Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 819/04

H D R LYNGDOH INUAGURATES MEGHALAYA HOUSE AT VELLORE

Meghalaya Minister for General Administration Department, Mr H D R Lyngdoh, has inaugurated the Vellore Meghalaya House named “Spring of Hope Apartments” situated in Rangapuram village under Satuvachari Panchayat about 5 Kms from Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu on December 4, 2004. Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Mr P J Bazeley was present as the guest of honour on the occasion. The MLA from Vellore constituency, Mr G Gnanasekharan also attended the inaugural function. The function was presided over by the OSD, GAD, Mr. Aldous Mawlong.

Speaking as the Chief Guest on the occasion, Mr Lyngdoh said that it is a momentous occasion to the people of the State where their long aspiration has been fulfilled. He said that the people from Meghalaya have established a strong bond of faith in the Christian Medical College, Vellore for the health care facilities it provides. Therefore it is felt necessary to set up the Meghalaya House so that it can cater to the growing demands for accommodation by the people visiting Vellore especially for medical treatment, he added.

Mr Lyngdoh informed that the process of setting the State House in Vellore began when the Tamil Nadu Housing Board, Vellore Unit offered flats comprising of ten High Income Group houses to the Government of Meghalaya which was approved by the State cabinet in the year 2000 and the houses were then acquired. Mr Lyngdoh observed that the number of medical cases referred by the Health Department of the State to the Christian Medical College, Vellore has increased considerably and hoped that the commissioning of the Apartments, each of which is equipped with four room with a provision for a kitchen and attached bathroom, will go a long way in providing clean and economical accommodation for the patients and their attendants.

Mr Lyngdoh announced that with the aim of providing the best facilities possible to the people, the State Government would soon purchase a Sumo vehicle, which will play a vital role in easing the transportation problems. Meanwhile, he informed that additional services such as aid in booking of train tickets and flight tickets will also be made available besides other facilities. Mr Lyngdoh appreciated the efforts of the State General Administration Department, the Tamil Nadu Housing Board and the Christian Medical College authorities besides others who have been working tirelessly together for the noble cause. He urged the management and staff of the Meghalaya House to be responsible in seeing to the day to day functioning of the House and to work with dedication so that the apartments aptly called the “Spring of Hope Apartments” will reflect the atmosphere of comfort and hope and act as a balm soothing many troubled minds during their stay.

Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Mr P J Bazeley who is the guest of honour on the occasion in his speech said that the commissioning of the Meghalaya House, Vellore is a sign that the State Administration is fulfilling the commitment to provide quality health care to the people. He said that CMC, Vellore has become a “Mecca of Health Care for the people of Meghalaya” as the faith and trust they have in the CMC is very strong. He expressed his gratitude to the CMC for the kind attention they give to the people of the State.

Mr G Gnanasekharan, Vellore MLA while appreciating the care shown by the Government of Meghalaya to its people, said that it is an encouraging example for the Tamil Nadu government and in the same line Tamil Nadu House should also be set up in Meghalaya and other parts of the country. Mr Gnanasekharan being the local MLA of the area assured all possible assistance and support to the people of Meghalaya who are in Vellore. Later, Mr H D R Lyngdoh also unveiled a plaque to mark the inauguration of the Meghalaya House, Spring of Hope Apartments, Vellore.

Others who spoke on the occasion were Mr B Murugan, Chairman, Sathuvachari Panchayat, Mrs Ramana Saraswati, Revenue Divisional Officer, Vellore and Dr Prasana Ranjan, Deputy Director CMC. Mr E George, Caretaker, Meghalaya House, Vellore earlier delivered the welcome address. Other highlights of the inaugural function include a Carnatic Vocal Recital by a renowned vocalist Mrs Yamuna Nageswaran, a Bharat Natyam Dance by Ms Vanaj Nagrajan and a Group Song by the Khasi community present in Vellore.

Press Release No. 820/04

MEGHALAYA GAMES 2004 KICK START AT POLO GROUND

The Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr. D. D. Lapang today declared the 12 days Meghalaya Games 2004 open at the first ground of the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex, Polo, Shillong.

Speaking at the inaugural function, Dr. Lapang expressed his happiness that Meghalaya is placed well in the map of the country. He also congratulate the Meghalaya State Olympic Association and the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs for organizing these games. Dr. Lapang felt that the Meghalaya Games, 2004 will prepare the talented athletes for the National Games which will be held in Assam and hope that the games will promote goodwill and understanding among all the athletes and mobilize the enthusiasm of energy of other youths in sports and games. Dr. Lapang hoped that the athletes taking part in these games would bring laurels to the State in the coming National Games. Sports has become very important in people’s life these days, they are the sports people who are most discipline and bring glory to the State as well as their parents and schools.

Dr. Lapang also said that in order to bring up sports in Meghalaya up to national and even upto international standard, it is time the corporate and private sectors chip in by collaborating with the State Government to promote sports excellence in the State.

While welcoming the gathering, Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Mr. Paul Lyngdoh said that Sports has to be an integral part and complete sports personalities are the assets to the society. He urged upon the State Government to make the Sports Department an important Department, because “if people are healthy the Government need not spend much money in Health Services and Police, because a healthy person need not go to doctors every now and then a healthy mind does not go hey way”, he said. Only building roads and bridges will not help, building human personalities are equally important, he added.

Other highlights of the day include a welcome song sang by Natalie Syiem, March Past by the athletes and teams from nine different streams and drill displayed by school children. The different streams of the Meghalaya Games are Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Boxing, Football, Karate, Table Tennis, Tae-kwondo and Wushu.

Others present during the inaugural session includes the Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Donkupar Roy, Urban Affairs Minister, Mr. Friday Lyngdoh and Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Boldness Nongum.

It may be mentioned that the athletes will be selected to represent the State in the upcoming National Games to be held in Assam on November 2005.

Press Release No. 821/04

DISTRICT LEVEL KHADI EXHIBITION AT NONGPOH

The week long 1st District Level Khadi Exhibition, organised by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), was inaugurated on December 06, 2004, by Mr. C.B. Syiem, local MDC and EM, KHADC at the premises of St. Paul’s School, Nongpoh. In all, 24 entrepreneurs from the State and Assam participated in the exhibition.

In a meeting chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, Mr. W.L. Lyngdoh, the local MDC, Mr.C.B. Syiem highly appreciated the KVIC for organising the exhibition at Nongpoh to uplift and promote the economic life of the people of the area and the District as a whole, especially the rural masses. Adding that the District, with its rich natural resources, has a big scope of setting up of small scale industries, he urged upon the people especially the youths to take up Khadi and Village Industry through the help and assistance offered by the Khadi Board.

The Deputy Commissioner, in his speech said that Khadi and Village Industry is meant for the rural people and therefore the exhibition is appropriate for the people of Ri Bhoi to make them aware of the rich potentials that the District has for the establishment of small scale and village industries. He then urged the people particularly the youth to explore every possibilities of setting up small scale industries in the District for the economic development of the District and the State as a whole.

Press Release No. 822/04

INDO TIBETAN BORDER POLICE RECRUITMENT

The Director General, Indo Tibetan Border Police, MHA, Government of India, has invited applications from male candidates for filling up the post of Sub-Inspector (Overseer) and Unskilled and Skilled Followers in ITBP.

Details of the advertisement can be had from the office of the DIPR, during office hours.

Press Release No. 823/04

FREE EYE CAMP

The Director of Health Services (Ophthalmology Section) has informed that the Central Mobile Unit in collaboration with the District Blindness Control Society, east Khasi Hills, Shillong will organized a free eye screening camp with free medicines in urban slums of Shillong.

The camp will be held on December 10, 2004 at Sweeper Colony, Bara Bazar, on December 14, 2004 at Jhalupara, Mawprem and December 17, 2004 at Pynthorumkhrah from 9.00AM-1.00PM.