Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 311/11

INNOVATIVE TEACHING PRACTICES TRAINING HELD

Shillong, June 21, 2011: The North Eastern Council (NEC), Shillong today organized a two months training programme on Innovative Teaching Practices to 100 students of Meghalaya at its Auditorium at Nongrim Hills, Shillong. The programme was inaugurated by the Secretary, NEC, Mr. U K Sangma in the presence of the Principal Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Education Department, Mr. P S Thangkhiew, Director, HRD in charge I&PR (NEC), Ms. Sherry Lalthangzo beside others.

The pilot project has been taken up to primarily help and assist the students of class XII of the North Eastern Region in preparing for various competitive entrance exams especially for engineering courses. It is as online course to be imparted through AASANKA from Mumbai and depending on the successfulness of this pilot project the course will be made available to the students of other North Eastern Region. Meghalaya is the first State in the North East to have this project. The participating school includes St. Mary’s College, Shillong, Government Boy’s Higher Secondary School, Jowai, Government Boy’s Higher Secondary School, Shillong, Pine Mount School, Shillong and St. Anthony’s Higher Secondary School, Shillong.

In his inaugural speech, Mr. Sangma said that the pilot project will be extended to all the students of Class XII of all the North Eastern Region, adding that if the project is successful then the NEC will also impart this training to class XI students. He also informed that the top three students who are currently undergoing this training will be awarded with a laptop and a free internet connection. He expressed hope that this project will help students in their endeavor in successfully clearing exams and getting into top colleges.

Others who spoke on the occasion include Principal Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Education Department, Mr. P S Thangkhiew, Director, HRD in charge I&PR (NEC), Ms. Sherry Lalthangzo.

Press Release No. 312/11

MSOA TO ORGANIZE RUN AND WALK

Shillong, June 21, 2011: As part of the celebration of Olympic Day 2011 which is the anniversary of the creation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) at the University of the Sorbonne in Paris, France on June 23, 2011, the Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA) is organizing the Run and Walk (Non-competitive) on June 25, 2011.

The Run and Walk will start at 7:30 AM from Madan Iewrynghep, Laitumkhrah to Dhankheti-Malki Point-Barik-IGP-Meghalaya Secretariat-DC’s office to Police Bazar, Pegasus Hotel-Old High Court-Apex Bank-Raj Bhavan along the Ward’s Lake Road-BSNL Colony towards Polo Towers-Polo Market and terminate at the JN Sports Complex, Polo Grounds.

The MSOA invites people from all walks of life, young and old to take part in this programme. Detailed information can be obtained from the office of the MSOA, U Tirot Sing Indoor Sports Hall, Lower Lachumiere, Shillong.

Press Release No. 317/11

WORLD BLOOD DONORS DAY OBSERVED

Shillong, June 22, 2011: An elaborate program with the theme “More Blood, More Lives”, observing World Blood Donors Day was today, organised by the Blood Bank, Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre (ICTC), Tura Civil Hospital and Red Ribbon Club, Don Bosco College in collaboration with Meghalaya Aids Control Society and State Blood Transfusion Council, Shillong at Tura Don Bosco College premises.

Mr. E. P. Kharbih, Executive Chairman, MBOSE graced the occasion as the Chief Guest while the Rector, Don Bosco College, Tura attended the gathering as the Guest of Honor. Delivering the welcome address Dr. M. A. Sangma, Superintendent, Tura Civil Hospital informed that World Blood Donors Day was usually observed on 14th June but due to unavoidable circumstances it had to be postponed.

In his speech as the Chief Guest, Mr. Kharbih while urging upon the young generation to wake up to life stressed upon the need to keep oneself healthy. It is important to keep one fit and healthy in order to be helpful to others, he said adding that good health was a gift not to be squandered away through unhealthy practices. Stating that walking was the best exercise ever, he urged everyone present to stay healthy lives and become a boon to others.

Stressing on the importance of Blood and its voluntary donation Mr. Tejan A. Momin, Professor, Tura Government College gave a dramatic power point presentation. He informed that blood transfusion was necessary not only for persons undergoing operations but also for people who were suffering from grave ailments or have lost blood through serious wounds. Mr. Momin, while giving a brief presentation on the statistics of donated blood reserves in different blood banks of the country said that there was dire need of more blood so as to meet the needs of the country.

A brief but deliberate awareness talk on HIV and AIDS was given by Dr. Bichitrani Marak, i/c ICTC wherein she focused on several aspects dreaded disease. She informed that there were 40 (forty) registered HIV positive cases in Garo Hills and around 400 (four hundred) cases in Meghalaya. Later Dr. Marak stressed on the importance of cross referencing between the RNTCP and ICTC to efficiently detect HIV positive cases.

The programme was attended by Doctors from Tura Civil Hospital, Lecturers from Don Bosco and Tura Government College, members of the Red Ribbon Club, Don Bosco College and the State Blood Transfusion, Shillong.

Press Release No. 319/11

NONGSPUNG WATER SUPPLY SCHEME INAUGURATED

Shillong, June 23, 2011: Meghalaya Minister for PHE etc, Mr. Shitlang Pale today inaugurated the Nongspung Water Supply Scheme at Syiemlieh village under Nongspung constituency in the presence of Minister for Home, Mr. H D R Lyngdoh, Minister for Social welfare, Mr. J A Lyngdoh who is also the local MLA, nominated MDC, Mr. K Khyriem, engineers from the PHE department beside others.

In his speech, Mr. Pale lauded the untiring effort of the PHE department for fulfilling the dreams of the people of the area. He further said that the Government is doing its best in providing safe drinking water to the people of the State. He also urged upon the people to work hand in hand with the government for overall development of the area and the State as a whole. He also informed that the scheme was sanctioned in the year 2009 at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.5 crores.

Home Minister, Mr. H D R Lyngdoh in his speech said that with the implementation of the new water scheme, the whole of Nongspung area will get adequate water supply which will help the local populace of the area. He also said that the local MLA and the PHE department have done a tremendous job in providing safe drinking water to the people of the area.

Minister for Social Welfare Mr. J A Lyngdoh who is also the local MLA, said that with the implementation of the scheme the people of the area will have abundant water supply. He further urged upon the people to work and cooperate with different department for the development of the area.

Others who spoke on the occasion included nominated MDC, Mr. K Khyriem, SDO PHE Department and BDO of the area.

Press Release No. 323/11

MUNICIPAL ELECTION

Shillong, June 27, 2011: The Principal Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Urban Affairs Department has informed that the Election to the Municipality of Baghmara will be held on 6th August, 2011, while the date for counting of votes will be held on 09th August, 2011. He further informed that the date of publication of draft electoral roll will take place on 27.06.2011, the last date for filing of claims and objections will be held on 04.07.2011. Last date of disposal of claims and objection will take place on 11.07.2011, while the final publication of electoral roll will be on 15.07.2011.

He further informed that first date for filing of nomination will take place on 15.07.2011 and the last date for filing of nomination will be on 20.07.2011. The date of scrutiny of nomination papers will be held on 21.07.2011 from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm, while the date of publication of validly nominated candidates will take place on 21.07.2011 from 4.00 pm onwards. The last date of withdrawal of candidature will be on 27.07.2011 and the date of allotment of symbols will be held on 27.07.2011 after 3.00 pm. The date of publication of list of contesting candidates will be held 27.07.2011, while the last date of campaigning will be on 04.08.2011 upto 4.00 pm, while the date of re-poll, if any will be held on 08.08.2011.

Press Release No. 324/11

NEW TERMINAL BUILDING OF THE SHILLONG AIRPORT AT UMROI INAUGURATED

The New Terminal Building of the Shillong Airport at Umroi is being inaugurated today by the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Mr Vayalar Ravi in the presence of the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr Mukul Sangma, Union Minister of State for Water Resource, Mr Vincent H Pala, Transport Minister, Mr A T Mondal and the Chairman of Airport Authority of India, Mr V P Agarwal among others.

The New Terminal Building of the Shillong Airport at Umroi has been constructed on a modular concept with all modern passenger facilities at a cost of Rs 30 Crores with financial aid of the Ministry of DONER. It has an area of about 5900 sq.m which is suitable to handle about 200 passengers. The building has all passenger friendly amenities for the comfort of the passengers.

Dr Mukul Sangma in his speech said that it is a momentous occasion for the State of Meghalaya and its people. He appreciated that the terminal building was completed in time without any time and cost overrun. He said the government is contemplating on giving subsidy to private operators who were interested in operating flights from the two airports in the state. Land is being acquisitioned for expanding the Baljek airport in Garo hills. It will be handed over to AAI soon for up-gradation, Dr. Sangma said. He also handed over to Shri V Ravi the land documents measuring 214.16 acres to be developed by AAI for further expansion of the existing infrastructure.

Union MoS for water resources Vincent H Pala too expressed happiness at today’s development while making a special mention of the local villages in the area who extended all support in the endeavour of the government. Pala appealed to the state government to waive off tax on turbine fuel so as to attract more airlines to stopover and refuel at Shillong airport thereby attracting more flights to the state.

Union Civil Aviation Minister, Mr V Ravi in his speech lauded the Government of Meghalaya for having facilitated in acquiring 214.16 acres of land free of cost which was handed over to the AAI free of cost for further development and expansion of the airport especially in extending the runway and making it capable of handling Airbus 320 type of aircraft.

While informing that India is the 9th largest civil aviation market in the world and the 4th largest in terms of domestic passenger volume, Mr Ravi said that civil aviation in the country has grown by leaps and bounds and presently the sector can handle 235 million passengers. He said that the sector is contributing to the economy through employment, income, foreign exchange earnings, trade and exports and it is the catalyst of economic growth. He also informed that the Ministry of Civil Aviation through the Airport Authority of India has embarked upon developing about 60 Airports across the country covering most of the States including Meghalaya. He also expressed confidence that the air traffic will increase through Shillong Airport and it will contribute to the growth and development of the State of Meghalaya .

Among others who spoke on the occasion were the StateTransport Minister, Mr A T Mondal and the Chairman, Airport Authority of India, Mr V P Agarwal