By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: The uniqueness and distinctiveness of the Mawphlang Sacred Grove which is attracting a lot of tourists from other states and abroad as well requires more recognition to boost the economic income of the village and the state as a whole.

Keeping this in mind, the Mawphlang Lyngdohship has decided to organise the 5-day Hima Mawphlang Cultural Extravaganza 2011 from October 3 to 7 at the vicinity of the famous Mawphlang Sacred Grove which will showcase the culture and traditions of the indigenous tribes of Meghalaya.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, one of the organizers, Banlum Blah said the grove still lacks exploration compared to the other tourist spots in the state. He pointed out that last year, out of the 6 and half lakhs tourists who visited the state, only 40,000 of them visited the grove.“If there is a flow of tourists it means increase in the economy and this flow could provide employment to a large number of unemployed youth in the area”, Blah asserted.

To a query on organising the festival at this time of the year, Blah said October is mainly the month where there is a huge flow of tourists to the state so it is a good opportunity to make our traditions known to the world.

 Meanwhile, highlighting on the activities in the festival, another organizer, NK Lyngdoh said besides popularizing the sacred grove, the association also aims to revive the traditional dances and practices of the various Himas in the state.

 The 5-day event will showcase the traditional dances and music on ethnic instruments, traditional narration of folk tales also known as (Phawar in Khasi), display of traditional attire and orientation and traditional ‘no-frills’ organic food and beverages.

 Besides these, guided tour of Mawphlang Sacred Grove for a physical knowledge of rare herbs, orchids, flowers and plant species will also be organise and trekking (with guides) on the 14kms bridal path between Mawphlang and Lad Mawphlang which is commonly known as the ‘David Scott Trail’ will also be conducted during the 5-day event.

 The timing of the 5-day cultural programme was scheduled to start from 4 till 7pm and the entry fee is Rs 100 for adults and Rs 50 for infants.

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: The NSS St.Edmund’s College is organising a special camp with the theme ‘Healthy Youth for a Healthy India’ at Mylliem Marbaniang & Baniun Villages from the 1st to 7th October 2011.

About 40 volunteers including teachers and programme officers will conduct awareness programmes on issues of Health, Sanitation, Environment besides conducting Participatory Rural Appraisal, Social Mapping and Socio-Economic survey.

The camp will also include Free Medical and Eye Check up Camp, School Competition and Cleaning Drive. Dr.D.R.Thangkhiew, Vice Principal of the college will be the Chief Guest.

Meanwhile, NSS Volunteers of Government Boys’ HS School, here together with students and teaching community of the school organized a one day cleanliness drive on September 30 in and around the school campus to observe the ensuing Gandhi Jayanti.

Around 950 participants took part in the cleaning drive which was initiated by the Principal, School Staff and NSS Unit.

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: A hardcore NDFB (AT) militant SS Sgt Maj Biranjay Boro, a resident of Village No. 2, Boulakhar, PS Bijni, Chirang District, Assam surrendered before the BSF. The BSF established contact with the militant and motivated him to surrender and join mainstream, whereas the militant after a long and sustained persuasion agreed to do so.

Biranjay had joined NDFB in November 2005 and was trained at Bolchuri camp of NDFB located at Khagrachari in Bangladesh. At the time of surrender he was working as Area Commander, NDFB (AT), Panbari Reserve Forest covering areas from Ulubari, Chirang District to border areas of Baksa/Barpeta District, Assam. The militant surrendered with a 9 mm pistol (Italy made) along with 5 live rounds of cartridges.

From Our Correspondent

 NONGSTOIN: The Meghalaya state legal service Authority in collaboration with the district legal service authority Nongstoin will organize the Lok Adalat at Nongstoin public school onOctober 8 from 9.00am onwards.The purpose is to settle the long pending cases by way of amicable compromise. All concerned are requested to attend the Lok Adalat.

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: World Tourism Day was recently observed by the Office of the Tourist Officer, Ri Bhoi District at the Tourist Information Centre, Nongpoh along with the rest of the state.In keeping with this year’s theme “Tourism – Linking Culture” an awareness programme was organized and was attended by members of Tourism Groups and NGOs.

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: One, Biolin Kharbuli succumbed to injuries while 2 others were injured when the taxi (ML05 H 3899) they were travelling in was badly hit by a Tata Mobile (ML05 G 1177) at Sohryngkham Road at around 2.15pm on Friday.

The deceased was the wife of Rymphang Kharumnuid residing at Sohryngkham Liewlong. The two injured were identified as Halington Nongrum (44), the taxi driver and Colonel Wahlang (21) from Mawpat According to police, the taxi was on its way from Sohryngkham to Shillong when it was hit by a full speed Tata Mobile on its way from Shillong to Jowai.

The injured persons were later shifted to Shillong Civil Hospital.

In another case, one person identified as Peter Wahlang (38), resident of Laban Red Cross was found lying unconscious at Anjalee Petrol Pump here on Friday.

He was admitted to Shillong Civil Hospital.

From Our Correspondent

 NONGSTOIN: The Jing iaseng samla KJP Synod Sepngi organized a one day seminar on the topic of clean election.

Executive Secretary of the KJP Synod Rev B.R.Kharnaior was the resource person who said that the youths can play an important role to motivate the rural people on clean politics.

He said that in the past elections many political parties use to buy their vote from the public which was the dirtiest thing in human society.

He said that all the church leaders could work hand in hand to bring political change in the state and bring about clean politics.

From Our Correspondent

 JOWAI: Khliehriat police arrested one Phein Paslein of Mynthlu village in Jaintia Hills on Thursday evening for allegedly raping a woman of the same village.

Sources informed that the incident took place on September 1 when the woman went to work with him.

Police sources informed that Paslein was found absconding from the village after committing the crime.

Meanwhile, the KSU Khliehriat Circle has condemned the act and demanded action against the guilty.

By Our Reporter

 SHILLONG: The Red Ribbon Club of Buddha Bhanu Saraswati (BBS) College, Upper Mawprem staged a street play (nukkad natak) “Yeh Jeevan Hain Phulo Ka Mala” recently to create HIV/AIDS awareness.

The play was staged by 20 students of BBS College at vital junctions of the national highway adjoining Mawiong village where the truck drivers and others were the prime target audiences. The play was held at three strategic points along the highway. Many people who witnessed the play on the roadside were made aware about the disease and precautions needed to be taken in order to prevent the disease. Booklet and brochures were also distributed after the play to the audiences.The street play was organized by BBS College in collaboration with Meghalaya Aids Control Society besides it was attended by State Liaison Officer, NSS, Government of Meghalaya, Dr H Iangrai.

Rabon Sing Literary Award

The ‘Kur Saw Kpoh Lyngdoh Buam’ will be organizing “The Rabon Sing Literary Award” at the Conference Hall, St. Anthony’s College to felicitate the toppers in Khasi literature at the level of Masters, Degree and SSLC at 1:30 pm on October 3. Meghalaya Parliamentary Secretary, Dr PW Khongjee will be the chief guest on the occasion.

 Golden jubilee puja celebration

Indra-Villa of Laban Harisava will be celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Durga puja from |Oct 3rd to 5th at the residence here. All are invited on the occasion.

 Appreciation

The farmers under the banner of the Hynniewtrep Border Area Farmer Association have extended their gratitude to the Office of the Commissioner Register of Society for its efforts in retrieving the register of the association from Wahlakhiat at Mawkynrew, East Khasi Hills which had gone missing.

 Meet

The St Ursula Border Area Higher Secondary School has invited all the past pupils to the past pupils’ meet i n the school premises at 10am on October 26.

Annual Meet

The Annual Meet of the Don Bosco Past Pupils’ Association, Shillong will be held at Don Bosco Technical School from 8.30am onwards on October 9. A discussion on the topic ‘Impact of Right to Education to our Society’will also be held on this day.

Rally

An anti-plastic awareness public rally will be organized on October 1 by the partners of Pla Iew Club to reassert the State Government’s stand against banning of plastic below 40 microns in the State. Around 100 people from various NGOs and Youth Groups will participate in the awareness public rally. The rally will start at 11am from Motphran and proceed towards Police Bazaar (Khyndailad), Governor’s House, Swami Vivekananda Road (Additional Secretariat) and finally congregate at State central Library Auditorium (U Soso Tham) premises.