Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 13/10

REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATED IN THE STATE

Along with the rest of the country, Meghalaya too celebrated its 60th Anniversary of Republic Day with much pomp and gaiety in all its District Headquarters, Civil Sub-Divisions and Administrative Units of the State.

At Shillong, the Governor of Meghalaya, Mr. R. S Mooshahary unfurled the National Flag at Polo Grounds and took the salute at an impressive march past of nine contingents which included State Police, Assam Regiment, BSF, CRPF, Home Guards, NCC boys and girls, Scouts and Guides.

Speaking on the occasion, the Governor remembered with reverence the patriots of the State - U Tirot Sing, U Kiang Nongbah and Pa Togan N. Sangma who made supreme sacrifices for the country. He also highlighted the growth of various sectors of the State such as Agriculture, Horticulture, Transport, Tourism and Health Services besides others while acknowledging the efforts of various departments such as the Community and Rural Development Department, the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, Information and Communication Technology and many more.

Other highlights of the day included distribution of the Meghalaya Day Awards where Ailad Kharngapkynta received the U Kiang Nongbah Award for Sports, Bikromjit A Sangma the U Tirot Sing Award for Arts and Literature and Smti. Bluebell W. Marbaniang the Pa Togan N. Sangma Award for Social Service. Tableaux by government departments and NGOs were also presented on the occasion wherein the first prize was bagged by ‘Pla iew’ carrying a message on environmental awareness. The second and third place went to Tourism and Agriculture Department respectively.

At Tura, the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul M. Sangma hoisted the tricolor at MP stadium, Tura and took the Rashtriya salute followed by an inspection of the parade contingents which included paramilitary forces, state police, Bharat scouts and guides and schools students.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mukul Sangma, stressed on the implementation of various developmental schemes initiated by the State Government under the support of the Central Government for the upliftment of the rural as well as the urban populace. Stressing on the need for the existence of a peaceful environment for successful developmental initiatives, he discouraged groups from resorting to violence and bandh, saying such forms of agitation were detrimental to the development of the state and appealed to the youth to shun such activities and come forward in building a strong and prosperous Meghalaya.

Other highlights of the day included prize distribution for the best tableaux, sports for children and final match of the Captain Sangma memorial running trophy and tennis ball cricket tournament.

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Press Release No. 14/10

44 SETS OF AGRO-SERVICE MACHINERIES DISTRIBUTED TO FARMERS AT AMPATI

In a continued effort to boost agricultural productivity and encourage multiple cropping in the region, agro-service machineries, including power-tillers, water pumps, SRI markers, etc were distributed to 44 beneficiaries of Betasing and Zikzak blocks under Ampati Sub-Division by the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma at an impressive function held at Ampati Mini-Stadium on January 25, 2010.

The distribution was funded by District Rural Development Agency under RSVY scheme and facilitated by the Agriculture Department through Agro-Service Centres run by a group of farmers who form the joint liability groups. These agro-service machineries also help the farmers to generate income by way of lending the farming equipments to other farmers who require their services

Addressing the gathering, particularly the farmers on the occasion, Dr. Sangma said such schemes were being initiated to uplift the standard of the farming community by enabling them to incorporate new technologies in their agriculture practices and raise the agricultural productivity. So far, Rs. 1.89 lakhs have been spent under this scheme for distribution of these machineries, he added. He urged the beneficiaries to utilize the equipments properly and not to misuse them. He also informed that a training-cum-multi-utility centre is being set up at Zikzak to train farmers on Technology Mission being implemented in the District, and added that the priority of the Government as of now was to ‘technologise’ agriculture in the region.

West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Sanjay Goyal, who chaired the function, said that there was immense agricultural potential in the District. He expressed hope that through the distribution of these machines, production will increase in the region. He urged the farmers to take up System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method, which can give better yield than the traditional method, adding that through SRI method production per hectare will increase to the optimum.

Among others who were present at the function were the Project Director, DRDA, Tura, Mrs. F C A Sangma, SDO Civil, Ampati, Mr. Abhishek Bhagotia, District Agriculture Officer, Mrs. B R Marak, Sub Divisional Agricultural Officer, Mrs. M Ch Marak, EAC, Ampati, Mr. W D Sangma and other District and Sub-Divisional Officers and farmers.