Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 116/22

STATE LEVEL CUM SENSITIZATION ORIENTATION PROGRAMME ON PARIKSHA PARV 4.0 ON 26.04.2022

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights with the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Meghalaya in collaboration with the Asia Foundation and New India Junction today organised the State Level cum Sensitization Orientation Programme on Pariksha Parv 4.0 at the State Convention Centre, Shillong. Shri Metbah Lyngdoh, Speaker, Meghalaya Legislative Assembly attended the programme as the Chief Guest and Shri Kyrmen Shylla, Minister in-charge Social Welfare Department Government of Meghalaya as the Guest of honour.

Addressing as the Chief Guest, Shri Metbah Lyngdoh expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the initiative of Pariksha Parv campaign. He said that the new idea to celebrate the festival of examinations is ideal and through the Pariksha Parv, the students can remove the stress and anxiety of examinations. Professional role is vital in undertaking tests, observation and writing skills of students, which will go a long way in reducing their stress. He urged upon the teacher’s community to help the children to become mentally stronger and enable them to take their responsibility and become better citizens of the future. The Speaker also urged upon everyone to become champions of Child Rights and also learn more about Child Right.

During the programme the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour distributed the “Exam Warriors”, a book authored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the school students. Other dignitaries attending the programme included Ms Iamon M Syiem, Chairperson SCPCR, Meghalaya, Smt Rupali Banerjee Singh, Member Secretary NCPCR, Dr Sujatha Sathpathy, Professor, Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, AIIMS New Delhi, Dr Jyotsna Bharadwaj, Faculty for Diploma in Guidance and Counselling course, Department of Educational Psychology and Foundations of education, NCERT among others.

Press Release No. 117/22

ANNA YOJANA AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM HELD AT FCI, TURA ON 26.04.2022

As part of the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Campaign” across the country, the Food Corporation of India (FCI), Nazing Bazaar, Tura had organised a program to mark the successful implementation of Pradhan Mantri Gareeb Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) in Garo Hills district today afternoon at its Food Storage Depot at Nazing Bazaar, Tura.

Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills Ram Singh recalled that at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic and simultaneous announcement of lockdown across the country has brought different challenges to the people of the region, but again with the immediate issuance of free distribution of PMGKAY rice for the economically backward sections of the society by the Government of India had immensely benefitted the people. He reiterated that the world’s largest free food grain distribution plan has provided free food grains to the people all over the country during the pandemic so that no citizen is left hungry

He further expressed his appreciation and gratitude to all the government machinery including the wholesalers and Fair Price Shop dealers for rendering selfless service in timely lifting and distribution of the food grains to the beneficiaries successfully.

The Sub-Inspector, Food Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department, Baghmara S N Sangma also highlighted on the significance of the theme of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” and the distribution of PMGKAY free ration for the people of the country.

During the program, a short film on the Food Corporation of India, its storage and operation were presented for better understanding of the participants.

Sub-Inspector, FCS & CA, Dadenggre T Ch Marak, Sub-Inspector, FCS & CA, Ampati S R Marak, Depot Incharge, Food Storage Depot at Food Corporation of India, Nazing Bazaar, Tura S Basumatary were among others who spoke on the occasion while officials and staff of FCI and FCS & CA, wholesalers, fair price shop dealers, Tura attended the function.

Press Release No. 118/22

TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION ORGANIZES PROMOTIONAL EVENT AT TURA ON 26.04.2022

A promotional event featuring top tennis players of India was organized by Tura Table Tennis Association (TTTA) in collaboration with the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Govt. of Meghalaya and the Table Tennis Association of Meghalaya at Indoor Sports Hall, Tura, on 26 April with Tura MP, Agatha K Sangma, as the chief guest and the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, as the guest of honor.

Speaking at the event, Agatha said that sports have become really a very important aspect of people’s lives and recognition that have been given to sportsmen and sportswomen is something very important and well deserved. Stating that sports facilities in Meghalaya too are being upgraded to give platform to the children, she said that having the national and international tennis players here in Tura will boost the morale of the budding tennis players of the region. She also informed that the PA Sangma Stadium which is coming up at Tura is something which is of international standard.

During the promotional event, the star table tennis players of the country like Sharat Kamal Achanta, Reeth Rishya, Archana Kamath, Sanil Shetty and Kamlesh Mehta, who have been representing India at international level, played the exhibition matches with the players from Meghalaya and Suranjit Dey and Tanusree, the players from the state, displayed their extraordinary skills while playing with the star players.

The Principal of Tura Govt. College and the President of TTTA, Terence D Marak, while delivering the welcome address, highlighted the achievements of TTTA and also read out the brief history of the association which was formed in 1982.

Press Release No. 119/22

CHIEF MINISTER CONFERS THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD TO LEGENDARY MUSICIAN LOU MAJAW ON 26.04.2022

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday conferred the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ to legendary musician Lou Majaw during the launch of the unique initiative to promote music in the State – “Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project”.

Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project is a unique programme of the Government that will recognise and promote music talents. Under this initiative, the State Government will support gigs and music shows across the State. It will also provide a platform for the musicians to showcase their musical talents. Through the programme, the Government will also support artists for tours outside the State.

Some of the unique features of this intervention are – the street performance platform, wherein artistes will perform in different public spaces being created by the Government and the music café platform, wherein artistes will get the opportunity to perform in different cafés across the State.

Speaking at the launch, the Chief Minister said, “We conceptualized this programme to encourage and provide a platform to our musicians and link it up with tourism.”

Stressing on the need to further leverage the music scene in the State, which is branded as the ‘Rock Capital of India’, the Chief Minister said that through this unique programme, the State Government will launch a series of events of different genres, which will be promoted to attract tourists in the State.

“We strongly believe that the youth of our State will be engaged through this programme. The project will give them the opportunity to unleash their musical talents,” the Chief Minister added.

He further said that the project will ensure a positive change in the mindset of the youth, who will take up music as a career. “We are trying to create a positive environment for musicians and music lovers. The youth can be engaged productively through this programme,” he stressed.

Press Release No. 120/22

CHIEF MINISTER LAUNCHES GINGER MISSION ON 26.04.2022

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday launched the flagship programme – “Ginger Mission” in presence of Agriculture Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh at Integrated Agriculture Training Centre, Shillong. The mission aims to double the ginger production in the State to at least 1.5 lakh MT per annum in the next three years from its current production of about 60,000 MT per annum. Through the mission, the Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare will introduce improved and high yielding varieties of ginger like – IISR Mahima, IISR Varada and Nadia (which is currently being grown widely in the State). Through the mission about 50,000 farmers will be benefited and the area of production will be increased from 10,000 ha to 12,500 ha. Apart from introducing high yielding and improved varieties of ginger, the mission imparts training to farmers on the Package of Practices (POP) and the latest production technology, collectivization and aggregation, processing of ginger and market linkage.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, the Chief Minister said that the objective of Ginger Mission was to improve the overall earnings of the farmers in the State. He said that in the past several programmes for farmers welfare were introduced, however, the objective to enhance farmers' earning was not achieved. “Through Ginger Mission and other flagship farmers’ programmes, the Government has designed a dedicated road map to ensure that farmers' incomes were doubled,” he stressed. Stating that the Government has been consistently working for the welfare of the farmers through different interventions, he said, “As Government we have realized that 70 percent of the population in the State are into farming and it is incumbent on us that we introduce initiatives that directly and indirectly enable our farmers to reap its benefit.” He further informed that through Ginger Mission, the Government will create logistic hubs and storage spaces and as well as connect the farmers to bigger markets and buyers. “Government will ensure that all verticals related to introduction of improved seed varieties, training, production and marketing linkage are taken care of to ensure maximum output,” he added.

He also said that the indigenous variety “Sying Makhir” which is highly medicinal will also be promoted through this programme. “Our local variety of ginger Ing Makhir has medicinal properties and through this mission we will ensure its development and promotion”, he said.

He informed that Rs. 121 cr has been earmarked for the mission for a period of three years and by the end of the mission, the Government is confident that Meghalaya would become the third largest producer of ginger in the country.

It may be noted that the Government would be spending about Rs. 18 Crores in the first year to procure 2,200 MT on quality planting materials and will be distributed freely to about 9000 farmers this year covering about 400 Villages. About Rs. 6 Crores on Package of Practices, Training to farmers etc. 30 new processing units will be set up across the state at an estimated amount of Rs. 7.5 Crores. About Rs. 1 crore will be spent on Marketing for ginger, Creating packaging units to enable selling it to the final consumers etc.

During the launch, he also handed over the improved varieties of ginger samples to the farmers, who attended the programme.