Shillong, September 7: Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, today attended a public reception organised in his honour by the people and Government of Meghalaya at Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong. He expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and said he would always stand with the people of Meghalaya in the State’s development journey.
The Vice-President highlighted Meghalaya’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty and unique social institutions, including its matrilineal heritage. He said the State’s vibrant grassroots institutions reflect India’s diversity and democratic traditions. Recalling his former Lok Sabha colleague, late Shri P. A. Sangma, he described him as a great leader and an outstanding speaker who made a significant contribution to parliamentary democracy.
Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan said true secularism means respecting each other’s thoughts an beliefs. He emphasised that people must live together with mutual respect and harmony. He also stressed that development must be inclusive and no section of society should be left behind.
Highlighting the importance of connectivity, the Vice-President said every effort is being made to connect remote villages with towns and cities. He noted that over 46,000 km of rural roads have been constructed in the North-East under PMGSY in the last decade, with expenditure of over ₹47,000 crore. He also appreciated Meghalaya’s reform-linked MoU under Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0.
The Vice President laid the foundation stones for five projects worth ₹1,010.95 crore. These include the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme Phase II, Part A (₹850.58 crore) under the Urban Challenge Fund, two road connectivity projects under NESIDS, a 30-bedded AYUSH facility at Shillong Civil Hospital and a 132/33 KV substation at Mawkhanu under PM-DevINE.
He also inaugurated the Maternity and Children’s Hospital at Nongstoin, completed at a cost of ₹31.05 crore under the National Health Mission. He said the projects, together worth about ₹1,042 crore, will strengthen water supply, connectivity, healthcare and power infrastructure in Meghalaya.
The Vice-President appreciated the State Government’s initiatives in infrastructure and tourism, including the homestay programme, CM-Elevate and Green Meghalaya. He congratulated Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma, his Council of Ministers and the people of Meghalaya for the State’s progress.
Speaking on the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan emphasised that progress must be inclusive, leaving no section of society behind, while preserving Meghalaya’s rich environment, culture and traditions. Referring to the State’s living-root bridges and the landscapes of Sohra and Mawsynram, he said Meghalaya offers valuable lessons in living in harmony with nature.
Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Deputy Chief Ministers Shri Prestone Tynsong and Shri Sniawbhalang Dhar, Minister Shri Sanbor Shullai, Chief Secretary Dr. Shakil P. Ahammed and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
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Jowai, September 5: The Office of the District School Education Officer, West Jaintia Hills brought together teachers from across the district to commemorate the 65th Teachers Day celebration on September 5 at the District Library Auditorium, Jowai, and to recognize their dedicated service, commitment and valuable contribution towards the advancement of education.
The occasion was graced by Shri. Lahkmen Rymbui, Minister In-charge of Education, Information & Public Relations Department as chief guest, while Shri Kyntu Shullai, MCS Assistant Commissioner & BDO, Laskein C&RD Block, West Jaintia Hills District as the Guest of Honour. The District School Education Officer Dr. (Smt) Wa I Sa Sumer was also present on the occasion, along with education officials, teachers and students.
Addressing the gathering Education Minister Lahkmem Rymbui extended his greetings to the teaching fraternity on the occasion of Teacher's Day and appreciated their dedication and commitment to nurturing young learners. He observed that the role of teachers has evolved with the changing educational environment and stressed the importance of continuous learning and adaptation to meet the changing needs of students.
The Minister encouraged teachers to be a source of inspiration, hope and encouragement for students, particularly in helping them overcome peer pressure and build confidence. He also emphasized that education should go beyond marks, certificates and textbooks with a greater focus on developing student’s skills, competitiveness and individual potential.
Referring to the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) requirement for in-service teachers, the Minister acknowledged the concerns of teachers, particularly those with long years of service, and informed them that the compliance deadline had been extended from 2027 to 2028. He also congratulated the teachers who have successfully cleared MTET.
He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of the teachers and called for collective effort to prepare young students with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to meet the challenges of the future. He also congratulated the State and District awardees for their exemplary service and contribution to education.
Shri. Kyntu Shullai expressed gratitude to the teaching fraternity for their dedication and commitment towards shaping future generations. He highlighted that teachers play an important role not only in imparting education but also in stilling values, fostering empathy, integrity and building character among students.
He encouraged students to cherish and respect their teachers by putting into practice the knowledge and values imparted to them and growing into responsible citizens and future leaders. He also called for continued support to educational institutions and collective efforts to strengthen education across West Jaintia Hills District.
During the celebration, District Awards were present to deserving teachers in recognition of their dedicated service and contribution in the field of education. The recipients were Smt.Phrangki Pran, Assistant Teacher, Thangrain Lower Primary School and Shri. Kissme Sungoh, Assistant Teacher, Nartiang Presbyterian Upper Primary School.
The Best Guide Captain Award was conferred upon Smt.Lamisakani Dkhar, Lissi Pearl Secondary School, Mukhla in recognition of their dedicated service and contribution to the Scouts and Guide movement.
Adding vibrancy to the celebration, students presented songs, dance, recitations as a gesture of love, gratitude and respect towards their teachers.
The Welcome address was delivered by the DSEO Dr. (Smt) Wa I Sa Sumer, while the vote of thanks was proposed by Smt.W. Nonghuloo, SDSEO, Amlarem.
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Shillong, September 2: Sankardev College on Wednesday celebrated its Foundation Day-cum-Graduation Day at the college auditorium, marking another milestone in the institution’s journey since its establishment in 1962.
Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, who attended the programme as the chief guest, congratulated the graduating students on successfully completing their academic journey and encouraged them to look beyond government jobs.
He urged the graduates to develop their skills and explore opportunities in entrepreneurship, traditional occupations and emerging fields. The Minister also emphasised the importance of respecting every profession and called upon young people to make the best use of their education and the opportunities available to them.
The programme featured the presentation of citations to 84 graduate and 27 postgraduate students, recognition of technical proficiency, and the felicitation of internship partners and faculty members. Students also presented cultural performances as part of the celebration.
The college magazine Academia was released during the programme. A minor research project undertaken by the Departments of Botany and Environmental Science, focusing on the physico-chemical properties of soil in the Shillong Agglomeration, was also highlighted.
The event showcased the college’s academic and skill-development initiatives, including vocational and professional courses aimed at enhancing students’ employability.
Established on September 2, 1962, Sankardev College currently has around 1,200 students, 70 faculty members and 20 departments. The college is affiliated with North-Eastern Hill University and offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, along with various skill-based courses.
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Shillong, September 1: The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, on Tuesday launched the Action Plan for the Elimination of Dog-Mediated Rabies, a pilot project for the Laban area, at the office of the Deputy Commissioner in Shillong.
The initiative aims to strengthen rabies prevention and control through the enumeration, vaccination and sterilisation of stray dogs, along with post-sterilisation care and measures to promote responsible pet ownership and regulate feeding practices.
Addressing the gathering, Additional Deputy Commissioner F.B. Basan highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts among the district administration, community leaders and residents for the successful implementation of the pilot project.
He said the district administration has set a target to eliminate dog-mediated rabies by 2030. As part of this objective, the pilot project has been launched in the Laban area, and he urged the Rangbah Shnong and community leaders to work together to ensure its successful implementation in their respective localities.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal said that the district records an alarming number of dog-bite cases every year, while many cases also go unreported. He added that fear and concern regarding stray dogs among members of the public is a recurring issue that needs to be addressed.
Baranwal said the district administration had held consultations with NGOs and Rangbah Shnong, whom he described as the backbone of the programme.
He said the project has been launched as a pilot initiative and will subsequently be expanded to other parts of Shillong before being extended to rural areas.
The Deputy Commissioner further said that the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders have been clearly defined, including those of the district administration, the Health Department, the Police Department, other concerned departments and community organisations.
He stressed the importance of responsible pet ownership and said pet owners must take greater responsibility to ensure that their pets do not cause inconvenience or pose a risk to residents, particularly pedestrians and visitors to households where dogs are kept.
The Deputy Commissioner said pet owners would be required to mandatorily register their pets with the respective Rangbah Shnong and maintain proper vaccination records.
The district administration will coordinate with community leaders to schedule vaccination drives for pet dogs. Pet owners will be required to retain valid vaccination certificates, while community leaders will assist in monitoring and maintaining vaccination records.
As part of the pilot project, the administration has commenced the vaccination of stray dogs in the Laban area. The vaccination programme will be completed within a stipulated time frame, following which sterilisation will be undertaken to control the growth of the stray-dog population.
The Community leaders and traditional institutions will identify suitable locations where stray dogs can be fed, while feeding outside the designated zones will be prohibited under the proposed measures.
The initiative is aimed at preventing the spread of rabies, controlling the stray-dog population and ensuring greater responsibility and coordination among pet owners, community leaders, government departments and residents.
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