Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 790/07

CM INAUGURATES NEW SCHOOL BUILDING OF ST. JUDE SCHOOL

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr D D Lapang has inaugurated the newly constructed school building of St Jude School at Umpher village, Ri Bhoi District on October 27, 2007 in the presence of the Chairman MEDC, Mr J D Rymbai Deputy CEM, KHADC, Mr W L Mynsong who is also the local MDC of the area, Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, Mr S F Khongwir and the Vicar General Arch Diocese of Shillong, Rev Fr. Hilarius Lamare.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Lapang said that the Catholic Missionaries have contributed enormously towards the growth of education in the State of Meghalaya. He expresses his gratefulness to the Missionaries institution for their dedication and determination to bringing education closer to the people especially in the rural areas and particularly to the poorer section of the society. He said that the presence of these institutions have contributed to the efforts of the State Government in achieving the goals of providing quality education to all.

Dr Lapang urges the parents, teachers and students to work in cooperation with the school management authorities so that the goals of education are achieved. He informed that the State Government is making all efforts to improve the education system in the State.

Among others who spoke on the occasion were the Chairman MEDC, Mr J D Rymbai, Deputy CEM, KHADC, Mr W L Mynsong, Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, Mr S F Khongwir and the Vicar General Arch Diocese of Shillong, Rev Fr. Hilarius Lamare.

Press Release No. 791/07

CM INAUGURATES AAHAR AND TOURISM EXPO

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr D D Lapang today inaugurated the AAHAR and Tourism Expo organized by the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO), New Delhi in collaboration with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India and the Government of Meghalaya at Polo Ground, Shillong in the presence of the Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Mr. S. K. Sahai, Meghalaya Agriculture Minister, Mr. M I Sarkar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Mr. Ajit Kumar and the Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Mr. R Chatterjee.

The AAHAR and Tourism Expo referred to as the twin gifts of autumn is organized with an objective to provide a platform to entrepreneurs, investors and also the farmers where they can interact and obtain knowledge about improving their business opportunities, especially in the field of food processing.

In his inaugural speech, Dr. Lapang said that the State of Meghalaya is blessed with rich natural resources and various ethnic cultures which are unique in all aspects including food. He felt that the Food festival will give a fillip to the food processing industry in the State which is still in an infancy stage. Besides being a platform for the farmers and entrepreneurs of the State, it is also an eye opener to a much wider world of global marketing of their products, he added. He also said that the Fair would also expose the farmers to the process of value addition of their produce which is the most important aspect of promoting their products.

Dr. Lapang urges upon the Ministry of Food Processing Industries to extend their support in promoting the rich potential that the State has in the food and other allied sectors. He expresses his gratitude to the Ministry for organizing the Fair in Shillong and hope that the Ministry would continue in its efforts to promote the State in the food and allied sector.

Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Mr. S. K. Sahai in his presidential address said that his Ministry is making all effort to bring together the investors and processors to one table, where middlemen cannot take advantage of the farmers and the processors. He said that a large amount of food is wasted annually due to the inavailability of better food processing facilities and in the process only 2p.c. of the food is processed. He informed that in other countries of the world 80p.c. of the food product is processed and has minimize the wastage of food products especially perishable produce. He said that the implementation of the post harvest management and value addition has reduced the waste of food products.

Among others who spoke on the occasion were Meghalaya Agriculture Minister, Mr. M I Sarkar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Mr. Ajit Kumar, Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Mr. R Chatterjee and Executive Director, ITPO, Mr. R Yadav.

It may be mentioned that for the general public who wish to visit the AAHAR and Tourism Expo, dedicated buses have been arranged in different location around the city with effect from October 30, 2007 from 10. 00 am onwards. The buses will be stationed at State Central Library, Fire Brigade Ground, Don Bosco Square and Police Bazar.