Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 170/11

PROVISIONAL POPULATION TOTALS PAPER 1 RELEASED

Shillong, April 7, 2011: The Provisional Population Totals, Paper 1 of Census 2011 was released today, the 7th April, 2011 by the Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister i/c Health and Family Welfare, Mr. Rowell Lyngdoh at the Conference Hall, Main Secretariat, Shillong. The book was released in the presence of the Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Mr. W M S Pariat, Addl. Chief Secretary, i/c Finance B K Dev Verma, Principal Secretary, Education, Mr. P S Thangkhiew, Principal Secretary, Transport, Mr. Hector Marwein, Director Census Operations, Meghalaya, Mr. K L Tariang and other senior officials.

As per the Census 2011, Meghalaya has a population of 2,964,007, of which 14, 92,668 are males and 14, 71,338 females with the decadal growth rate of 28.82 percent. Density of population per sq.km is 132 while the sex ratio is 986 females per 1000 males. The literacy rate of the State is 75.48 percent.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. R Lyngdoh said in India census operation has been taking place every 10 (ten) years. He expressed happiness that in Meghalaya this colossal exercise has been successful and congratulated all those involved in this operation. He also said that the census which was carried out in Meghalaya will be of immense help to the Government of Meghalaya in implementing the schemes and policy as well as in developing the State.

Press Release No. 171/11

SITTING OF THE TRIBUNAL

Shillong, April 8, 2011: The next sitting of the Tribunal in the matter of declaring United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) as unlawful association will be held at Shillong on 19th April, 2011 at 2:30 PM and on 20th April, 2011 at 10:00 AM at Hotel Polo Towers, Shillong and not on 7th-8th April, 2011 as announced earlier. This was informed by the OSD to the Government of Meghalaya, Political Department.

Press Release No. 172/11

WORLD HEALTH DAY OBSERVED

Shillong, April 8, 2011: Together with the rest of the country, World Health Day on the theme “Antimicrobial Resistance - No Action Today No Cure Tomorrow” was observed by the Indian Red Cross Society today, the 8th April, 2011. To mark the occasion, the Unit marched from their schools and gathered at the Soso Tham Memorial Campus and then march together to the State Headquarters of the Bharat Scouts and Guides. The Director of Health Services (MI), Dr. A Das who was the Chief Guest on the occasion explained to the audience about the perils of misuse and overuse of antibiotics.

Other programme of the day included a Poster campaign in which 14 Units with their counselors participated.

Press Release No. 173/11

LASUBON FESTIVAL

Shillong, April 8, 2011: The 2 day Lasubon Festival organized by the Meghalaya Tourism Department, got underway on April 8, 2011 at Orchid Lake Resort, Umiam, Ri Bhoi. Lasubon refered to a type of rare golden coloured orchid with an enchanting fragrance which are found in the deep jungle of Meghalaya. The festival was inaugurated by Minister of Tourism, Meghalaya, Mrs Ampareen Lyngdoh.

Speaking on the occasion Mrs Lyngdoh lauded the organizers for organizing such a beautiful event, adding that more of this kind would be organized in future also. Events like Lasubon Festival give us an opportunity to see the rich cultural heritage of the people of Meghalaya and to involve with different community said Mrs. Lyngdoh. She further said that this kind of festival help us to rekindle the rich heritage of our forefathers in the form of ethnic song , dance and food festival.

The festival has witnessed the rich cultural heritage of the three major tribe of Meghalaya, Khasi, Jaintia and Garo. In coherence with the splendor of the surrounding thatched huts served as the stall where varied handlooms, handicrafts and indigenous products were displayed and sold by various governmental department, SHG and local artisans.

The lush green hillocks and the fascinating view of the Orchid Resort Lake, Umiam, served as a perfect backdrop to cultural events like traditional dance and song. Fashion show and International Latino Dance was also held as part of the festival.

Press Release No. 174/11

PET DOGS TO BE REGISTERD

Shillong, April 8, 2011: The Shillong Municipal Board has informed that under section 128 of the M.M. Act all the residents within the Shillong Municipal Area have to register their Pet Dogs with the Shillong Municipal Board and obtain the tags on payment of fees. All pet owners are to ensure that their dogs are not let loose in public places and roads. Any dog found without tags will be treated as strayed dogs and necessary action will be taken. This is to prevent the spread of diseases.

Press Release No. 177/11

CM LAUNCHES 2 NEW DAILY NEWSPAPERS IN GARO HILLS

TURA, April 8, 2011: Two new daily newspapers, one in English and another in Garo language, were launched by the Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma at an impressive function to mark the occasion at the District Auditorum, Tura, today.

The new English daily, The Tura Times and its sister publication in Garo, Salantini Ku•rang, are the first ever daily newspapers to be published and printed from Garo Hills. Parliamentary Secretary i/c Excise, etc Mr. Limison Sangma, Parliamentary Secretary i/c Horticulture etc, Mr. Francis Pondit R. Sangma, CEM, GHADC Mr. P.K.Sangma, West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner in-charge, Mr. V.K.Mantri, other district officials, MDCs and members of the Press fraternity also attended the launching ceremony.

Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Dr.Mukul Sangma stated that dissemination of information go hand in hand with the endeavour of the government to bring development to the people and assured the Media persons of government’s support.

He informed that government would soon be coming up with a scheme to make DIPR more proactive and converge with the media organizations to ensure that people have access to information. Stating that implementation of various schemes gets dislocated due to deficiencies in the process of implementation, he urged the media persons to address such deficiencies and informed the gathering about government’s plan to initiate capacity building of the media persons for better information dissemination.

Spelling out the role of the media in ensuring that information in the right form reaches the people on time, the Chief Minister said, “While the media must play a role of a watchdog without being biased, they must also ensure that positive news are also not left out, so as to bring hope to the people”. He also cautioned the members of the Fourth Estate on the misuse of media for vested interests by some individuals.

Earlier, the Editor of the two dailies, Mr. Pangseng R. Marak welcomed the gathering, while the Senior Editor Mr. Andriano Marak highlighted the objectives of bringing out these two newspapers.

Parliamentary Secretaries, Mr. Limison Sangma and Mr. FP R Sangma and West Garo Hills DC in-charge Mr. V K Mantri were among others who also spoke on the occasion.