Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 594/16

NOTIFICATION

The Government of Meghalaya has designated the District Council Affairs Department, Meghalaya Civil Secretary, Additional Building, Room No. 511 as the Public Authority, the Commissioner & Secretary, Meghalaya Secretariat, Main Building, Room No. 230, Phone: 0364-2223580, EPABX: 2425 as the Appellate Authority, the Under Secretary, Phone: 0364-2224265, EPABX: 2418 as Public Information Officer and the Superintendent, Phone: 0364-2224265, EPABX: 2418 as the Assistant Public Information Officer. This was informed by the Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, District Council Affairs Department.

Press Release No. 596/16

SENSITIZATION CAMPAIGN ON GLOBAL IODINE DEFICIENCY DISORDERS PREVENTION DAY

A State Level Awareness cum Sensitization Campaign on Global Iodine Deficiency Disorders Prevention Day, 2016 was held today at Hotel Poinisuk, Laitumkhrah, Shillong. The programme was organised by the National Health Mission, Meghalaya World Iodine Deficiency Day is observed every year on 21st October. The aim behind this day is to generate awareness of adequate use of iodine and to highlight the consequences of iodine deficiency. Dr P. Nongrum, Nodal Officer while delivering her speech on National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme (NIDDCP), Meghalaya explained about the amount of iodine needed for the normal growth of the human body. She also said that iodine deficiencies hamper both mental and physical growth and is very crucial for the development of the brain. Dr. A. Dkhar, Senior Medical Specialist, Civil Hospital, Shillong during his power-point presentation on Iodine Deficiency Disorders said that deficiency of iodine can threaten health or lead to complications among pregnant women at the time of delivery. Besides causing birth defects among children, hampering development of body and brain, it can cause goitre, squint, dwarfism. Dr. D. Lyngdoh, Director of Health Services (MCH & FW) cum Joint Mission Director, NHM, Dr. R. O. Budnah, Director of Health Services (MI), Dr. B. Mawthoh, Joint Director of Health Services (MCH & FW) and Dr. William Layam, CMO (NSFG), Regional Office of Health & FW, Shillong, also spoke during the programme. Officials from the Health Department, Social Welfare Department, NGOs and members of the Seng Longkmie were also present during the programme.

Press Release No. 597/16

WORKSHOP ON GOOD GOVERNANCE, DEVELOPMENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS BEGINS IN CITY

With an aim to raise awareness amongst all stakeholders about the importance of good governance in relation to human rights and development, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in collaboration with the Government of Meghalaya with participating States, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram organised a two-day Regional Workshop carrying the theme “Good Governance, Development and Human Rights” at the State Convention Centre in the city today. The workshop brings State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) members, Government officials, NGOs, Civil Societies, academicians and scholars from each of the four participating states to a platform where they can discuss effective examples of governance practices that have an impact on the promotion of human rights and to draw lessons from them with focus on essential elements of good governance, to identify further challenges and share best practices of good governance and development as well as to put forth a vision for the road ahead.

Addressing the inaugural session as Chief Guest, Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr.Mukul Sangma lauded the initiative of the NHRC stating that such initiatives help create an enabling environment to ensure that we as a nation have a system for ensuring that human rights are accessible to the people, further stating that the workshop provides an opportunity for the inherent traditional systems of the North eastern region to be taken advantage of, in order that a more alert and vigilant society can be created. The Chief Minister said that the workshop is a platform for more expansive application of human rights, also adding that the workshop would enlighten all stakeholders and participants to be more alert and vigilant. Dr. Sangma also stated that Meghalaya has to a large extent witnessed activists who have dedicated themselves in drawing the attention of the people at the helm of affairs to take care of the various institutional and legal frameworks required to be put in place as a measure of catering to the needs of the people, adding that the state has seen many a social activist who have been relentless in drawing the attention of the Government pertaining to the rights of the citizens. The Chief Minister also said that the Government has re-strategized and re-designed its approach towards developmental initiatives by introducing formats based on sustainable development in line with the Sustainable Development Goals for the growth and prosperity of the people." These kinds of initiatives will go long way towards ensuring the bringing about of that kind of ecosystem where sustainable development and future prosperity of the people is taken care of”", he said while also stating that citizens of the state must be ensured that they have a sense of well being and security, where they can perceive that the Government is capable of attending to their needs. Dr. Sangma also stressed that in order to wean away the sense of insecurity among the people of the North eastern region the world needs to understand the historical background and the complexities of the region and also the vibrant economic activities happening in this part of the country. Justice H.L Dattu, Chairperson, NHRC and Former Chief Justice of India meanwhile stated that workshop is a platform for sharing of ideas and initiation of important discussions which will bring to light the challenges of the North eastern region, further adding that diverse opinions are expected and new ideas on development emerge from the two-day workshop. Justice Dattu also said that the North East is a region of strategic importance to the country, its proximity to South East Asia making it an important region for foreign trade and investment. He also stressed on the importance of good governance and how it must deliver on the promise of human rights, also stating that as a developing country it is rightful that India implements good governance and sustainable development, further stating that the country must be digitally empowered in order that good governance through e-governance initiatives can cover inclusive growth as India can be transformed through information technology and that digital democracy is a must for good governance. Others who spoke on the occasion were Meghalaya Chief Secretary ,K.S Kropha, Joint Secretary, NHRC, Dr. Ranjit Singh, Meghalaya Principal Secretary in-charge Home & Political Department, P.K Srivastav and others. It may be mentioned that the Regional workshop is the first of the series of three regional workshops, which would be followed by a National seminar on the same theme.