Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 197/23

MEGA EX SERVICEMEN RALLY CONDUCTED

A Mega Ex Servicemen (ESM) Rally was organised by Headquarters 101 Area , Indian Army and Rajya Sainik Board, Meghalaya at 58 Gorkha Training Center, Happy Valley Shillong on 24 November 2023.The rally was attended by hundreds of Ex Servicemen, Veer Naris, World War II veterans and children hailing from Meghalaya.The Ex-servicemen Rally is conducted every year in Shillong. The rally was specially aimed at ex-servicemen, war veterans, disabled soldiers and war widows to express solidarity and demonstrate that they remain inseparable members of the Armed Forces fraternity even post retirement. Shri Rakkam A Sangma the GAD Minister was the Chief Guest for the event. Senior officers from the Armed Forces and other civil dignitaries also attended the rally. This included Lieutenant General Sanjay Malik, General Officer Commanding 101 Area, Shri CVD Diengdoh, IAS, Secretary GAD, Smt RM Kurbah, IAS, Deputy Commissioner East Khasi Hills District.

In his address , Shri Rakkam A Sangma thanked the veterans and their familes for the services that they have renderd and hoped that they will continue to contribute to the society with the same vbran vigour .

During the rally a one time grant of Rupees One lakh from Meghalaya Chief Minister’s Special Grant was presented to six World War II Veterans/Veer Naris . In addition, ten gifts to Veer Naris and sixty gifts to ESMs were also presented. A number of stalls from various welfare agencies and organisations of the Army were set up at the venue with a focus to resolve pension and entitlement related problems being faced by the Veterans.Stalls of the CM Elevate and Prime initiatives of the State Government were also set up .These projects have been started by the CM of Meghalya with a view for identifying and nurturing Start-ups and boost entrepreneurship in the State of Meghalaya. These have the potential to absorb many skilled service personnel who retire at an early age .This would not only contribute to the economic development of the state but also provide for financial elevation of the Ex Service Men involved. In a befitting gesture, the State government has increased in financial assistance to the Gallantry Awardees. A Mobile Poly Clinic at Tura has been made operational which will go a long way in the provision of medical assistance to the people of the region.

A medical camp, fully staffed with Specialist Doctors and medicines, was also set up to address immediate health issues.In addition, important policy letters received regarding various financial schemes will be percolated including action taken during last one year by Zilla Sainik Welfare Organisation, Shillong and Tura towards the welfare of ESM. The rally provided an interactive platform and mitigated issues related to pension, medical, healthcare, re-employment and redressal of grievances.

Press Release No. 198/23

TRI HILLS FESTIVAL INAUGURATED

The Inaugural function of the Tri Hills festival held on the 24th of November 2023 at the Soso Tham Auditorium started off on the right foot with Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma commending the Arts and Culture department for their tireless efforts in promoting the unique culture of the Khasi, Jaintia and the Garo people of the state of Meghalaya along with its intricate components through the program.

In speaking on the importance of the Tri Hills Festival, Sangma said, As a society, it is important that we remember our roots and our identity this should be inculcated and imbibed especially to our youth and coming generations as we are living in a world which is seamlessly connected globally through various advancements in technology and we might lose sight of who we are and where we come from. Hence, through initiatives like these, our government is trying to bridge the gap and remind us of our origins, practices and beliefs. He further emphasized on the importance of documentation through various mediums whether it be print or other forms of electronic media so as to differentiates who we are from the rest of the world and it is important that we celebrate through initiative like the Tri Hills Ensemble to preserve and promote the richness of the cultures of our state. He further lends his support to the youth who would take up steps in the documentation process mentioned.

Commenting on the growth of the initiative, Sangma said,” I Congratulate the Arts and Culture Department for having successfully for the second time organised this Tri Hills Ensemble and from the looks of it, I can definitely see that it has grown and become much grander that what it was before and also understood that we have learnt a lot from the first event on the previous year and have made tremendous improvements.”

On speaking on the steps that the government has taken for promotion of the different aspects of Art and Culture of the State, “As a Government we came to the understanding that the different ministries and portfolios are closely connected to each other and have made sure that there is a convergence of various departments with a larger goal in mind. Hence, we have specifically made a conscious decision that the Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Textile portfolio should be held by one minister as they are closely interlinked since they project our unique culture as well identity and this in turn will merge with the overall strategy to promote Tourism.”

Also sharing his views in his keynote speech, Minister of Arts and Culture, Tourism and Textiles, Shri Paul Lyngdoh quoted John Keats: "Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter.” as he emphasizes that there in no end to learning when it comes to Arts and Culture. He said that there are three major themes for the Tri Hills Ensemble which is Culture, Cuisine and Crafts.

In sharing Paul Lyndoh’s concluding remarks he added that it takes focus and grit to be recognized as a people consisting of the Khasi, Jaintia and people despite Meghalaya being in the most populous country. He further said that we as a state with and area of just about 23,000 Square Kilometers are in the hope to spread our culture and its components to the rest of the world just like how Bob Marley has spread the influence of Reggae music from a small nation of Jamaica.

Press Release No. 199/23

MAWKDOK HEALTH AND WELLNESS SUB CENTRE INAUGURATED

The Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh today inaugurated the new building of the Mawkdok Sub Centre Health and Wellness Centre in the presence of Shri Gavin M Mylliem, MLA of Sohra Constituency.

Addressing the gathering Dr Ampareen Lyngdoh said that the Government is committed to work for the betterment of the villagers and the government has set up small health centres to look after a small population. The government has also empowered the Dorbar Shnong to look after these health centres. She also said that the government aims to improve the overall health system delivery in all the seven thousand and six villages of the state. During the Covid19 pandemic the villages have shown their capability to cater the challenges in health sector especially in their own villages, she added. She also informed that the government has decided that all the Sub Centres will be looked after by the village administration. The minister further urged the Villagers to come forward to link their MHIS with their Aadhaar to avail all the benefits of the Schemes.

The newly inaugurated building was designed according to the Indian Health Service (IHS) standards Type B model, well equipped for conducting deliveries at the sub centre level. The Sub Centre also has a labor room and  a dedicated newborn care corner. Mawkdok Sub Centre not only serves as a hub for essential healthcare but also supports the National Health Mission’s Programme.