Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 449/22

NEOG 2022 FELICITATION PROGRAMME HELD

Dr Vijay Kumar D, Commissioner and Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs and CEO North East Olympic Games, 2022 today felicitated the various committees and stakeholders of the recently concluded North East Olympic Games, at a programme held at the Auditorium, State Convention Centre, Shillong.

Dr Vijay Kumar D while delivering the felicitation address, stated that there is a need for such a get together because of what the various committees have done to make the NEOG a success. He informed that it also acts as a platform from where the committees can share their stories and anecdotes and also to learn from their experiences.

While lauding the collective efforts put in by the various committees in the success of the games, he said that Meghalaya has through the North East Olympic Games demonstrated that anything can be achieved when efforts and commitments are put in regardless of the various constraints.

He also informed that a Coffee Book will be published soon documenting the various events of the North East Olympic Games but an intensive documentation of the same will be done by the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner. During the programme various stakeholders who were involved with the NEOG 2022 offered their feedback, experiences and suggestions. Others who spoke included Shri CVD Diengdoh, Additional CEO, NEOG, Smti I Laloo, DC, East Khasi Hills, Shri S Nongtynger, SP, East Khasi Hills, Shri S Awasthi, Director Sports and Youth Affairs among others.

Press Release No. 450/22

CM ADDRESS SEMINAR ON LOOK SOUTH POLICY IN SHILLONG

Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, today, inaugurated the International Inter Disciplinary Seminar on Look South Policy vis a vis Meghalaya, at Synod College, Shillong.

In his inaugural address Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma said that the Look South policy is important for Meghalaya and the country and added that if Act East policy has to be really put in letter and spirit then it cannot be an Act East generic policy. It has to be within the Northeast a very regional based Act East policy, he said. He added that every state in the Northeast has a relative act direction policy. There are basically three zones for economic activity in the North East which have its own challenges and requirements and opportunities, he said.

The Chief Minister also said that there is a need to have a sister state relationships. There is so much we can learn from other states and when we share the best practices and resources with each other the entire structure of the country will be strong, he added. He also mooted for a Presidential Retreat in the North East. Having a Presidential Retreat in the North East would really send a very strong message of national integration, he said.

He also said that North East and West Bengal is just separated from each other by 80 kilometers through Bangladesh and if there is connectivity through Bangladesh it would be a second economic corridor for the entire Northeast cutting down distance and travel time. The entire Northeast and the southern part of Northeast will all be connected to this route. This will be the economic gateway for the Northeast in the long run and this is a huge game changer for us, he added. He further added that such seminars are very important to build up the perception, leadership and trust to move forward. Building up the ecosystem with the right and positive mindset while we look at the challenges and problems we also look at the opportunities is the way forward, he said.

The Chief Minister also informed that the government is examining proposals to put up conveyor belts. We strongly feel that this conveyor belt system will allow us to ensure that the products and the minerals that we send to Bangladesh is going to be properly monitored and we will be able to get the revenues out of it in a much more efficient manner, he said. He further said that there is a huge scope in agriculture by developing a good value chain system and creating an economic interdependence. He also added that there needs to be exchange programs between students and entrepreneurs of Bangladesh and India. It is very important to take entrepreneurs on board as they are the ones who will make things happen, he said.

It may be mentioned here that the seminar will explore from deliberations from resource persons, people working at the grass roots levels, paper presenters on a change in the monetary expansion not only through trade but in other aspects also. The seminar will also examine the impediments and bottlenecks so that trade relations and people to people relations can be improved between the two nations.

Press Release No. 451/22

CHIEF MINISTER INAUGURATES SHILLONG LITERARY FESTIVAL EDITION II

Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, today, inaugurated the 2nd Edition of Shillong Literary Festival, 2022 at Wards Lake, Shillong.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, said that it was the plan to have the festival as an annual calendar event since 2018 to 2019 but due to the COVID it was launched only last year. However it is a huge improvement from the 1st Edition as we move along I hope that this will become one of the best festivals not just in India but globally, he said. He added that the Literary Festival is to celebrate the authors, writers and also to inspire the young budding authors and writers especially the young students to ensure that the habit of reading and the interest into literature grows.

This festival will also allow you to meet different writers, listen to them, and one to one really interact with them and these interactive sessions can leave a very strong memory and a strong impact on your mind, he said. He added that the event would project Shillong as a activity based tourism destination. The policies and programs of the government work towards trying to make Shillong and Meghalaya a high end tourism destination which we feel that we have a huge potential in, he added.

The Chief Minister said that efforts are on to take the State forward with a goal of making the State among the Top 10 States in the coming years. To be able to do that it requires us to do things that are meaningful in different sectors like Sports and Youth Affairs, Tourism, Health, Education, Agriculture, he said. He further said that challenges like urbanization with its inherent problems like traffic, pollution, deforestation, drug menace among the youth, environmental issues are the challenges that the State faces and urged the writers to look at these issues reflect it in their writings so that people of the country and the world will be able to connect to these issues.

Addressing the youth who had attended the festival in large numbers the Chief Minister said the youth is another very important aspect for the government. I am so happy to see so many of the young people here today and this has been done for you. I want to tell you that I strongly believe that you are the greatest strength of this nation and I want to ensure that we give you the opportunity to be able to be shaped in the right manner in Sports, Music or Fashion, he said. He further added that the different programs and festivals are not just events but part of a much bigger plan to take the State forward and allow the youth to engage, shaping them in the right manner.

The three days Literary Festival celebrates literature, culture not only of Meghalaya but diverse cultures and traditions and provides citizens an insight into the rich art forms. It also provides Children and Youth engagement with writers, artists, film makers and eminent personalities. The festival also has numerous bookshops.

Press Release No. 452/22

CM INAUGURATES NAMDONG C AND RD BLOCK IN WJH

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday inaugurated the Namdong C and RD Block in West Jaintia Hills in presence of Urban Affairs Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and MLA Wailadmiki Shylla

Speaking at the inaugural function, the Chief Minister said that the creation of the new block will bring good governance closer to the people. The new C and RD Block will ensure schemes are utilised to the maximum for the development of villages. In line with the aspirations of the people, the new Namdong C and RD Block will open new avenues of progress for the villages and its people, he added.

The Chief Minister said that despite challenges and financial constraints, the State Government has been able to mobilise resources to push development and initiate welfare projects. As a Government, we have initiated projects that were pending for several years. Our Government has accelerated the momentum of growth and development. In the past 4.5 years, the State has witnessed significant improvements in various development indices, he added.

He told the gathering that the block office will start functioning with immediate effect. Administrative reform is important. Block offices can do much more. We are making a move by making amendments in the services that the blocks in the State can provide. With adequate and trained personnel we will introduce various services that are usually done from Sub-Division or DC offices from the block. We will make those reforms for the benefit of the people, he stressed.

During his visit to Namdong, the Chief Minister also inaugurated the Namdong CHC and laid foundation stone for the upgradation of the Jowai Nartiang Kdiap Khanduli road and for the Greater Mukhnang Lumrot Water Supply Scheme. The upgradation of the Jowai Nartiang Kdiap Khanduli road will further connectivity and support the daily commute and economic activities of the people.

The Greater Mukhnang Lumrot Water Supply Scheme envisages in solving the water issues in the area and ensuring supply of potable water for households. Both these projects will be a big blessing to the people