Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 510/12

REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN HELD

Shillong, November 16, 2012 – Speaking at the Regional Conference on Empowerment of Women which was organized by the National Commission for Women, New Delhi in collaboration with the Meghalaya State Commission for Women and the State Resource Centre for Women, Social Welfare Department, Meghalaya at Hotel Pine Wood, Shillong, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya Dr. Mukul Sangma said that a woman who is economically independent can contribute to the socio – economic transformation in a multi – faceted way.

He also said that it is the responsibility of the state and the policy makers to ensure that an enabling environment for providing equality between men and women and that this responsibility has called for certain actions from both the Union Government and the State Governments to come up with various programmes including enactment of laws which is a reflection of the commitment of the policy makers.

“When analyzed scientifically, we will see that there is no difference between a man’s and a woman’s brain and as such, we are all equally competent and this fact has to be utilized in a way that brings about socio – economic transformation,” said Dr. Sangma.

A woman who is economically independent is not only capable of providing economic stability to her own family but is also capable of creating a chain link in a multi – dimensional way for the much needed socio economic transformation which is part of the obligation of the government and all people who occupy a position of authority,” said Dr. Sangma.

Mamta Sharma, the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women who also spoke at the Conference said, “We are a people of a country which believes in non – violence and in this country, it will not be far off when the word poverty will be erased from the dictionary.”

JA Lyngdoh, Minister in charge of Social Welfare while speaking at the Conference said that holistic development of women cannot be brought about if the department works in isolation and in this regard he sought the cooperation of all stakeholders to uplift the current status of women in the State.

Others who spoke at the Conference were Wansuk Syiem, Member National Commission for Women, Roshan Warjri, Chairperson of Meghalaya State Womens’ Commission, Taining Dkhar, Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya. The Conference witnessed participation from cross sections of the society besides representatives from the other sister states of the North East region. Also present were Shamina Shafiq, Member National Commission for Women, H. Shangpliang Director Social Welfare Department, Government of Meghalaya besides representatives from numerous women centric organizations and a host of government officials and dignitaries.

Press Release No. 511/12

NATIONAL DAY FOR DISASTER REDUCTION OBSERVED

Shillong, November 20, 2012: National Day for Disaster Reduction was observed at the Conference Hall of Deputy Commissioner’s Office, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong on 20th November 2012. The programme was organized by District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Shillong. The programme scheduled for 29th October could not be held due to puja holidays.

Speaking on the occasion as Chief Guest, Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, Mr. Sanjay Goyal informed that various plans and programmes are being taken up by the DDMA to make the people aware of the impending disaster and reduce such disasters in future. He further said that school students are mostly being involved in this programme since they can be source of information to their friends, family and neighbours.

Since Meghalaya is prone to earthquake, training programmes are also being conducted for various groups of people like school students, locality, as well as in the block and village level, he added. Various stakeholders and contractors were also sensitized to construct buildings and bridges and other places meant for human habitation which should provide safety and security to the people, said Mr Goyal.

Moreover, the programme is meant to highlight mitigation of disaster reduction partnering with the District Administration and stakeholders and contractors. Mr Goyal also urge the people of the district to collaborate and make the district a safer place to live in the days to come.

On this occasion, Drawing, Painting and Essay competitions were also organized for school students of the district earlier. The Deputy Commissioner distributed the prizes to the winners of various competitions. “Emerging Trends of Urban Risks in the City and the Challenges ahead with special reference to Earthquake”, was the theme for the essay competition.

The programme was chaired by Shri D M Wahlang, ADM & CEO (DDMA). Others present at the function are Smti I. Majaw, SDMA, Smti K Wanniang, ADPO, Shri N Hajong, EAC, Officers from different departments, teachers and students.

Press Release No. 512/12

WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL MISSION ON FOOD PROCESSING (NMFP) HELD

Shillong, November 20, 2012: The District Commerce and Industries Centre, Jowai, West Jaintia Hills District with the support from the Ministry of food Processing, Government of India on Monday organised a one day workshop on National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP) at the conference hall of the office of the General Manager, DCIC, Jowai.

Speaking at the inaugural function, the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai, P.S Dkhar encourage the participants and entrepreneurs to take full advantage of this scheme implemented by the Government and called upon the participants to interact for better understanding about the Scheme.

M.B Roy, Joint Director of Commerce and Industries, Meghalaya, Shillong in her brief speech informed that the Schemes to be covered under the NMFP are Schemes for Technology Up gradation, setting up, modernization and expansion of food processing industries, Scheme for supporting cold chain, Scheme for Human Resource Development and Scheme for Promotional Activities.

Presentation on Guidelines for implementation of NMFP, Financial Assistance for food processing units and marketing of processed food were discuss during the technical section for the better understanding of the participants.

General Manager, DCIC, Jowai, S. Pasweth gave the welcome address while the Vote of thanks was delivered by A. War, Manager, DCIC, Jowai.

Press Release No. 513/12

INDIAN AIR FORCE RECRUITMENT RALLY AT SHILLONG FROM 22ND NOVEMBER TO 24TH NOVEMBER

Shillong November 20, 2012: Indian Air Force recruitment rally will be held at HQ Eastern Air Command Upper Shillong, Nonglyer Post, Meghalaya, 793009 from 22 November, 2012 to 24 November, 2012 exclusively for eligible male candidates of Meghalaya, Tripura, Assam and Mizoram.

Candidates should have passed intermediate or 10+2 or Equivalent Examination with Mathematics, Physics and English with a minimum of 50 percent marks in aggregate or three years Diploma Course in Engineering (Mechanical or Electrical or Electronics or Automobile or Computer science or Instrumentation Technology or Information Technology) with at least 50 percent marks in overall aggregate from a Government recognized Polytechnic Institute.

The Recruitment test will be conducted from 7 am onwards and candidates reporting up to 10 am at the rally venue will only be permitted to appear in the recruitment test. Written test, physical fitness test (PFT) for group X technical trades will be conducted on 22 November 2012

For more Information contact 11 Airmen Selection Centre, Guwahati Phone No. 0361-2843385, 0361-2842720 EXTN 5333 or E-mail at elevenasc@rediffmail.com. It is in the interest of the state to avail this opportunity to provide gainful employment to the educated and the unemployed youth.

Press Release No. 515/12

INTERACTIVE SESSION HELD TO COMMEMORATE NATIONAL PRESS DAY

Shillong, November 16, 2012: Speaking at the function to commemorate National Press Day through the organising of a panel discussion under the theme ‘Role of media during elections’, the Chief Minister of Meghalaya Dr. Mukul Sangma said that interaction with the media is an indispensable part of our democratic system.

This panel discussion was organised by the Shillong Press Club in collaboration with the Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Government of Meghalaya at the premises of the Shillong Club. The panelists included Mr. RG Lyngdoh, Mr. Samuel Jyrwa, Mr. Sanjib Kakoty, Dr. Sylvanus Lamare and Mr. Anil Anand the General Secretary of the Press Club of India.

Stressing on the importance of the media in a democratic setup, Dr. Sangma said that an alert, vibrant and visible media is crucial to sustainable democracy.

Dr. Sangma also said that the responsibility of the government and the fourth estate is to publicise programmes which are meant for the betterment of the people. In this regard, he said that when people are enlightened, they involve themselves in developmental works and get things done.

MLA and former journalist Manas Chaudhuri who also spoke at the function said that members of the media don’t often get a pat on the back for the service they render towards society. He also cautioned the journalists gathered at the function about the perils of sticking their neck out to make predictions as to the results of elections. In this regard he asked, “If experts in the field of politics can make mistakes, who are we to make predictions about election results?”

Mr. Chaudhuri also highlighted the need for research journalism and said that there is a dire need for this kind of reporting in Meghalaya. He also stressed on the need for the media to generate new ideas and focus on keeping the political class on the right track.

At the function, the Chief Minister also made announcements pertaining to land for the new Shillong Press Club, a rise in the rate of advertisements in daily newspapers and also the constituting of a commission to look into the issue of the recommendations of the Majithia Wage Board.