5, passed away on Wednesday. His funeral will be held on Friday at 2pm at the Church of Christ Cemetery at Mawlai Nonglum.

C Kharmon

Cluecynoris Kharmon (Kong Deng), wife of Teibor Syiem, a resident of Mawlai Umjaiur passed away on October 11. Her funeral will be held on October 13 at the Mawlai Phudmawri Presbyterian Graveyard at 2pm.

Science Congress

The District-level and the State-level Congress of the 20th National Children Science’s Congress 2012 will be held at Shillong on October 31 and November 1 respectively, informed member secretary, State Council of Science, Technology and Environment.

Food festival

St. Edmund’s College in association with Slow Food, a global grassroots organisation, is organising an indigenous food festival ‘Granaries of Memory’ on the college premises on October 17 from 10am onwards.

Office bearers

Jaintia Hills District Bar Association, Jowai recently elected new office bearers for the term of one year. CS Kyndiah was elected president, K Kynjing and RO Lyngdoh as vice-presidents, Riwan B Hinge as general secretary, L Pohlynjar as the assistant secretary besides eleven others executive members.

Felicitation

Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) West Khasi Hills will be honouring meritorious students of the district on Oct 12. Students from Class 10 to Masters’ Degree who have secured above 70 % in 2012 will have to submit an attested copy of their mark sheets and admit cards at the KSU office in Nongstoin to be eligible for the award.

Trekking

The Youth Hostel Association of India (YHAI), Meghalaya Branch will organise a trekking to Kyllang Peak, 14 km from Mairang in West Khasi Hills on October 27. The trekkers will again walk to Riangmang village via Mawsmai Kyllang. Last date for submission of entries is October 20.

Poetry competition

The last date for submission of entry forms for the Third Meghalaya Poetry Competition 2012 has been extended till October 25. Prize distribution will be held on November 15 at St Edmund’s College Auditorium at 12 noon.

Training

The entrepreneurship development cell of Shillong College is organising a one-day training programme on entrepreneurship development with the theme ‘The making of an entrepreneur-An interaction’ on Saturday at 10.30am on the college premises.

Nongkrem Dance

The Nongkrem Dance, the annual thanksgiving festival of Hima Khyrim will be celebrated on November 2 and 3 at Smit.

The office of the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society, Meghalaya State Blood Transfusion Control and Licensed Blood Banks in collaboration with the Shillong Club Ltd. will observe the National Voluntary Blood Donation Day on the Shillong Club premises from 3pm onwards.

Rita D Nameirakpam, resident of Nongrimbah and daughter of N Pramod Singh and A Sabita Devi of Singjamei, Imphal, has been awarded the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy for English by NEHU for her thesis ‘The Woman’s Voice: A study of the poems of Emily Dickinson’. She worked under the supervision of Associate Professor Dr Mala Ranganathan of the Department of English, NEHU.