Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 1174/17

NATIONAL INTEGRATION WEEK OBSERVED

Quami Ekta Week (National Integration Week) was observed today with the National Integration Pledge administered by Deputy Chief Minister, Dr R C Laloo at Secretariat, Shillong. With a view to foster and reinforce the spirit of Communal Harmony, National Integration and pride in vibrant, composite culture and nationhood, the “Qaumi Ekta Week” (National Integration Week) will be observed all over the country, from the 19th to 25th November, 2017. Week long programmes will be observed during the Qaumi Ekta Week. November 19, 2017 was observed as National Integration Day and programmes like meetings, symposia and seminars was organized to emphasize the themes of secularism, anti-communalism and non-violence. Deputy Chief Minister, Dr R C Laloo on the occasion administered the National Integration Pledge to work with dedication to preserve and strengthen the freedom and integrity of the nation, to never resort to violence and to continue to endeavour towards settlement of all differences and disputes relating to religion, language, region or other political or economic grievances by peaceful and constitutional means. Also present was Chief Secretary, T Tsering and other senior officers during the pledge taking.

Press Release No. 1175/17

WINTER BEATS 101

As part of the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP), the Office of the District Election Officer, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong in collaboration with RECREATION will be organizing WINTER BEATS 101 at NEHU Campus, Convocation Hall on 16th December, 2017. For stalls and other information call: 8794255178 / 7640828564.

Press Release No. 1178/17

ALL INDIA COOPERATIVE WEEK CELEBRATION CONCLUDES AT WILLIAMNAGAR

The 64th All India Cooperative Week Celebrations in Meghalaya with the theme, “Empowering People Through Digitalization of Cooperatives” concluded today at Williamnagar Government College Playground, Williamnagar with School Education and Literacy Minister, Deborah C Marak as the Chief Guest. Closing the week-long celebrations, the Minister urged the women-folk to strengthen their cooperative societies by way of convergence. She also spoke at length about ways and means of nurturing the cooperative societies and stressed on the need to improve the rural banking facilities in order to facilitate rural people and their cooperative societies. Dwelling on the theme, she also highlighted how “Amul” an Indian dairy cooperative based at Anand in Gujarat has come into being from a humble beginning with its founder Verghese Kurien. Denang T Sangma, former Chief Executive Member of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), urged the people to avail the opportunities being provided by the Govt. under the cooperation department for uplifting the economy and the standard of living of their own. East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Kumar, in his address said that cooperatives bring people together for uplifting the standard of living. He also said that are inherent reasons for failure and success of cooperative societies and urged the officials of the Cooperation Department to go for in-depth studies in order to strengthen the Integrated Village Cooperative Societies. Others who spoke on the occasion included Daniel J. Ingty, Director, Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA), Garo Hills region, AC Lyngdoh, Area Manager, Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank (MCAB), Tura and Mingseng Marak, Secretary of Mendal Service Cooperative Society. Earlier in the function, the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Dr. BDR Tiwari, delivered the welcome address and spoke at length dwelling on the cooperative movement in India. The closing ceremony-cum-mini exhibition, had witnessed the participation of many entrepreneurs from all the districts of Garo Hills. The celebration of the week was inaugurated at Sajer Hall in Nongpoh, Ri-Bhoi District on 14th November, 2017.

Press Release No. 1180/17

CM ADMINISTERS NATIONAL INTEGRATION PLEDGE AT TURA

The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr. Mukul M Sangma administered the Pledge for National Integration today at DRDA Conference Hall, West Garo Hills,Tura in the presence of Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Zenith Sangma, North Tura MLA, Noverfield R Marak, G Arengh, Deputy Chairman, State Planning Board, S G Momin, President Nokma Council Tura, Heads of departments of the district and staff of Deputy Commissioner’s Office. It may be mentioned that the National Integration Day 2017, which marks the 100th Birth Anniversary of our Late Prime Minister Smti Indira Gandhi, which also marks the inaugural of the week long programme for the observance of Quami Ekta Week which will be observed all over the country from 19th to 25th November, 2017. Addressing the gathering before administering the pledge, Dr. Mukul Sangma fondly recalled the great visionary leader and Prime Minister of India Late Indira Gandhi whose birth anniversary is observed as National Integration Day or Quami Ekta Divas, in line with her ideals of unity, love and understanding among all countrymen. He also recalled how the great leader was instrumental in the creation of the state of Meghalaya from erstwhile state of Assam inspite of various challenges faced by the leaders during those times. The Chief Minister further called the citizens to re-inforce the spirit of communal harmony and re-affirm and reconnect with the sense of belongingness of the great nation. He also urged upon all government servants serving in various departments in different capacities to discharge their duties and responsibilities and serve the people selflessly. Dr. Mukul Sangma while leading the gathering in the National Integration Pledge solemnly assures to work with dedication to preserve and strengthen the freedom and integrity of the nation and affirm never to resort to violence and to continue to endeavour towards settlement of all differences and disputes relating to religion, language region or other political or economic grievances by peaceful and constitutional means.

Press Release No. 1181/17

10TH ANNIVERSARY OF MAIRANG PRESBYTERIAN SCIENCE COLLEGE

“Science has become an important part of our day today lives” said Shri. Vincent H Pala, Member of Parliament today at the closing ceremony of the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Mairang Presbyterian Science College, Mairang. Speaking on the occasion, after releasing the 10th Anniversary Souvenir of the College, Pala lauded the farsightedness of the founders of Mairang Presbyterian Science College by setting up the exclusive college dedicated to science education which is crucial in promoting science and technology education in the State particularly in generating manpower for the growth and development of the state. He said students who take up science stream are more advanced and have a great advantage especially now in this world where there is constant growth in technology. Pala wished that the knowledge imparted by this college to its students should not end only within the boundaries of Mairang, but through its past pupils, it should spread across the state in particular and the country as a whole. The two weeks long celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Mairang Presbyterian Science College, Mairangwhich started on the 3rd November 2017 concluded today the 20th November 2017 with a function held in the college campus in which Member of Parliament, (LokSabha) Shri. Vincent H Pala was the chief guest in the presence of Shri EL Nongrang, MDC, Mairang Constituency, Shri R Thangkhiew, Founder, Principal, Tbn. T Rani, Moderator, Mairang Presbytery among others. It may be mentioned that Mairang Presbyterian Science College which was established in 2006 is the only Science College in West Khasi Hills District and interestingly it is also the only College in the State which is devoted exclusively to the teaching of Science and Mathematics. The College is provisionally affiliated to the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) while its Higher Secondary Section is under the Meghalaya Board of School Education. The College was established with the main objective to provide access to higher education in Science and Mathematics particularly to the majority of the economically disadvantaged rural students who could not afford to pursue higher studies in Science in Shillong or other places outside the District. Other highlights of the day were the dance performances and a song by the students of the college. The closing ceremony concluded with the distribution of certificates and prizes to winners of different competitions and finally the lowering of the Platinum Jubilee Flag by Shri. Vincent H Pala.