Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 522/10

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO VAS, NGOS, SHGS

Shillong, November 12, 2010: The Deputy Commissioner, Jaintia Hills District, Jowai invites application from Voluntary Agencies (VAs), Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs) for consideration of providing financial assistance from the Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) of the Planning Department, Government of Meghalaya during 2990-10.

Assistance under this scheme shall include only short term training, short term seminars and workshops. Financial assistance to be sanctioned to the individual VAs, NGOs, SHGs will depend on the merit and nature of the scheme. The formats and application forms for submission of proposals can be obtained from the office of the District Planning Officer, Jowai.

Interested VAs, NGOs are to submit their proposal along with the details of the schemes and relevant documents to the Office of the District Planning Officer, Jaintia Hills District, Jowai not later than 30th November, 2010.

Press Release No. 523/10

FELICITATION PROGRAMME TO COMMEMORATE THE 100TH BIRTHDAY OF MISS SILVERINE SWER

Shillong, 12 November, 2010: A felicitation programme to commemorate the 100th Birthday of Kong Silverine Swer was held today at the Raj Bhavan among high dignitaries which includes his Excellency Shri. R. S. Mooshahary, Governor of Meghalaya, Lady Governor, Mrs. Mooshahary, , his Excellency General J. J. Singh, Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri Ashok Mehta, Shri. A. H Scott Lyngdoh, former MLA Jaiaw Constituency, Shri Charles Pyngrope, Speaker of Meghalaya and many others dignitaries, eminent women of the state were present in the occasion.

Kong Silverine Swer born on November 12, 1910 has lived through history and was also a part of the Second World War, though personally she has been an ardent supporter of peace conservation and preservation of nature. Her career spam from a teacher, an advisor, then assistant controller during the Second World War have without a doubt touched the life of many who have encountered her in a very special way. Kong Silverine Swer has also achieved many awards which includes National awards as well.

Besides presentation of gifts a cake cutting ceremony was also carried out.

In a bid to fulfill her wishes to preserve the environment she initiated the Meghalaya State Water Foundation under the management of Shri. Phrang Roy. The Meghalaya State Water Foundation functions under the following preamble:

Water is a finite, vulnerable but essential resource to sustain life. Our water bodies naturally stored in our basins and watersheds has ensured our local food security, local farming systems and our heritage as stewards of our beautiful landscapes. Our chief source of water is rainfall which regulates our health, well being and climate change. Access to clean, secure and fair water is therefore an inalienable right if all that must be conserved and sustain and harvested at all times to provide need-base, economic, ecological development (NEED). In promoting the sustainable use of water by all, the Meghalaya Water Foundation will always oppose any attempt to “commodify” this source of life and any initiative that has no free, prior and informed consent of the people especially women.

Press Release No. 525/10

CM LAY BASE OF ICFAI UNIVERSITY AT TURA

TURA, November 12: Meghalaya’s state capital Shillong, labeled as the ‘Scotland of the east’ for ages has been known as the educational hub in the North East India. Meghalaya government realizing the importance of education sector has decided to promote investment in the education sector and three new private Universities have been granted permission to set up their base in the state. Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma today laid the foundation stone of ICFAI University at Tura in West Garo Hills, marking the beginning of this initiative.

North East, which is often projected as landlocked and a region which has not much potential for development and investment to boost to its fold is now gaining limelight as investors are now coming to North East India. The hill state of Meghalaya is proud to have the foundation laid for a 20 Crore self financing private University in Tura, the educational and business hub of Garo Hills region. The foundation of ICFAI University Meghalaya was laid by Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma in presence of theVice Chancellor of the University Mr Y K Bhusan and Pro Vice Chancellor Dr. Milton Sangma.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mukul Sangma said that emphasis is being accorded by the government to tap the potentiality in the education sector. Dr. Sangma observed that Meghalaya has the atmosphere and a reputation of being the educational hub for ages and a pool of youth resources.

The CM said that the state government is making every effort to create a conducive atmosphere. for investment. He also observed that development must spread to all parts of the state and not just remained confined to the state capital.

The Vice Chancellor of the University Y K Bhushan stressed the importance that North East is full of potential and there was a need to set up institution to provide employment oriented programmes. He informed that ICFAI is in touch with various educational institutions, including American Universities to tap the opportunities in education sector.

The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India also known as ICFAI was established in Meghalaya under the provision of an Act in 2005. The University believes in creating and disseminating knowledge and skills in core and frontier areas through innovative educational programs, research, consulting and publishing, and developing a new cadre of professionals with a high level of competence and deep sense of ethics and commitment to the code of professional conduct.

A number of educational programs are offered in management and science & technology at bachelor's and master's levels at the university.