Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 38/11

NATIONAL VOTERS DAY CELEBRATED AT TURA

Shillong, January 28, 2011: Along with the rest of the country, the 1st National Voters’ Day was organized at Tura, West Garo Hills by the office of the Deputy Commissioner (Election) and the District Level Committee, West Garo Hills. 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.

Dr. Milton Sangma, former Pro Vice Chancellor NEHU attended the function as the Chief Guest while Mr. I K Sangma, former State Election Commissioner for Delimitation Commission was the Guest of Honour.

To mark the occasion, a music album sung by local artistes relating to election and patriotism was released by the Chief Guest and mementos and EPIC Cards were 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 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.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Mr. Sanjay Goyal, Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills who delivered a welcome address while Mr. A Ch Marak gave a short awareness talk on the Electoral Registration Rules, 1960. 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.

Press Release No. 39/11

ONE DAY WORKSHOP ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

Shillong, January 28, 2011: A one-day workshop on Rural Development Programmes organized by the Regional Office (MMT), Directorate of Field Publicity was held at the Shillong Club on January 28, 2011. The workshop was inaugurated by the Principal Secretary, Community & Rural Development, Government of Meghalaya, Mr. C D Kynjing and presided over by the Director, C & RD, Mr. F Kharlyngdoh.

The objective of the workshop is to train the field officers on how to impart and disseminate information to the public on various developmental schemes and policy of the State and Central Government.

In his inaugural address, Mr. Kynjing said that the government policy was to educate rural people of India on how to eradicate poverty and to upgrade the standard way of living of the people in terms of health and sanitation. This, he said, will be possible if only the officers and field staff could translate to action the knowledge they receive from the workshop. Stating that various Central and State schemes like NREGS, SGSY, IAY, Old Age Pension, etc., are being implemented in the State of Meghalaya, Mr. Kynjing also stressed that the social audit should be publicized in the interest of the rural masses and to bring about transparency and accountability in the government functionaries.

The resource persons in the day long workshop was Ms. I R Sangma, Officer on Special Duty, C & RD, Government of Meghalaya who delivered a lecture on MGNREGA and Mr. L O Dhar, Assistant Engineer, PHE who spoke at length about the Total Sanitation Campaign and National Rural Drinking Water Mission.