Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 831/06

MAHARAM GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL CELEBRATES SILVER JUBILEE

The Silver Jubilee of the Maharam Government Secondary School was inaugurated by the Meghalaya Home Minister, Mr. R G. Lyngdoh in a function held in the school’s premises on November 6, 2006. The meeting chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills District, Mr. K.L. Tariang was widely attended by officials of the various government departments, local representatives, past pupils of the school, teachers, students and other dignitaries.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Lyngdoh congratulated the school on its milestone achievement. Stating that in the twenty five years of its existence the School has produced many personalities who have served the State and the society in various ways, he hoped that the School would continue to shine in the years to come. Adding that education builds character, Mr. Lyngdoh reiterating the Government’s commitment to improving the education scenario in the State. Further, he also said that the State has a huge tourism potential, which if properly harnessed can boost the economy of the State and at the same time generate employment opportunities.

Speaking as the Guest of Honour, the Director of Higher and Technical Education, Mr. W. Khyllep, informed that the education system in the State has improved greatly as compared to in the years gone by.

Other highlight of the day included a skit performed by the Kynhun Biria U Maram and cultural programmes performed by the school students.

Press Release No. 832/06

PRINTING ERROR REGRETTED

The Director of Information and Public Relations, Meghalaya has informed that due to printing error, the holiday for Seng Kut Snem in the Meghalaya multi-page calendar 2006, has been inadvertently printed as on November 16, 2006. The actual date is November 23, 2006. The error is regretted and the Directorate offers its sincere apologies to all concerned.

Press Release No. 833/06

1ST DR. LAPANG FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT CONCLUDED

The 1st Dr. Lapang Running Football Trophy organized by the Nonglyngdoh Upliftment Youth Union (NUYU) was concluded at Pahambir playground on November 07, 2006 in a match played between Pahambir SC and Nongkhrah Sc in which the former beat the latter by 2-1. The Chief Guest on the occasion was Dr. D. D. Lapang, Chairman, Meghalaya Economic Development Council (MEDC).

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Lapang lauded the organizer for its efforts and initiative in organizing the tournament with a view to promote sports among the youths of the area that would in turn foster unity and brotherhood among the people at large. He strongly urged the young and talented players to take sports not only as an entertainment but a profession citing an example that many sports persons around the world have achieved wealth and fame through sports.

Dr. Lapang lamented that many of the talented players ruin their career and life by indulging in bad habits such as drugs and other intoxications. He therefore called upon them to be cautious so that they do not fall in such temptations.

He informed that the Pahambir playground and the 5 km Pahambir Pdah Kyndeng-Korstep road will soon be constructed. The day ended with the prize distribution ceremony.

Others speaking on the occasion were Mr. W. L. Mynsong, Deputy CEM, KHADC and Mr. C. B. Syiem, EM, KHADC.

Press Release No. 834/06

REVIEW MEETING ON SSA IN GARO HILLS

The Deputy Commissioner & Chairman, SSA, West Garo Hills, Mr. P. Sampath Kumar held a meeting with the Block Mission Coordinators(BMCs) and Cluster Resource Coordinators(CRCs) on November 06, 2006 to review the progress made in each block post-Education Festival in the District.

It may be recalled that a month-long district- wide Education Festival was organized in the district during the month of August- September last, where a number of out-of-school children were identified and enrolled for back to school programmes. This review meeting was held basically to identify places where bridge courses are to be conducted and which NGOs would volunteer and teach the children.

During the meet, the Deputy Commissioner made a reminder that the community has given a commitment through the Social Agreement that they would send their children to school they should stand by it and the teacher would be squarely responsible if any child is found out of school. He also requested all the DIs and SSA team to issue notices that all out of school children are to be enrolled and that there would be no time limit for enrolment.

It was decided in the meeting that a three-month bridge course would be arranged from November 15 to February 15, next for identified school drop-outs in all the villages.

The reports given by the BMCs revealed that in some villages there are children who have never been enrolled as there is no school within 5 km radius, while many school dropout children who require bridge courses have been identified in many villages. The DC stressed that there should be no village without any alternative school or EGS centre, and reminded the BMCs that their foremost responsibility under SSA was to provide access to education and called upon all concerned to take their responsibilities seriously.

Press Release No. 835/06

NGO'S DISCUSS DISABILITY REHABILITATION IN GARO HILLS

Several NGOs of Garo Hills, along-with the officials of the Social Welfare and Health Department gathered at the Tura Circuit house on November 6, 2006 for a day-long “NGO interaction Seminar on Disability Rehabilitation for Garo Hills”, which was organized by the Social Welfare Department in collaboration with the State Resource Centre (SRC)-District Rehabilitation Centre (DRC), Civil Hospital, Shillong as part of the on going Disability Rehabilitation programme in the State.

Speaking as the inaugural session, Deputy Commissioner, Tura, Mr. P Sampath Kumar said that the seminar is basically meant to push forward the rehabilitation programme for persons with disabilities especially in the rural area—measures that can be taken up in the district level, laying stress on the SHGs approach to reach out to communities. He also noted with concern that so far in the district the disability certificates which were to be issued by a Medical Board are being issued by the District Rehabilitation Centre and suggested that the seminar will take up necessary steps to constitute the District Medical Board. He also urged upon the participants to come up with proper convergent action plan for persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the region.

Others who spoke on the occasion were Joint Director and Consultant, SRC, Dr. E K Sing, Sense International, Ahmedabad, Dr. V Mathew, official of Bethany Society, Sr. R Lopez, Medical Superintendent, Civil Hospital, Tura, Dr. A K Roy, Nodal Officer DRC, Dr. C R Marak, Joint Director, Social Welfare, Tura, Ms. L N Jyrwa and DSWO, Ms. V A Sangma