Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 186/22

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY OBSERVED IN NEIGRIHMS ON 04.06.2022

World Environment Day was observed in NEIGRIHMS with the presence of the Director of the Institute, Prof. Nalin Mehta, Medical Superintendent Prof. C. Daniala, Sanitation Officer Shri Debal Kumar Das along with senior Doctors, Nursing Officer and Faculty of Nursing College and other employees of the Institute. The day was marked by Tree Plantation in the Institute's Herbal Garden led by the Director and other officials and staff present there. Some of the trees planted are various medicinal /herbal & fruit trees like Red Sandalwood, Agar, Ashoka, Custard, Apple, Coffee, Tea, Grapes, Rudraksh, Cherry Blossom & Plum trees were planted. Simultaneously the Sanitation staff carried the torch further by planting more trees in and around the campus of the Institute. The official programme was also held in the Lecture Theatre Hall, NEIGRIHMS wherein Shri C. P. Marak, Retired IFS Officer and formerly Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Govt. of Meghalaya graced the occasion as Chief Guest and invited Guest Speaker.

"Dichotomy of Environment and Development continue to afflict both at global, national and local level", says Shri C P Marak on the occasion of World Environment Day Celebration in NEIGRIHMS. He urged upon the Institute to keep not less than 66 percent of the campus land under green cover and thus fulfilling the mandate of National Forest Policy. "Residents and patients will derive indirect benefits", he further added.

The Director, Prof. Nalin Mehta, NEIGRIHMS shared his concerns on the declining trends of the Environment and assured that the Institute will put its effort towards making NEIGRIHMS greener by planting more trees and increase Green Cover and to ensure that we do not further pollute the environment.

The Medical Superintendent, NEIGRIHMS Prof C. Daniala also spoke on the importance of tree plantation and that the Institute is committed to compensate the Green Cover the Institute have lost during the infrastructure development of the Institute by planting more trees on areas where there is no plan for construction.

As part of the celebration, Poster Competition was held and participated by employees, students and children of staff of the Institute. Prize money and Certificates were distributed to the first three winners of the Competition by the Chief Guest, Shri C. P. Marak. Various eye catching slogans like, "Be part of the Solution, Not part of the Pollution", "Earth provides enough to satisfy every Man's Needs, but not every Man's Greed", "Don't be Greedy, it's time to be Greeny", were some of the slogans expressed creatively by the participants.

Press Release No. 187/22

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY CELEBRATED AT SAKAL A.DUMA IN NOKREK BIOSPHERE ON 04.06.2022

The Territorial Division of the Soil and Water Conservation Department, West Garo Hills, in collaboration with Rongram C&RD Block, celebrated the World Environment Day with this year’s theme, “Only One Earth” at scenic Sakal A.duma village in the Nokrek Biosphere Reserve on 4 June where the officials from the line departments, the Nokmas of the region, the students from different schools and the villagers of surrounding villages like Sasatgre, Chandigre, Daribokgre, Dura Kalakgre, Baladinggre and Dura Sakalgre participated and North Tura MLA and the Chief Adviser to the Meghalaya Chief Minister, Thomas A Sangma, graced occasion as the chief guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Thomas said that there is no other planet like the earth where life exists and even the human beings may become endangered species one day if misuse of nature and the natural environment continue. While seeking cooperation and support towards preserving the natural environment, he also urged the people to save the declining forest cover and disturbed ecological balance. To maintain clean environment, he stressed on the need to take responsibility by way of reduce, re-use and recycle. He also informed that the Govt. has sent project proposals to the central Govt. to rejuvenate the rivers in the state. Stating that the tourists started pouring in to Nokrek Biosphere Reserve to enjoy the nature, he added that in future, petrol and diesel based vehicles will be allowed entry up-to Chandigre only from where the people visiting the biosphere reserve will be ferried by electric vehicles.

The guest of honor of the day, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Swapnil Tembe, in his speech, asked the people of the region to plant trees and to take care of the planted trees and assured the help and support of the district administration through the Community Led Landscape Management Project (CLLMP), MBDA, etc. Stating that the area has huge tourism potential, he requested the interested youth of the region avail the scheme for home-stays under the Prime Minister Employment Generation Program (PMEGP) being implemented by the District Commerce and Industries Centre (DCIC). He also informed that he will take up Sasatgre as his model village as he has taken up Daribokgre as his model village while he was Deputy Commissioner of East Garo Hills.

The Nokma of Sasatgre A.king land, Denithson R Marak, while speaking on the occasion, sought the cooperation of the Nokmas of other A.king lands to save and preserve the water catchment areas of the region.

Late on the day, the chief guest inaugurated the Water Harvesting Structure constructed by the Soil and Water Conservation Department and funded by the NABARD.

The Divisional Officer of the Territorial Division of the Soil and Water Conservation Department, Charseng Ch Marak, while delivering the welcome address, informed the gathering that the department will take up aforestation in 250 hectares of deforested land.

The Soil and Water Conservation Officer, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, Helthing R Sangma, proposed the vote of thanks on the day.

Press Release No. 188/22

INAUGURATION OF THE COURT BUILDING OF EAST JAINTIA HILLS DISTRICT AT KHLIEHRIAT ON 04.06.2022

The Hon’ble Chief Justice, High Court of Meghalaya, Shri. Sanjib Banerjee, today inaugurated the permanent Court Building of the District and Session Court, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat in the presence of the Hon’ble Law Minister, Government of Meghalaya, Shri. James P.K. Sangma, Hon’ble Mr. Justice H.S. Thangkhiew, Judge, High Court of Meghalaya and Hon’ble Mr. Justice W. Diengdoh, Judge, High Court of Meghalaya. Other who also attended the programme were Shri. C.V.D Diengdoh, Law Secretary, Government of Meghalaya, Shri. Amit Kumar, Advocate General, High Court of Meghalaya, Shri. E. Kharumnuid, Registrar General, High Court of Meghalaya, Shri. A. M. Ripnar, (Judicial Service), High Court of Meghalaya, Shri. A. Baranwal, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat, Shri. Jagpal Singh Dhanoa, IPS, Superintendent of Police, East Jaintia Hills District, and the District Judges and Judicial Officers of Khasi and Jaintia Hills among other dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, the Hon’ble Chief Justice, High Court of Meghalaya, Shri. Sanjib Banerjee congratulated the people of the district and expressed his thanks to the state government for the completion of the beautiful infrastructure (District Sessions Court building) considering the short time that the judiciary has be separated." The plaque that was unveiled does not have any name and that is how public duty should be discharge it has to be nameless faceless, not conscious of who of who is doing it and to whom it is being done, it’s a duty and an obligation it not a privilege or a matter of choice”, he said. He also said “the state has done its bid by giving the infrastructure and it is for us to show ourselves to be worthy of it by manning it appropriately”. He also stated that the court is the protector of rights, it is a place where rights are recognized and rights are appropriately handed down to the deserving. The Hon’ble Chief Justice, High Court of Meghalaya also informed that in the course of this month, the high court will begin an exercise which will be an example for the rest of the country. "We are having the functioning of the High Court audited by an independent agency, for our faults and deficiency to be pointed out so that instead of brushing the mistake under the carpet, we can acknowledge them and correct ourselves as we go in to the future”, he said while also stating that the report will be a public document and open to anybody who is interested to take a look. “We already have a virtual system operating in tandem with the physical system that has several advantages wherein a lawyer can attend their matter on the virtual platform, also, through the virtual system lawyers can link in and be able to witness the proceeding from where ever they are, which will save a lot carbon footprint and save a lot of energy and time and most importantly the young lawyers will get the opportunity of seeing senior advocates from other parts of the country participating on the virtual platform and this will raised the local standard and the aspiration of the younger lawyers”, he added.

While addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Law Minister, Government of Meghalaya, Shri. James P.K. Sangma, said the Court plays a very vital role and he assure that the Government will extend all the assistance and commitment to strengthen the judicial system in Meghalaya. “We are also in the process of establishing the National Law College which is a dream of the Chief Justice of High Court, that we must established this as soon as possible” he informed. He also wished all the judicial officers the very best and believed that they will meet the satisfaction of the people of this district. “In this district, a total of 976 cases had been successfully handle, although there are still many backlog cases, I extremely confident that under leadership of District and Sessions Judge and under her guidance and the entire team these backlog cases will be dispense very soon”, James added. The Minister further stated that separation of judiciary from the executive is necessary due to the fact that certain function must not be exercise by any work organ of the Government, a system of check and balance should be put in place between pillars of democracy. He also said that separation of the judiciary will bring justice closer with people and it becomes cheaper and faster as the disposal of cases has become much easier than before.

The Hon’ble Chief Justice of the High Court of Meghalaya, Shri. Sanjib Banerjee along with the Hon’ble Law Minister, Government of Meghalaya, Shri. James P.K. Sangma, Hon’ble Mr. Justice H.S. Thangkhiew, Judge, High Court of Meghalaya and Hon’ble Mr. Justice W. Diengdoh, Judge, High Court of Meghalaya also planted a sapling in the campus of the District and Session Court building.

Others who also spoke during the programme were Hon’ble Mr. Justice H.S. Thangkhiew, Judge, High Court of Meghalaya, Smt. C. Dkhar, District and Sessions Judge, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat who delivered the welcome address and Ms. N.M. Momin, Chief Judicial Magistrate, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat who offered the vote of thanks. The other highlights of the programme include welcome song, traditional dance, and traditional song.