Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 140/08

STATE OFFICE OF RRC AND SENSITIZATION WORKSHOP ON CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT INAUGURATED

A State Office of Regional Resource Centre (RRC) on Cluster Development was inaugurated today at Shillong by the Commissioner & Secretary, Industries, Government of Meghalaya, Mr. Arindam Som. Present on the occasion as Guests of Honour were Mr. K Moses Chalai, PCDS, NERCORMP, Mr. D K Arengh, Director of Industries and Mr. K Ahmed, Director, Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati. The function was largely attended by officials from the Industries Department, Financial Institutions, leading NGOs and Bankers from across the State.

It is worth mentioning here that the micro, small and medium enterprises’ clusters are being developed to enhance production based and improved competitiveness, identify new markets, trigger growth, attain economies of scale, create new employment opportunities, and address regional economic imbalances. In this direction, the Government of India has initiated to set up a Regional Resource Centre (RRC) at Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati to propagate cluster development approach in North East India spatially more earnestly. The RRC would have its Nodal Office in the premises of IIE in Guwahati with State Centres in the seven States of North Eastern Region with a holistic approach towards capacity building, providing handholding support and devising policy interventions in sustainable cluster development. The State Office of RRC for the State of Meghalaya would be located at Pahamsyiem, Nongpoh, Ri Bhoi District.

In his inauguration speech, Mr. Som emphasized upon the role that clusters can play in maneuvering the industrial development strategies in North East India in general and the State of Meghalaya in particular. Lauding the efforts of IIE in this direction, he said that development of 40 clusters during the XIth Five Year Plan across the eight state of North East India would go a long way in adding to the efforts of the region in integrating with the national and global economy.

In his welcome address, Mr. K Ahmed, Director, IIE dwelt upon the importance and need for cluster approach to development and growth. Further, he shredded light on the role of IIE on cluster development in North East India thus far, and the future role of the Regional Resource Centre on cluster development.

Mr. D K Arengh, Director, Industries, Government of Meghalaya, in his brief speech, extended full cooperation from the Industries Department to make the cluster development initiative a successful one.

Press Release No. 141/08

DSC WRITTEN TEST EXAMINATIONS

The Secretary, District Selection Committee (DSC), West Khasi Hills District, Nongstoin has informed that the dates for the Written Test Examination for the post of Lady Supervisors is on 24.5.2008, Tracer on 31.6.2008, Sectional Assistant on 7.6.2008, LDA on 14.6.2008 and Gram Sevak on 21.6.2008.

Calling Letters have already been sent by post to the respective addresses of the candidates. Therefore, candidates who have paid the examination fees are directed to contact/collect the admit cards before the date of exams from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills District, Nongstoin during office hours.

Press Release No. 142/08

SPECIAL INTERACTIVE PROGRAMME HELD

“A balanced diet helps a person to have a sound body, physically, mentally and spiritually”, said Mrs. M Kharkongor, CDPO, ICDS, Sohra, while speaking as a main resource person at a one day Special Interactive Programme (SIP) on the theme “Health is Wealth”, held on May 08, 2008 at the premises of the Mawsahew PHC, Sohra, East Khasi Hills District. Organized by the office of the Sub-Divisional Public Relations Officer, Sohra, the programme was attended by the general public of Mawsahew and its adjoining areas.

Mrs. Kharkongor, in her speech on Nutrition, said that people, especially infants and children, should consume food which has nutritious components like fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, iron etc, for a good and sound health. Stressing on the importance of a balanced diet, Mrs. Kharkongor said that a balanced diet makes a person healthy and in turns a healthy body can resist all type of viruses affecting a person’s health.

Other speakers of the day included Dr. B Nongbri, SDM & HO, Ms. B Marbaniang, Public Health Nurse (PHN) who delivered a lecture on Diarrhoea, Ms. F Syiemlieh, Health Education on Malaria and Ms. J Lyngdoh, Block Extension Education on Sanitation.

Free medical camp was also held on the day where about 200 people, including women and children were examined and medicines were provided to them free of cost.

Press Release No. 143/08

DISTRICT LEVEL INTER SCHOOL ATHLETIC MEET CONCLUDES

A three day District Level Inter School Athletic Meet, organized by the Office of the District Sports Officer, West Khasi Hills, Nongstoin culminated on May 8, 2008 at the Nongpathar Outdoor Stadium, Nongstoin. The Extra Assistant Commissioner, Mrs. D M Suja was the Chief Guest at the valedictory function.

Speaking on the occasion, Mrs. Suja lauded the efforts of the Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Nongstoin for organizing the Meet for the benefit of the school children in the District. She also said that the objective of organizing the meet is to bring unity and brotherhood amongst the children besides making them relax over the burden of work loads in schools.

It may be mentioned that 18 schools from across the District participated in the Meet, which has been divided into three categories, the Under-18, Under-16 and Under-14. St. Peter’s Higher Secondary School, Pyndengrei with 162 points emerged as overall champion in the Meet.

The day ended with distribution of prizes to the winners of various events by the Chief Guest.

It may be mentioned that the Meet which started on May 6, 2008, was inaugurated by the Deputy Chairman of KHADC and local MDC of Nongstoin, Mr. N Nongdkhar.