Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 763/05

NATIONAL PRESS DAY OBSERVED

Along with the rest of the press fraternity of the country, the National Press Day was also observed here today in the state capital in a befitting manner at Shillong Press Club, Shillong which was organized jointly by the Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Meghalaya and the Shillong Press Club.

Speaking on the occasion as the Chief Guest, Meghalaya Minister for Information & Public Relations, Mr. Sayeedullah Nongrum said that at the present scenario, both print and electronic media has an important role to play in building up a better society by ways of proper and factual dissemination of news and information. Stating that the press has a major part in influencing and generating public opinion, he urged the media persons to bring out information and news which would build up the society and the state. He further added that the press should avoid sensationalization and should work in close cooperation with the government so that a healthy environment could be created to promote development, taking into account the welfare and betterment of the society and the state as a whole.

Later on the day, a debate was held to mark the occasion which was chaired over by Mr. R.G. Lyngdoh, MLA and Chairman, Meghalaya Economic Development Council on the theme “Media Ethics-Fetters or Freedom”. The debate was taken part by prominent citizen and presspersons of the city.

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize in the debate was bagged by Mr. B. Lanong, MDC, KHADC and Proprietor of U Lum Shyllong, Bidhayak Das, Correspondent, The Telegraph and Dr. A.S. Guha, Regional Director, IGNOU respectively.

The function was presided over by Mr. D. Laitphlang, President, Shillong Press Club and the Vote of Thanks was proposed by Mr. R. Nongkhlaw, Public Relations Officer, Information & Public Relations, Government of Meghalaya.

Press Release No. 764/05

PEARL JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF THE MEGHALAYA HOUSE KOLKATA INAUGURATED

The Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr. D.D.Lapang today inaugurated the Pearl Jubilee Celebration of the Meghalaya House, Kolkata at 9&10 Russel Street, Kolkata. The celebration which will be of three days duration will include exhibition and display, among other things the developmental projects of different Departments drawn from the state of Meghalaya and Assam.

Speaking in the inaugural function as the Chief Guest, Dr. Lapang lauded the effort of the Officers and staff of the Meghalaya House, Kolkata for their untiring effort in commemorating this historic day in the annual of the Meghalaya House, Kolkata. He said that thirty years has been a very long journey and added that the Meghalaya House had gone through many ups and downs in its services to the people of the state. Pointing out that Meghalayans are very much attached to Kolkata, he urged the people of Kolkata to support and help the Meghalayans staying in Kolkata. Dr. Lapang also urged upon the students from Meghalaya studying in Kolkata to be the Ambassadors of peace and harmony so that people from outside the state will have a positive perspective of the state.

Dr. Lapang also called upon the people of Kolkata to guide and help the people and the students of Meghalaya who reside in Kolkata and lastly, Dr. Lapang thanked the West Bengal Government for the support rendered and extended by it to the people of Meghalaya during the last thirty years.

Others who spoke on the occasion includes Mr Aldous Mawlong, Director, Information and Public Relations, Mr B. Lyngdoh, Trade Adviser and Director of Movements, Meghalaya House Kolkata and Mr Nawar Joshi, a prominent social worker of Kolkata.

The other highlights of the day included songs presented by the Meghalaya Students Association of Kolkata and dance numbers by Ambika Dance Troupe from Sonarpur in South 2-Parganas district, West Bengal.