Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 92/22

CHIEF MINISTER DISTRIBUTES M-TABS TO STUDENTS

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday said that around 35,000 students will receive M-Tabs (PC tablet), a programme that aims to empower higher secondary students with digital learning aid.

Speaking to students from different schools of East Khasi Hills at U Soso Tham Auditorium here, the Chief Minister said that the Government is aware of the importance of digital learning and has made its endeavour to reach out to the students.Reminding the gathering on his interaction with a student in a rural school, wherein a student was spending time in a ‘smart classroom’, he said that the student was sitting in the classroom with the hope he will get smart, without using the technology and the interface that was available for learning.

“So, my message is very simple. You have to actually use the technology, sitting idly in a classroom will not make you smart”, he said while urging the students to utilise the M-Tabs for learning. “Technology is as good as you use it. If you simply think that you will be able to take this tablet and hold it, and put it in your bag and you will get smarter and automatically you can learn. This is not happening, so you have to learn to use and take advantage of the device,” he added.

Terming that digital learning is very important, he said, “Technology is going to help you in many ways that you can't imagine. So, therefore, please do use it in the best way possible, to ensure that you are able to really get the best out of it”. He told the gathering that to ensure better internet connectivity in the State, the Government will soon launch the State wide Area Network wherein academic institutions across the State will be able to access better connectivity.

The Chief Minister along with IT & Communication Minister Hamletson Dohling distributed M-Tabs to students from various schools of East Khasi Hills during the occasion.

Press Release No. 93/22

PASSING OUT PARADE OF THE 50TH BATCH BASIC COURSE TRAINEES AT NORTH EASTERN POLICE ACADEMY

578 trainee officers in the rank of Sub Inspectors of Police, including 178 lady trainee officers, belonging to Assam Police have passed out of North Eastern Police Academy on successful completion of 50th batch of basic course – the largest ever batch in the history of NEPA since its inception in the year 1978. The Dikshant Parade (Passing out Parade) was held at the Parade Ground of the Academy Campus at Umsaw Village, Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya on 6th April 2022 (Wednesday) from 1400 hours. Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, reviewed the parade and commissioned these officers into active policing. Shri Deepak Kumar, IPS, Director, NEPA, administered oath to the trainees. Shri Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, IPS, the DGP Assam, blessed and congratulated the trainees. A large number of high-ranking officials from Assam & Meghalaya, special invitees, relatives of trainee officers, officers and staff of NEPA have witnessed the spectacular parade displayed by the trainee officers. These trainees, who have passed out from NEPA, came from different backgrounds and were once ordinary citizens. With many months of gruelling training, they have acquired the knowledge and competence and became professionally skilled officers. They have developed the skill and right attitude to serve the society while observing the dignity of human rights. These officers have received adequate training to perform in any kind of environment with confidence.

Dr HimantaBiswaSarma, in his address, congratulated the young officers and distributed the Trophies & Medals awarded to the trainees for their individual performance during the training period. Cadet Sub Inspector Baharul Islam, who commanded the parade, was awarded with the Governor of Meghalaya ‘Sword of Honour & NEPA Silver Medal, for being the all round best cadet. Cadet Sub Inspector Noor Neha Begum was awarded with the Chief Minister Meghalaya ‘Baton of Honour & NEPA Silver Medal’ for being best cadet in indoor subjects, while Cadet Sub Inspector Biplab Gohain received the Chief Minister Arunachal Pradesh ‘Baton of Honour & NEPA Silver Medal for being the best cadet in outdoor subjects. The B R Lall Academy Trophy & NEPA Silver Medal for exemplary conduct was bagged by Cadet Sub Inspector Mritunjoy Singha.

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, NEPA has accepted the challenge of conducting the 50th Basic Coursewith exceptionally large number of trainees. On their arrival at NEPA, trainee officers were kept in quarantine centre as per the prevailing Covid-19 protocol, and during this period essay competition, online indoor classes and yoga classes were conducted. All kinds of precautions and safety measures as per standing instructions were taken to run the course.These trainee officers had commenced their one-year basic training in the Academy with effect from 19th January 2021. The trainees were accommodated in various messes such as Kaziranga Mess, Cherrapunjee Mess, Tawang Mess, Loktak Mess, Neer Mahal Mess and KeibulLamjao Mess. All the lady officers are accommodated separately in Kaziranga Mess, and mess girls were also engaged to look after the needs of lady officers’ trainees. Considering the large number of women trainee officers in the 50th Basic Course, the Assam Government has attached few women police instructors, on the request of NEPA. These officers were trained on a well researched module approved by Bureau of Police Research and Development, Govt of India. The training curriculum of Basic Course is broadly divided into Indoor and Outdoor Subjects. The indoor syllabus comprises of three broad categories i.e. Police Science, Legal Studies, and Social Science. The outdoor syllabus includes Drill, Weapons Training, Physical Efficiency, Police Operations and Tactics. The trainees have been imparted with essential skills, knowledge and required attitude to deliver their best once they join active service. Keeping in view the present scenario of policing, many new Topics have been included in the indoor syllabus, such as National Security, Importance of Quick Response, Alertness and Reaction to Situation, Trust Deficit in Police, Crime Against Women, Revenue Records, Registration of document with Sub-Registrar, Dealing with Civil Suits and Writ Petitions, Banking Process, Preparation of Externment Proposal, Investigation of Railway crimes, Death from Starvation, Heat, Cold, Lightning and Electricity, Reading and understanding of nature of injuries mentioned in MLCs and PM Reports, Legal Aspects of Insanityand Medical Legal Aspects of Insanity.

These trainees have been fortunate to interact with eminent Guest Speakers from various Expert Organisations, Academic institutions, High ranking Police officers from Assam and Meghalaya, Serving and retired Dignitaries from all over the Nation, who have shared their vast knowledge and experience with the trainees, which will be highly beneficial for the trainees throughout their service career. The huge list of guest speakers include prominent names viz Smt. Archana Ramasundaram, IPS (Rtd), Member, Lokpal of India, Shri KuladharSaikia, IPS (Rtd) Ex-DGP Assam, Shri Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta, IPS, DGP Assam, Shri G P Singh, IPS, Spl. DGP, Assam, Dr L R Bishnoi, IPS,Spl. DGP, Assam, Dr G V Shiva Prasad, IPS, Spl. DGP, Assam, Shri Surendra Kumar, IPS, ADGP, Assam, Shri A Y V Krishna, IPS, ADGP, Assam, Prof. (Dr.) J D Sharma, Dr HSG University, Dr Sweekar Lama, Asstt Prof. SPUP, etc.

As a part of the outdoor training, the trainees underwent 6 days tactics and jungle camp where they carried out Cordon and Search Operations, Field Craft, Ambush and Counter Ambush, Raid, Seizure, etc. Driving, Swimming, Horse Riding and Yoga were also taught as a part of Basic Training. Several other Modules were also organised for the trainees, in collaboration with other organisations, such as “First Aid and Disaster Management”, “Module on Border Management”, “Fire Emergencies”, “Writing of Case Diaries and preparation of Final Reports’, etc. Awareness Programme on “Blood Donation and organ Donation” was also organized. Discussion was held on “Organization, Role, Responsibilities and Emerging challenges of the Army in the present context” with the Army Officers from 101 Area, Shillong. Besides these, they also have successfully obtained Post Graduate Diploma in “Police Administration and Investigation” by Sardar Patel University of Police, Security and Criminal Justice, Jodhpur. Introduction of Psychological Assessment Test started for the first time with 50th Basic Course trainees.

During the training period, these trainees were actively engaged in various Club Activities to build a well-rounded personality, promote team spirit and sportsmanship. The trainees were encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities through various clubs like Extempore and Debate Club, Quiz Club, Sports Club, Social Service Club, Literary Club, IT Club and Cultural Club. The trainees have organised cultural programs, Tree plantation programme, etc.,besides organising sports events such as Football Tournament, Valley ball tournament, photo exhibition, quiz competition, debate. They havepublished a magazine –‘Confluence’ which contains beautiful articles, poems, book reviews, photographs of various events, etc. The trainees were given the privilege to participate in “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” in Group Centre CRPF, Guwahati. As a part of social outreach programme, the trainees were encouraged to participate in Social Service activities such as, Blood Donation Camp, SwachhtaAbhiyaan in NEPA Campus as well as in the nearby villages.In the year 2021 NEPA has conducted several offline courses and a total of 292 police personnel and trainees have participated. Besides, the Academy also conducted 50 online courses / webinars in the year 2021, in which 1500 personnel have participated. This year in 2022 from January till date, NEPA has conducted 11 offline courses so far, where 278 police personnel and other officers have participated. Besides, the Academy has also conducted 9 online webinars and in-service courses and a total of 236 trainees have participated in these courses.

North Eastern Police Academy is one of its kind in the Country, under Ministry of Home affairs, Government of India. It is dedicated to impart training to the police personnel of the North Eastern States and also from across the country to safeguard the value of freedom - freedom from disorder, criminal acts and criminals. NEPA has done a remarkable service in bringing cohesiveness, professionalism, co-operation and uniformity among the State police forces of the N E Region.

Press Release No. 94/22

GAVI-INDIA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP 2022- 26 WORKSHOP HELD ON 06.04.2022 AT SHILLONG

The GAVI Alliance (formerly the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization) is a global health partnership of public and private sector organizations dedicated to “immunization for all”. GAVI's main objective is vaccination programs. Gavi has been the main donor funder of vaccination in low and middle income countries

Under this narrative, GAVI-INDIA Strategic Partnership 2022- 26 Workshop was held on the 6th April 2022 at Shillong Club, Shillong for 4 NE States viz Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. The programme was inaugurated by Ramkumar S. IAS, Mission Director, NHM Meghalaya. The workshop was organized by United Nation Development Programme along with NHM Meghalaya. Other Development partners involved in the programme are UNICEF, WHO, JSI and JHPIEGO. The participants included representatives from the development partners and the State and District Immunization Officers of Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

The workshop was held to discuss and delve on the consultative processes that GAVI Alliance has undertaken to bridge the immunization gaps which still exist in many parts of the country. The workshop will help the stakeholders examine and study the challenges and causes as to why there are still hurdles that exist which inhibit reaching full immunization. The focus of this GAVI Visit are on:Strong focus on demand and data, Selected supply-side interventions where Gavi funding can bring innovative approaches to scale, Focus on sustainable improvements in Routine Immunisation systems, Stronger role of community-based and civil society organisations (CSOs), esp. those focused on demand issues as well as private sector filling capacity gaps and Capacity building in national institutions

The aims and objectives of this workshop are to develop and strategize a plan on how to reach full immunization in children especially those who have never been vaccinated before using the local concepts and understanding the perspectives of the people. GAVI will support the states in achieving this goal in this five-year partnership plan from 2022-26.

Press Release No. 95/22

2ND JOINT WORKING GROUP MEETING BETWEEN NEC AND NACO ORGANIZED BY MEGHALAYA AIDS CONTROL SOCIETY

The 2nd Joint Working Group meeting between North Eastern Council (NEC) and National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) was organised by Meghalaya AIDS Control Society, Shillong on the 6th April 2022 at NEC Secretariat, Shillong. During the meeting, the main agendas discussed were the objective, functions and mechanism of HIV and AIDS programme, and the impact of HIV infections in India, especially in the Northeast region.

This meeting as envisaged will strengthen the HIV and AIDS programme through liaison, forming collaborative machinery and other functions between NEC, NACO and State AIDS Control Society of 8 North Eastern States to combat the HIV infection, stigma and discrimination, and to uplift and strengthen the community affected by HIV and AIDS.

The meeting was chaired by Shri. K Moses Chalai, IAS, Secretary, NEC and in the presence of Ms. Nidhi Kesarwani, IAS, Director, NACO, New Delhi and other prominent officials and dignitaries from NEC, NACO and Project Directors of State AIDS Control Society of the 8 North Eastern States and other officials.