Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 146/10

DEPUTY COMMISSIONER LIBRARY AND ARCHIVE INAUGURATED

Shillong, 13 April 2010: With an aim to preserve rare manuscripts and other literary works pertaining to the British annexation in Garo Hills, jotted down by Lt. W.J. Williamson and other renowned British Administrators, the West Garo Hills Administration have establish the Deputy Commissioner’s Library and Archives at the Deputy Commissioner’s residential campus in Tura.

The Deputy Commissioner’s Library and Archives was inaugurated on the 12th April 2010 at the modest gathering of eminent personalities and district officials by the Chief Guest, Shri I.K Sangma, retired Secretary, MBOSE in the presence of Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, Shri. Sanjay Goyal.

This library was envisioned by the former Deputy Commissioner, Shri. P Sampath Kumar, keeping in mind the noble attempt of his predecessor to preserve the manuscript for future reference and computerization. The present Deputy Commissioner, Shri. Sanjay Goyal has tediously and selflessly worked with seven of his officers and staffs especially chosen for the fruition of the project.

Speaking in the occasion, Shri. Sanjay Goyal profusely thanked all of his predecessors and also other officers for envisioning the Deputy Commissioner’s Library and Archives. He stated that precious manuscripts and documents pertaining to the British annexation of Garo Hills, besides records, diaries, tour diaries and many more authored by various British Officers and Deputy Commissioners over the years since 1864 were lodged in the Library. This, he added, was a treasure trove of information and History of the Rich Cultural Heritage of the Garos and therefore could be possibly used for future reference.

Shri. I. K Sangma stating that he was very happy to be part of this special gathering said, “We are very lucky to be part of history today.” He further said that the library containing rare and literary works needed a strict custodian and said, “Libraries need very strict officers and worked for the preservation of the precious manuscripts lodge in the Deputy Commissioner’s Library and Archives.”

Others who spoke on the occasion were Dr. Milton Sangma, Pro-VC, Smti. B. K. Sangma, retired Director, Research and Training, Smti. A. V. D Shira, MCS, BDO, Gambegre Block, West Garo Hills and Dr. A. K. Kundu, Deputy Librarian, NEHU, Tura Campus.

Press Release No. 147/10

AUDITIONS CALLED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL IN MONTENEGRO

Shillong, 13 April 2010: The Suncane Skale International Music Competition and Festival will be held in HDRCEGNOVI, Montenegro on the 7th to 9th July 2010. Interested Bands and artists will be first short listed in qualification round wherein their piece of music will be judged by a jury. The short listed bands or artists will perform live in New Delhi and the winner will be sent to participate in the Suncane Skale International Music Competition and Festival in Montenegro.

The selection of Artists from the North East will be done at an audition which will be held on 24th April, 2010 at the NEZCC Shilpgram, Guwahati. Interested Rock band and musicians are to report at the Shilpgram Complex at 3:00 pm and no TA or DA will be provided.

Press Release No. 148/10

BIOMETRIC CARDS TO BE INTRODUCED IN NORTH EAST

Shillong, April 13, 2010: In a bid to check diversion of food grains and ensure corruption-free Public Distribution System, the Centre has decided to introduce biometric ration cards in various States of the North East. This was informed by the Union Food Secretary, Alka Sirohi at the meeting of Food Secretaries of North East States held at Orchid Lake Resort, Umiam on April 12, 2010 which was also attended by the Meghalaya Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Mrs. Ampareen Lyngdoh, officials of the Food and Civil Supplies Department from various North East States including officials of Food Corporation of India.

Sirohi also said that the introduction of the bio-metric card system would help in maintaining transparency on every food allocation for every State in the region.

Stating that enough food grains were allocated for the North East, Sirohi however informed that the region does not have adequate storage capacity. Therefore, the Centre has decided to construct additional storage capacity of over seven lakh tones in the region and massive construction programmes of godowns would be carried out soon and officials of the FCI would visit the North Eastern States every month to assess the necessity, she added.

During the meeting, the Union Food Secretary also had thorough interaction with officials on the food scenario in the region including inadequate supply of sugar.

It may be mentioned that according to the evaluation study on PDS and AAY by ORG Centre for Social Research, New Delhi, the diversion of food grains is high in North Eastern States especially Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland.

Meghalaya Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Mrs. Ampareen Lyngdoh in her speech expressed concern at the alleged incorrect projection by the Planning Commission over the poverty figures of the State and urged the Centre to consider the figures prepared by respective States of the North East.

Press Release No. 149/10

NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON INDO-WORDNET

Shillong, April 13, 2010: The second National Workshop on Indo-WordNet, jointly organized by the Department of Computer Science, Assam University, Silchar, IIT Bombay, Gauhati University and Manipur University, was inaugurated by the Meghalaya Minister of Information Technology (IT), Mr. A T Mondal at Hotel Pinewood on April 12, 2010.

WordNet is a lexical database for the English language. It groups English words into sets of synonyms called synsets, provides short, general definitions and records the various semantic relations between these synonym sets. The purpose is to produce a combination of dictionary and thesaurus and to support automatic text analysis and artificial intelligence applications.

In his inaugural speech, Mr. Mondal said that according to the Indian Constitution, Article 343 recognises Hindi in Devanagiri script as the official language of the Central Government and English for official purposes. It also provides constitutional recognition to official languages of the Union to include any language adopted by the State Legislature at the official language of that State. Therefore, Mondal stressed on the need to have comprehensive database for every Indian languages also with special emphasis on Khasi and Garo.

Stating that the introduction of such e-governance programmes in the country can boost knowledge of the rural masses, making it easier for the people to understand education better, Mr. Mondal expressed hope that the WordNet will change the whole education system of the country keeping the significance of the rural masses.

Press Release No. 150/10

NORTH EAST GAMES TO BE HELD IN SHILLONG

Shillong, 13 April 2010: The twenty forth North East Games Shillong 2010 organised by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Meghalaya in collaboration with Sports Authority of India will start from the April 19 till the 24, 2010. Various sports will be held in different location in the city.

From April 20 to 22, Judo will be held at J.N Sports Training Hall, Polo Ground, Boxing will be held at the J.N. Indoor Stadium Hall, Polo Ground from April 20 to 23, Wushu at Asom Kristi Kendra Hall on April 20 to 23, Karate at Jaiaw Lumpyllon Indoor Sports Hall from April 20 to 22, Archery at J.N. Sports Complex, Cricket Ground from April 21 and 22, Athletic at J.N. Sports Complex from April 21 to 23, Football at first, second and third Ground Polo from April 20 to 23, Badminton at Tirot Singh Indoor Sports Hall from April 20 to 23, Basketball at J. N. Sports Complex, Basketball Court from April 20 to 23 and Table Tennis at Nongthymmai Indoor Sports Hall from April 20 and 22.

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