Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 178/07

STATE LEVEL EXHIBITION ON REGP UNITS AND KHADI MELA INAUGURATED

A ten day State Level Exhibition on Rural Employment Generation Units and Khadi Mela, jointly organized by the Meghalaya Khadi Village and Industries Board (MKVIB) and Khadi Village and Industries Commission (KVIC) was inaugurated by the Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Donkupar Roy on March 23, 2007 at the premises of the State Central Library, Shillong. Also present at the inaugural function was the Chairman, MKVIB, Mr. Draishon Kharshiing.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Donkupar Roy said the programme has been organized with an objective to acquaint the public with what the rural artisans have to offer and the need for the public to be aware of the advantages of patronizing the environmental friendly, affordable and useful items manufactured by small producers of the State. Stating that by holding this programme, a small but respectful tribute is being paid to Mahatma Gandhi who is regarded as the chief inspiration and motive force of the modern day Khadi and Village Industries Movement, Dr. Roy said that Gandhi had the welfare of the humble rural folk at the centre of his concern and sought to relief the economic misery of the Indian countryside by advocating the use of the improved charkha and other rudimentary but effective technologies to boost traditional skills and crafts, thereby generating additional employment and income for the villages in a sustainable, eco-friendly manner.

In the context of the suggestion given by the President of India in his address to the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly recently where he suggested the setting up of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the state for farming of herbal, aromatic and ginger products with the notion to transform traditional, subsistence agriculture into a kind of industry in itself, Dr. Roy said that the MKVIB and in particular its Rural Employment Generation Programme Scheme has a strong role to play in reducing the pressure on agricultural land and concurrently provide supplementary non-farm means of unemployment to the rural folk.

He expressed hoped that the exhibition will help the rural artisans become better acquainted with the nature, scope and requirements of the market place. Referring to the “Look East Policy” which is meant to stimulate the economics of the North Eastern States by encouraging them to link up with the emerging markets of the foreign countries in our neighborhood, he urged upon artisans and entrepreneurs to raise their sights beyond the local market and have a vision of selling their products in the national and international markets as well.

Aimed at providing opportunity to the units to display their products locally produced and exhibit their workmanship, Mr. Kharshiing, in his speech, said the Board has been organizing exhibitions every year both in the Districts and the State capital with the objective of propagating and marketing of Khadi products. Stating that life is not over by not getting government employment, Mr. Kharshiing called upon the youth to avail the advantage of the Board’s schemes and look positively ahead as there are galore of opportunities where they can take self employment venture as a career adding that many have been able to come up successfully in life by becoming an entrepreneur and in the process contributed tremendously to the building of the state economy.

Mr. Kharshiing also encouraged the youth to take benefit of the skill development programmes, financial support and other technical assistance render by the Board and start their own industrial units under the Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) scheme, which has been specially designed and tailored to meet the challenges of unemployment.

Press Release No. 179/07

SPECIAL INTERACTIVE PROGRAMME HELD

A Special Interactive Programme (SIP) on the theme “Development Towards Rural Areas and Awareness on Rural Industrial Development” was held at Mangsang Secondary School, East Garo Hills District, on March 22, 2007. The SIP was organized by the office of the District Public Relations Officer (DPRO), East Garo Hills District, Williamnagar in collaboration with the District Industries Centre. Six departments comprising of Agriculture, Horticulture, Health, Forest, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary and Industries took part in the programme.

Speaking as the Chief Guest, the Block Development Officer, Rongjeng Dambo Block, Ms. S. B. Marak lauded the office of the DPRO, Williamnagar for organizing an innovative programme for the benefit of the rural populace where various developmental schemes of different departments are make known to the public.

During the interactive session, the officers of different departments highlighted the schemes available in their departments and answered queries posed by the public.