Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 158/23

TABLE TOP EXERCISE HELD

As part of the State Level Mock Exercise on Earthquake Disaster to be held on the 12th October, 2023, the Meghalaya State Disaster Management Authority (MSDMA), Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Government of Meghalaya in collaboration with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India today organized a Table Top Exercise for all stakeholders at State Convention Centre, Shillong. The Table Top Exercise was joined virtually by all the districts of the state.

Shri Sanjay Goyal, Commissioner and Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department in his inaugural address, said that the Table Top Exercise is a precursor to the mock exercise and stressed that the entire exercise is to help in familiarizing all the stakeholders of their roles and duties on the day of the mock drill and also in ensuring the successful conduct of the state level mock drill.

He also emphasized that Meghalaya being a very sensitive and vulnerable region to earthquakes, the prime focus apart from other disasters have always been on preparedness towards the eventuality of any earthquake. He urged the stakeholders to take the entire exercise seriously and to test themselves as to how much the state as a whole is prepared in tackling any such eventuality.

The Table Top Exercise was chaired by Shri Sanjay Goyal, Commissioner and Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department in the presence of Maj. Gen Sudhir Bahl (Retd.), Senior Consultant (ME and IRS), NDMA. During the exercise PPT presentations were presented by MSDMA, DDMA (East Khasi Hills District), PWD (R and B) and NDRF. Various stakeholders and other Districts also shared their suggestions regarding different scenarios.

The aims and objectives of a Mock Exercise are to review the Disaster Management plan and associated SOPs of the State and its districts, as well as individual Disaster Management Plans of each Department, highlight the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders as per Incident Response System (IRS), ensure coordination among all Emergency Support Functions (ESFs), generate public awareness and to identify gaps, if any, in the resources, communications, response capabilities, etc.

Press Release No. 159/23

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY OBSERVED IN SOUTH WEST KHASI HILLS DITSRICT

World Mental Health Day on the theme Mental Health, a Universal Human Right was observed today at Sngap Syiem College, Mawkyrwat. The programme was organized by the office of the District Mental Health Programme, South West Khasi Hills District in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority, South West Khasi Hills District, Sngap Syiem College, Mawkyrwat and Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong. Shri. Renikton Lyngdoh, MLA, Mawkyrwat Constituency attended the programme as the Chief Guest.

The programme was attended by the Deputy Commissioner, South West Khasi Hills District, Mawkyrwat, Shri. T. Lyngwa, IAS, Dr. W.L Narry, Nodal Officer, District Mental Health Programme, South West Khasi Hills District, Dr. K.K. Nongsiej, Principal Sngap Syiem College, Mawkyrwat and Ms. Aliscacia Swett, Deputy Registrar, Martin Luther Christian University, Shillong among others. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest Shri. Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, MLA, Mawkyrwat Constituency said that a good mental health is vital for the overall health and wellbeing of a person. Mental health is more important than physical health, he said by stating that a person should have a health mind to have a healthy body. He encouraged individuals dealing with mental health problems to seek support from their families, relatives, and friends, emphasizing that this support network can provide emotional relief and contribute to finding solutions to lifes challenges and mental health concerns.

Shri. Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, MLA, Mawkyrwat Constituency. emphasized the importance of preventing the stigmatization of individuals facing mental health challenges and instead providing them with the necessary support and assistance. He also informed the gathering that the Government of Meghalaya has approved a Mental Health Policy in the state which aims to promote overall mental health and well-being and facilitate appropriate access and care pathways for common and severe mental health concerns.

Earlier in his speech, the Deputy Commissioner, South West Khasi Hills District, Mawkyrwat, Shri. T. Lyngwa, IAS, urged people to remain resilient in the face of lifes difficulties, hardships, and failures. He stressed on the importance of open communication with family, friends, and relatives about the challenges that individuals encounter in their daily lives, which can help alleviate the pressure they faced.

Speaking on the theme Mental Health is a Universal Human Right, the Chief Legal Aid Defense Counsel, District Legal Services Authority, South West Khasi Hills District, Mawkyrwat, Ms. Nosmi Hahshah said that the theme calls for a collaborative effort of people and community that promote and protect everyones mental health as a universal human right. Having a mental health condition should never be a reason to deprive a person of the human Rights or to be excluded from community life and discriminated against, she said.

Ms. Nosmi Hahshah also spoke about the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, which include the right to access mental healthcare, the right to community living, the right to equality and non-discrimination, the right to information, right to access medical records, the right to confidentiality, right to legal Aid, right to appoint Care takers if needed, etc. aiming at ensuring the rights and well-being of individuals with mental health conditions.