Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 472/08

MA IAH I TOURISM FESTIVAL IN WEST KHASI HILLS

The five days Tourism Festival on the theme “Ma Iah I” will be organized jointly by the District Administration and Tourism Department in West Khasi Hills District from 8th to 12th December, 2008 at three different locations, New Nongstoin playground, Pamphyrnai Lake and Nongkhnum River Island with a variety of events.

The first day of the Festival at New Nongstoin playground will include the inauguration, exhibition, game stall – hit the tin, lucky dip, air gun shooting, ring throwing, shooting the ball through the tyre, Khasi self-composed singing competition, indigenous games- maw-poin, sap-tyngkoh, mawsan, dieng-ia-hai, arm wrestling and photo exhibition by all Departments.

On the second day at Pamphyrnai Lake, the events includes Boating, Swimming, traditional singing competition, traditional dancing competition and cultural show and on the third day at Nongkhnum Beach, the events includes biking/cycling from Nongstoin to Nongkhnum, trekking within Nongkhnum River Island, archery competition, beach volleyball, boating, horse riding and musical unplugged.

On the fourth day, the festival will continue at Nongkhnum Beach with beach football, penalty shootout, boating, visit to Thum Falls and band display by BSF Music Band (Sunset) whereas on the last day at Nongstoin town, the events will consist of food festival, wine festival, Miss West Khasi Hills 2008 beauty contest, fashion show by fashion designers from Shillong, closing ceremony and open air rock concert.

Press Release No. 473/08

AUGMENTATION OF WATER SUPPLY SCHEME INAUGURATED

“As a Mission Hospital, the Dr. H Gordon Roberts Hospital needs a facelift on every aspect. Modern medical infrastructure is still lacking compared to other hospitals in the State,” said the Meghalaya Minister for Urban Affairs, etc, Mr. Paul Lyngdoh during the inauguration of the augmentation of the water supply scheme at the H Gordon Robert Hospital at Jaiaw, Shillong, which is estimated at a total cost of Rs. 7.70 lakhs on November 29, 2008.

In his speech, Mr. Lyngdoh, lauded the role that the doctors and staff of the hospital played in serving the poor and needy which he termed as ‘service above self’. Lamenting on the fact that most of the doctors takes their service not as a mission but as a profession and business, Mr. Lyngdoh said that the spirit that the doctors and staff of this hospital shows has make this hospital as it is today where it has been continually rendered its dedicated and selfless service for 86 years. Referring to the words of Mother Teresa where she said that the ‘major disease of mankind is not physical illness but the affliction of not being wanted’, Mr. Lyngdoh expressed his happiness to see that the Dr. H Gordon Roberts Hospital, Jaiaw, has maintained its motto, where inspite of lack of infrastructure, the staff and hospital management have managed to serve the poor and the needy in its best possible way. Therefore, he called upon the hospital management including the doctors and nurses to continue with its dedicated service to serve the poor and the marginalized section of the society who cannot gain access to private hospitals. He assured the meeting that as a representative and a Minister, he will extend his help in every possible way.

Mr. Lyngdoh also informed the meeting that soon the 193 crores Phase III of the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme will be implemented of which he hoped that the scheme will be a blessing to the urban populace.

Dr. David Tariang, Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, who delivered the welcome speech, also informed the meeting that the hospital is experiencing hardships in terms of providing the basic amenities to the patients because the hospital is yet to receive the outstanding bills from patients which have crossed to over Rs. 50.00 lakhs. Therefore, he expressed his confidence that with the cooperation and help from the MLA and the Rangbah Shnongs of Jaiaw Pyllun, the hospital will be able to move the wheel of dedicated service to the people of the State especially the poor.

Press Release No. 474/08

LECTURE CUM PRESENTATION ON RASHTRIYA INDIAN MILITARY COLLEGE

Aimed at creating awareness to the students of the State who wants to join the Army, Navy and Air Force, the Commandant of the Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun, will conduct a Lecture-cum-Presentation on December 15, 2008 at 11:00 AM at the Don Bosco Hall, Laitumkhrah, Shillong.

Interested students of Class III, IV, V and VI can attend the programme along with their parents on the above mentioned date, venue and time for their awareness and preparation to join the Defence Services.

Press Release No. 475/08

ANGANWADI CENTRE INAUGURATED

The building of Anganwadi Centre at Rynniangbari Lum, Ri Bhoi District was inaugurated on November 28, 2008 by the Chairman of MIDC, Mr. J D Rymbai in the presence of nominated MDC Mr. Artist Ranee, CDPO, Nongpoh, Mrs. A Kharbhih and Headmen of different villages of the area. The building was sanction at an amount of Rs. 1.75 lakhs.

In his inaugural speech, Mr. Rymbai congratulated the Social Welfare Department who through the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) has successfully implemented the scheme. Mr. Rymbai also said that Anganwadi Centre is the foundation centre that train children and also prepares a child to enter the Standard one class. The Centre also imparts the basic health education to the students as well as parents. Therefore, he urged the people to properly utilize the scheme given to them by the government and called upon the Dorbar Shnongs of the area to maintain the spirit of unity and brotherhood for accelerated implementation of developmental schemes of the villages and the area as a whole.