Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 1207/17

INTER STATE YOUTH EXCHANGE PROGRAMME GETS UNDERWAY

Shri W. R. Lyngdoh, Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Education Department today inaugurated the Reciprocal Inter State Youth Exchange Programme under the ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’at Youth Hostel, Shillong. The programme was hosted by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, Shillong, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India in partnership with Department of Education, Government of Meghalaya. Under the programme, every state in the country are paired between two states for conducting a long term exchange programme. Meghalaya alongwith its co-partner state, Arunachal Pradesh got paired with the state of Uttar Pradesh. At the first phase, 50 member youth delegation from Uttar Pradesh together with 50 youth from Meghalaya attended the 15 day programme. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Lyngdoh said the aim of the youth exchange programme is to enhance interaction between people of diverse cultures living in different States and Union Territories in India and for promoting greater mutual understanding amongst them. He also informed that under the programme, the two paired states will conduct a long term exchange programme in different areas such as youth, students, science and technology, culture, economic activities and social field etc. In the second phase, a combined 50 member youth delegation from Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, 25 youths from each state will visit Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh for 15 days from 21st January, 2018 to 5th February, 2018, he added.

During the 15 days long exchange programme, various activities such as knowledge learning lectures, group discussion, debate competition, declamation contest, community integration, field visits to cultural sites among others. The inaugural function was also attended by Shri I. Inkhuanguang, Director, i/c, NYKS, Meghalaya, Dr. Salam D. Singh, District Youth Coordinator, Programme In-charge, Meghalaya.

Press Release No. 1208/17

FOUNDATION STONE LAID FOR SHILLONG MEDICAL COLLEGE

Chief Minister, Dr Mukul M Sangma today laid the Foundation Stone for Shillong Medical College on PPP mode at Reid Chest Hospital, Mawbah, Shillong in the presence of Minister, PWD (B) etc Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh and Minister, Urban Affairs etc., R V Lyngdoh. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Dr Mukul M Sangma expressing happiness in laying the foundation for the medical institution in the region on PPP mode said that establishing infrastructures and taking up projects on PPP mode is a very challenging task for a government as the concept of PPP model is still new for many. He however added that the state government of Meghalaya has successfully taken up many developmental programmes in the state on PPP mode and that the establishment of a medical college in Shillong and Tura will bridge the shortage of medical professionals while providing better Health facilities to the people of the state. The Chief Minister also said that a medical college is not only an institutional for aspiring students who wish to become medical professionals but also a centre with the entire wherewithal to assist the government and the policy makers in respect of all the challenges associated with Health care sector and also medical colleges are the tertiary referral centers. “Having such medical colleges in our own state will not compel our beloved people to travel to Delhi, Vellore or Chennai for tertiary health care,” he said. “It is not just for medical students but for a comprehensive health care system that we need to put in place for our people,” he informed.

Dr Sangma also said that a new strategy for giving treatment has to be adopted and doctors and nurses need to equip themselves with knowledge and skill while treating and taking care of patients. He expressed hope and with the coming up the medical colleges in Shillong and Tura the challenge of providing space for competent young men and women who want to become medical professionals will be addressed while providing access to better health care facilities for the people. Among others who spoke during the Foundation Stone laying ceremony were Minister, Urban Affairs etc R V Lyngdoh, Minister, PWD (B) etc., Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh, Secretary of KPC Medical College, Kolkata, Krishna Das, Finance Secretary, KPC Medical College, Kolkata, Uttam Das and Dr D Lyngdoh, Director, Health Services (MI) who delivered the Welcome address. Also present was Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare etc P W Ingty.