Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 107/12

POLO ORCHID RESORT INAUGURATED

Shillong, March 30th, 2012: Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma today inaugurated the Polo Orchid Resort at Mawsmai, Cherrapunjee in the presence of the Chairman State Planning Board, Dr Donkupar Roy, Parliamentary Secretaries, Dr P W Khongjee and R V Lyngdoh, Chairman MTDF, Mr R G Lyngdoh, Commissioner & Secretary, Tourism Department, Mrs R V Suchiang and also Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, Mr Sanjay Goyal among others.

It may be mentioned that the land for the resort was donated by the Mawsmai-Nongthymmai Elaka to the State Tourism Department and the Polo Group was entrusted to operate and make the resort functional.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mukul Sangma said that the opening of Polo Orchid Resort at Mawsmai is an achievement which will boost the tourism industry in the State and also promote Cherrapunje as the number one tourist destination in the State.

Dr Mukul while stressing on the need to involve the community in the promoting tourism, said that promotion of tourism is not only in terms of providing infrastructure but also in capacity building. He said that the Government has a special focus on Cherrapunjee and substantial investment is being made to develop the area.

Dr Mukul also expressed concern on the degrading environment around Cherrapunjee and said that it is important to restore the ecosystem of the area and called upon the people to extend their cooperation in preserving the environment which is one of the unique selling points of the State, thereby attracting more tourists.

Among others who spoke on the occasion were Chairman State Planning Board, Dr Donkupar Roy, Parliamentary Secretaries, Dr P W Khongjee and R V Lyngdoh, Commissioner & Secretary, Tourism Department, Mrs R V Suchiang, Managing Director, Polo Group, Mr Kishan Tibrewalla and Mr K Khongwar, representative of Mawsmai-Nongthymmai Elaka.

Press Release No. 108/12

APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR AWARDING OF SCHOLARSHIP

Shillong, March 31, 2012: Applications are invited from students who are permanent residents of the State of Meghalaya studying within and outside the State for awarding of scholarships under the Scheme of Minority Scholarship for Students belonging to Minority Communities for the year 2012-13.

Merit-cum-Mean Based Scholarship will be awarded to students pursuing Technical & Professional Courses at Under Graduate/Post Graduate level in an institution recognized by an appropriate authority. Applications for the said scholarship are to be submitted on-line to www.momascholarship.gov.in. Print out of duly filled in application forms are also to be submitted to the office of the Director of Higher & Technical Education, Meghalaya, Shillong alongwith all supporting documents through their respective institutions.

Post Matric Scholarship will be awarded to students pursuing any course from Class XI to Ph.D level in an institution recognized by an appropriate authority. Applications for the said scholarship are to be submitted on-line to www.momascholarship.gov.in. Print out of duly filled in application forms are also to be submitted to the office of the Director of Higher & Technical Education, Meghalaya, Shillong alongwith all supporting documents through their respective institutions.

Pre-Matric Scholarship will be awarded to students from Class 1 to Class X and application form are available in the office of the District School Education Officer of their respective Districts or Sub-Divisional School Education Officer of their respective Sub-Divisions.

Details on eligibility and forms (both fresh and renewal) can be collected from the Scholarship Branch, Room No. 206(B), Additional Secretariat Building, Office of the Director of Higher & Technical Education, Meghalaya, Shillong or can be downloaded from Education website http://megeducation.gov.in/dhte.scholarship.schforms.html. The last date for submission of application will all relevant documents is July 30, 2012.