Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 236/19

JEEVAN RAKSHA PADAK AWARD 2018

Jeevan Raksha Padak Award 2018 was conferred to Shri Khrawboklang Kharlukhi of Mawryngkeng village, East Khasi Hills District today in a felicitation programme held at the Deputy Commissioner Office, East Khasi Hills, Shillong. The Award which comprises of certificate, medal and a cash award of Rs.1 lakh was handed over by Shri Abhishek Bhagotia, Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills. It may be mentioned here that on 25th March, 2017 Shri Khrawboklang Kharlukhi saved a Class I student, Shri Rolandroy Lawai from drowning in Umnamlang river which falls under Mawryngkneng C&RD Block. The Jeevan Raksha Padak Award is awarded for meritorious acts of humane nature in saving the life of a person in incidents like drowning, accidents, fire incidents, electrocution, landslides, animal attack and rescue operation in mines, etc.

Press Release No. 237/19

INTENSIFIED DIARRHOEA CONTROL FORTNIGHT LAUNCHED

With the aim to intensify efforts to reduce child deaths due to diarrhoea, Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) was launched today at Ganesh Das Hospital, Shillong. Shri. P. W. Ingty, Additional Chief Secretary, i/c Health and Family Welfare, Government of Meghalaya graced the occasion as the Chief Guest in the presence of Shri. P Bakshi, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare cum Mission Director, NHM, Government of Meghalaya, Shri L. M. Pdah, Director of Health Services, (MCH&FW) cum Joint Director NHM, Government of Meghalaya and a host of officials from the Health Department. This two week long nationwide drive focuses on mobilising health personnel, State Governments and other stakeholders to prioritize investment in control of diarrhoea and aims to create mass awareness about the most effective and low-cost diarrhoea treatment - a combination of Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS) solution and Zinc tablets.

Speaking as the Chief Guest on the occasion, Shri. P Ingty informed that 10 percent of childhood death in the country is related to diarrhoea and diarrhoea is the 2nd highest cause of childhood death in the state of Meghalaya. Therefore, both the Central and State Governments all over the country are committed to work hand in hand to eradicate childhood death due to diarrhoea so as to reduce the infant mortality rate in the nation as a whole. While stating that numerous activities have been chalked out throughout the State, Shri. Ingty called upon all stake holders to priorities IDCF during their fortnight activities.

Shri. P Bakshi while stressing on the need to protect children against diarrhoea, stated that under IDCF free zinc tablets and ORS will be distributed to households with under 5 years old children and awareness programmes for parents on ways to handle cases of diarrhoea in children will be conducted. He also informed that a Rotavirus Vaccine will be introduced by the Government of India and this is expected to reduce child mortality by decreasing the incidence of severe diarrhoea and the frequency of death from diarrhoeal disease.

Dr. Y Shabong, Paediatrician, Ganesh Das Hospital provided a demonstration on the preparation of ORS and the use of Zinc tablets. She also stated adopting healthy habits like hand washing, consuming safe drinking water, maintain sanitation as well as having proper nutrition will go a long way in preventing the occurrence of diarrhoea.

Press Release No. 238/19

MEGHALAYA MUGA MISSION LAUNCHED

Chief Minister, Shri Conrad K. Sangma launched the ‘Meghalaya Muga Mission’ at a function held at the State Convention Centre in Shillong today. Speaking at the launch programme the Chief Minister said the North Eastern region has a rich history and culture attached to ‘muga silk’ and the identity of the region as a silk producing province goes back centuries. He said that with the launch of the Muga Missiojn, muga silk production in the State would receive the much needed leverage and direction with a funding of close to 130 crores from multiple sources over a period of five years. “Right until now our farmers mostly have been producing the raw silk, which is mostly sold to our neighbouring State of Assam. Increasing the production and ensuring value addition to the available resources in the form of finished products will greatly improve the economic status of muga farmers and also fuel growth in the State’s GDP”, he said.

Market tie up with industry partners, fashion houses and designers would give a major fillip to muga farmers with the increase in demand of muga silk from Meghalaya, he said. Acknowledging the importance of agriculture and the allied sector as a major source for economic growth, the Chief Minister said that the government is keen to implement the right policies and programmes for the progress of the primary sector. “All the mission mode programs such as the Jackfruit Mission, Milk Mission and other initiatives have allowed us to focus on specific targets to be achieved in a time bound manner. Most of these initiatives have already started to bear great results”, he added.

Speaking at length about the importance of branding the Chief Minister underlined the need to embark on a “massive branding exercise” to market the muga silk and also other locally produced goods to make into a unique proposition to buyers and come out on top in the face of stiff competition. The Chief Minister also informed the gathering that the government would soon roll out ‘MeghaMart’, an online platform to facilitate the sale and purchase of products sourced from local entrepreneurs. The government has already prepared a database comprising 2000 enterprises and more than 10,000 products that will be available through the website. It will be the ‘Amazon for Made in Meghalaya products’, the Chief Minister added.

Stating that the Government will soon come out with the procurement policy making it mandatory for government departments to source certain amount of their supplies from local entrepreneurs, the Chief Minister said that the online platform would provide easy access to locally produced goods for buyers.

Earlier during his address Addl. Chief Secretary, Shri K.N. Kumar said that of the 108 metric tons of muga silk produced in the country Meghalaya with annual production of 30 metric tons, accounted for a fifth of the total national production. He informed that most of the raw silk is sold to neighbouring State of Assam which has over the years positioned itself as the geographically indicated region for muga silk leading to a huge price mark up for the same in Assam. The value realisation is very small in our State with most of the muga farmers living on subsistence while huge profits are pocketed by the middlemen and the retail marketers. It is a loss of opportunity for Meghalaya and its farmers, he added. He said that the government has charted out a roadmap for implementation of the Mission and an investment of around 130 crores will be made in the next five years for area expansion, development of critical infrastructure, building of human capital and significant inputs for developing final finished products including its sale and marketing.

He said that the target output in the next four to five years would be 43 metric tons a significant increase of 13 metric tons with monetary production value of the raw resources valued at around 50 to 70 crores. Value addition to the raw silk would increase the production value to around 200 to 300 crores, he further added. He also informed the gathering that a Muga Farmers’ Training Centre would be set up at Resubelpara, North Garo Hills to facilitate scientific training and equip the farmers with the necessary skill sets. The Meghalaya Muga Mission Document was also released by the Chief Minister during the function.