Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 63/11

31ST NEIHA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Shillong 14th February 2011: The Union Minister of State for Rural Development, Government of India Ms. Agatha K Sangma today inaugurated the 31st Annual Conference of the North East Indian History Association (NEIHA) at Don Bosco College, Tura. The 3 days conference is being jointly organized by the North Eastern Council in collaboration with the Indian Council for Social Science Research. Ms. Sangma was also accompanied by the former Lok Sabha Speaker and MLA, Tura Mr. Purno A Sangma, Mr. Sanjay Goyal, Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills beside others.

It may be mentioned here that NEIHA was formed on 27th February 1979 with an aim and objectives to bring qualitative and quantitative research of history through the induction of multiple disciplines in the study of history.

In her speech as the chief guest, Ms. Sangma said that the History of North East should also include in the annals of Indian History and in the academic manuscripts of the NCERT etc. She further said that proper documentation of the North East Region is necessary to incorporate the traditions of the North East with the mainstream India to put to an end of the feeling of alienation among the people of the region with the rest of the country.

Later the previous proceeding of NEIHA was released along with several books authored by professors and academicians of NEIHA.

Others who spoke on the occasion were Mr. P A Sangma and Mr. Sanjay Goyal, Deputy Commissioner West Garo Hills.

Press Release No. 64/11

TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR MEGHALAYA PWD ENGINEERS HELD

Shillong, January 14, 2011: The week long Training Programme on Detailed Project Reports Preparation, Maintenance of Roads and Quality Control in Highways/ Road Construction for Engineers of the Meghalaya Public Works Department (PWD) was inaugurated today by Mr. W. M. S. Pariat, Meghalaya Chief Secretary at the function held at Shillong Club, Shillong which was presided over by Mr.C.D.Kynjing Principal Secretary, Forest and Environment etc. The training was organized by the Indian Academy of Highway Engineers (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) Noida, hosted by the Public Works (R & B) Department Government of Meghalaya.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Pariat expressed confidence that this training will improve the capacity building, upgrade their skilled and knowledge of the State Engineers at different level. Since the state is totally dependent on the road communication, the engineers need to ensure that the road connectivity is in good condition and with the expertise and knowledge of the resource persons from the Indian Academy of Highway Engineers will benefit the engineers of the state in planning, execution and implementation of different project which will help the engineer build a better road, said Mr. Pariat.

It may be mentioned that the Training is initiated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Ministry for Development of North Eastern Region and the Government of Meghalaya through the Indian Academy of Highways Engineers, Noida.

The first batch of the training will study on preparation of sound Engineering Detailed Project Reports and also on proper maintenance of the assets created roads and bridges. The second batch will be trained on Quality Control in Highways/Road Construction. The resource person from Indian Academy of Highway Engineers includes Mr.H.K.Sharma, Dr. S. S. Seehra, Dr. S. C. Maiti, Mr. Alok Pandey and Dr. Sunil Bose.

Mr. P. S. G. Lyngdoh, Secretary PWD (R&B) informed that the State has received sanctions from the Central Government on Highways and Roads construction and the sanction amount is Rs.3000 crores to be implemented by the State PWD. The sanctioned projects include improvement and widening of the Shillong-Nongstoin-Tura Road, N.E.C. sponsored schemes, other schemes under National Highways, NLCPR, Central road fund, etc., and PMGSY schemes to be sanctioned by the Ministry of Rural Development and being funded by the World Bank. He also added that this Training is very important to the engineers of the Department to enhance their capacity and to make them well equipped to handle the implementation of such huge projects in the State.