Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 30/11

SBI OPENS BRANCH IN GAMBEGRE

Shillong, January 25, 2011: Gambegre, the only C & RD Block of West Garo Hills without any banking facilities, was finally put on the financial inclusion map on January 24, 2011 with the opening of a branch of the State Bank of India near the premises of the office of the Block Development Officer. The Branch was inaugurated by the Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul M Sangma in the presence of Mr. Saleng A Sangma, Parliamentary Secretary and other dignitaries.

The new branch signifies potential economic growth and empowerment for the people of the region who basically earn their livelihood through agricultural and allied activities. For the people of the region who otherwise have to travel all the way to Dobasipara in Tura or Garobada for their basic banking needs, the opening of a branch of the SBI in their own backyard is a boon.

While addressing the gathering, Dr. Sangma said that the opening of the branch in Gambegre was a great accomplishment because now all the C & RD Blocks in Garo Hills had a bank of its own. The Chief Minister who expressed happiness with the development however lamented that the people of the region were yet to grasp the habit of banking, savings, deposits etc and benefit from banking institutions. Dr. Sangma said that we have to inculcate the habit of savings and this effort has to be jointly endeavoured both by the Government and the Bank. He also insisted concerned banks to identify products, do aggressive campaigning and interact with people before going ahead with their expansion plans to uncovered areas.

The Chief Minister, while urging the people of the region to be true in their intentions while doing transactions with the bank said that the government has paid bank unpaid loans of defaulters amounting to 12 crores so that the people can benefit from various schemes allotted by the State and the Central Government. He further added that the banks were trying their best to help the people of the region and making banking simpler by incorporating latest technologies like mobile banking.

Mr. Sanjay Goyal, Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills who chaired the inaugural function said that this is the first time Gambegre Block will be financially included and the people of this Block can avail themselves of Banking services. Mr. Goyal spoke at length on the need for adequate banking facilities for disbursement of funds and schemes by the government to beneficiaries.

Among others present at the function were Mr. A Ch Marak, Project Director DRDA, Tura, Mrs. A V D Shira, BDO, Gambegre, Mr. Dalton P Marak, Superintendent of Police, Tura, Mr. P Barman, AGM, Regional Office, Shillong and Mr. K Das, AGM, Regional Office, Tura.

Press Release No. 31/11

FREE CONVEYANCE FOR REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATION

Shillong, January 25, 2011: The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District has informed that the District Administration has arranged free conveyance for the public who wish to attend the Republic Day celebration to be held on January 26, 2011 at J N Complex Stadium, Polo Ground, Shillong. The buses will ply through the routes mentioned below on the said date from 7:00 AM onwards.

From Mawlai Mawiong via District Council point via Military Hospital via Civil Hospital via IGP to J N Complex Stadium, Polo Ground, Shillong, from Mawblei via Nongthymmai via Fire Brigade via Dhankheti via IGP to J N Complex Stadium, Polo Ground, Shillong. One bus will ply from Upper Shillong 7th Mile via 3rd Mile via IGP to J N Complex Stadium, Polo Ground, Shillong, one bus from Lapang via Rynjah via Laitumkhrah Police point via IGP to J N Complex Stadium, Polo Ground, Shillong and one from Nongmynsong via Pynthorbah via Golf-links to J N Complex Stadium, Polo Ground, Shillong.

Press Release No. 32/11

YEAR LONG DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF ELECTION COMMISSION CONCLUDED

Shillong, January 25, 2011: The year long Diamond Jubilee Celebration of the Election Commission of India on the theme “Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy” culminated today, January 25, 2011 with the celebration of the 1st National Voters’ Day as declared by the Election Commission of India.

In Shillong, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer organized “A Run for Democrary” where hundreds of participants took part. The Prizes to the winners were distributed by the Chief Secretary, Government of Meghalaya, Mr. W M S Pariat who was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

In the 18-40 years and above 40 years Men’s category, Jomsingstar Ramsiej and Phain K Jahrin bagged the 1st prize, Ribingstar Syiemlieh and Hector Marbaniang 2nd prize and Julius Marbaniang and Hiamdor Rapsang 3rd prize. In the Women’s category, the winners are Lymdaskhemshisha Marwein and Christilian Synrem who bagged the 1st prize, Bansharailang Ramsiej and Pleaseme the 2nd prize and Shabarida Kharjahrin and Gracedalyne Lyngdoh 3rd prize. The winners took away cash prizes of Rs. 25,000/-. Rs. 15,000/- and Rs. 10,000/- respectively.

Press Release No. 33/11

ROKO CANCER CHARITABLE TRUST TO CONDUCT AWARENESS AND DETECTION CAMP

Shillong, January 25, 2011: The Roko Cancer Charitable Trust Shillong will be conducting an Awareness and Detection Camp for Cancer at Civil Hospital on January 27, 2011 and at Ganesh Das Hospital on January 28, 2011. This was informed by the Director Roko Cancer Charitable Trust.

Interested persons can register themselves from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the above mentioned hospitals on the said dates.

Press Release No. 34/11

ALL INDIA COMMON ENTRANCE EXAMINATION FOR ADMISSION TO VETERINARY COLLEGES

Shillong, January 25, 2011: The Veterinary Council of India invites application for Entrance Examination from Indian Nationals for filling up 15 Percent of total number of seats in different colleges for admission to 1st year BVSc & AH Course for the session 2010-11. Candidates should be HSSLC passed or its equivalent obtaining not less than 50 Percent aggregate in Physics, Chemistry & Biology and English for General Category and 10 Percent less than the prescribed for General Category for SC/ST and other special category.

Bulletin of information and application form can be obtained upto 15th February 15, 2011 by post from the office of the Veterinary Council of India, ‘A’ Wing 2nd Floor, August Kranti Bhawan, Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-110066 on payment of Rs. 850/- for General category and Rs. 450/- for SC/ST category through Demand Draft drawn in favour of Veterinary Council of India-Examination Fund payable at New Delhi or by hand on production of the Demand Draft of Rs. 800/- in case of General and Rs. 400/- for SC/ST.

Information Bulletin and application form can also be obtained by hand from Vijaya Bank, PB No. 18 GS Road, Shillong-793001 against cash payment of Rs. 800/- for General and Rs. 400/- for SC/ST upto February 15, 2011. Last date of receipt of application form by the Veterinary Council of India, New Delhi is March 9, 2011.

Detailed information is also available on the website of the Council at www.vci-india.in and also from the office of the Registrar, Meghalaya State Veterinary Council, Garikhana, Shillong.

Press Release No. 35/11

NATIONAL VOTERS DAY CELEBRATED

Shillong, January 25, 2011: Along with the rest of the country, the 1st National Voters’ Day was today organized at Tura and Jowai by the respective Deputy Commissioner’s office. The National Voters’ Day celebration coincides with the culmination of the year long Diamond Jubilee Celebration of Election Commission of India, under whose directive the day is being celebrated.

The theme of the day’s celebration “Proud to be a voter, ready to vote” has been aptly put as National Voters’ Day as a means to disseminate among the populace the importance of voting and taking part in the election process for the promotion of Democracy thereby striving to achieve greater excellence in governance.

At Tura, the day was marked with the release of a music album relating to elections and patriotism by Dr. Milton Sangma, former Pro Vice Chancellor NEHU who was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Mementos and EPIC Cards were also distributed to newly registered voters. A memento was also given to Mr. Tangnon Sangma of Bikongre village under 46-Phulbari constituency to felicitate him for being the oldest voter (103) alive in the District.

Dr. Milton Sangma, while addressing the gathering, shed some light on the importance of voting for the existence of Democracy in a democratic country such as India. He also elaborated on the evolution of the Election Commission of India to its present state.

Stressing on the importance of error free electoral rolls, Guest of Honour, Mr. I K Sangma, former State Election Commissioner for Delimitation Commission urged upon concerned officials of the District to strive for free and peaceful electoral process. He also dwelled on the importance of voting and said that it was imperative that the younger generation grasp the significance of voting in the democratic process.

Mr. Sanjay Goyal, Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills also spoke on the occasion. Other highlights of the day were a group singing competition, exhibition of rule books relating to the election process, election slogans, ballot boxes and a food festival.

At Jowai, the State Chief Information Commissioner, Mr. G P Wahlang who was the Chief Guest, emphasized that most of the people in the rural areas understand that democracy is only during election. However, he stressed that democracy should be a continued process to achieve the best result in the administration. The Deputy Commissioner, Jaintia Hills District, Mr. T Dkhar in his introductory speech, highlighted on the programmes that were held in the year 2010 in commemoration of the Diamond Jubilee celebration of the Election Commission of India. The theme “Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy” was to motivate and encourage the young group of voters to strive for free and fair elections, he said. Cash prizes were awarded to the winners of the different competition conducted last year. The oldest and new voters were also felicitated on the day followed by a short play “Yoowan 2013” presented by Nangroi Youth Vision Society, Jowai. The function concluded with the Voters’ Pledge administered by Mr. S S Syiemlieh, Extra Assistant Commissioner.