Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 255/10

20TH FOUNDATION DAY OF SAN-KER CELEBRATED

Shillong, June 09, 2010: “The secret of longevity of an individual is to have a sound mind and a sound body, but the most important is the mind because if you can mind the mind, the body will mind itself,” said the Governor of Meghalaya, Mr. R S Mooshahary, while speaking as the Chief Guest at the Thanksgiving Function to celebrate the 20th Foundation Day of SAN-KER at Mawlai Mawroh, Shillong today, the 9th June, 2010.

While commending on the humanitarian service that the management and staff of SAN-KER has rendered to persons with mental illness, the Governor said that 20 years of selfless service rendered by the institution speaks volume of the strong foundation and a farsighted vision and mission of Dr. S Syiem and his team who have propelled the institution to its present status. While wishing all those who have devoted their lives to the treatment and care of those who suffer from mental illness and who work daily in this valuable and important cause, Mr. Mooshahary called upon every responsible citizens to assist and help the patients in coping with their environment, whether directly or indirectly, because persons with mental illness do better when they have healthy supportive relationships.

While highlighting on child trafficking which is the theme of this year’s Souvenir, the Governor said that child trafficking is a most heinous crime and it impacts the mentality of a child leading them to an unstable mind. He added that it not only affects the psyche of the children but leaves them emotionally shattered which in turn leads to listlessness and depression. Therefore he called upon every responsible citizens to work together to address this issue which is prevalent across the globe even in the State of Meghalaya.

Padma Shree Queenie Rynjah, while speaking as the Guest of Honour, congratulated Dr. Syiem for his daring enterprise to venture to such a noble cause and to contribute to the society through selfless service. She lauded the management of staff of SAN-KER for their vision of thoughts to help those who succumb to the evils of substance abuse and others and to transform them into productive members of the family and the society as a whole. Lamenting on the prevalence of child trafficking, she said that it is our duty as citizens to offer help and encourage the people especially the youth to shun evil deeds and be part of a civilized society and she also called upon the people to help in the endeavour of SAN-KER in creating awareness on the ill effects of child trafficking and how to eradicate this menace.

The Managing Trustee, SAN-KER Charitable Trust, in his welcome speech, said that the institution is and continues to remain a place where love and compassion is foremost and where the patient is of prime importance as has been reflected in the institution’s motto “- by love, serve one another.” He informed the gathering that since humanitarian considerations are foremost, the management realised that it cannot become a commercial organisation and this resulted in the creation of the SAN-KER Charitable Trust recently to manage SAN-KER as a not-for-profit Institution. Dr. Syiem also informed the gathering that for the last 20 years, SAN-KER has provided treatment to about 8000 in-patients where during the last two years alone, that is ending 2009, there are 426 in-patients and out of this 246 are psychiatric patients and 180 are patients suffering from substance abuse disorders. Till ending 2009, there are 15600 out-patients and 34 who attended the day care facility.

Later, a souvenir on the theme “Child Trafficking” was released by the Governor. Earlier, a thanksgiving function was held wherein Rev. Dr. J F Jyrwa, Senior Executive Secretary, Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Assembly led the gathering in prayer and after the end of the function, Most Rev. Dominic Jala, Archbishop Shillong Archdiocese offered the benediction.

In recognition to their selfless and noble service, the Governor also presented the awards to staff who have work with the institution for more than 10 years. A song presented by the inmates of the institution was the other highlight of the day .

Press Release No. 256/10

QUEENS BATON RELAY TO ARRIVE IN THE STATE CAPITAL ON JULY 21 2010

Shillong, June 09, 2010: In connection with the Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi, the Under Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Sports and Youth Affairs Department has informed that the Queen’s Baton Relay will arrive in Meghalaya on July 21, 2010 and the route details is mentioned below.

The Baton Relay will arrive at Byrnihat from Kaziranga (Assam) at 10:00 AM and will leave Byrnihat for Nongpoh at 10:30 AM. From Nongpoh, the Baton Relay will leave at 11:15 AM for Lad Umsaw (Umiam Lake) and from 12:15 PM will leave Lad Umsaw for Old Lake View Site and then on to Banalari Show Room (Mawlai Umthlong) at 12:40 PM. From 1:15 PM, the Baton Relay will leave Banalari Show Room for Mawlai Secretariat at Mawlai Phudmuri and will proceed to PTS Golf Link at 1:45 PM. At 2:25 PM, the Baton Relay will leave PTS for JN Sports Complex, Polo Ground and at 3:50 PM will leave JN Sports Complex for Ward’s Lake and at 4:00 PM the Relay will leave Ward’s Lake via Raj Bhavan-BSNL-IGP-Main Secretariat and will arrive at Soso Tham Auditorium at 4:30 PM.

The main function to be held at the Auditorium from 4:40 PM will include speech, felicitation and cultural programme.

Press Release No. 257/10

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO NGOS, VAS

Shillong, June 09, 2010: The District Planning Officer and Member Secretary, District Level Empowered Committee, West Garo Hills, Tura has invited proposals for financial assistance from Non-Governmental organizations (NGOs) and Voluntary Agencies (VAs) of West Garo Hills.

In a communiqué, the District Planning Officer has stated that application are invited from NGOs and VAs of West Garo Hills for consideration of providing financial assistance from the Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) of the Planning Department, Meghalaya, for the year 2009-10 in accordance with the approved guidelines. The communiqué states that financial assistance under the scheme for the year 2009-10 would include some activities such as short term training, short term seminars, workshop etc. Financial assistance to be sanctioned to the individual NGOs or VAs will further depend on the merit and nature of the scheme it stated.

The proposal of NGOs or VAs will be scrutinized and sanctioned by the District Level Empowered Committee and the guidelines and formats for submission or proposals can be obtained from the District Planning Officer (Deputy Commissioner’s Office Building), West Garo Hills, Tura, during office hours and submitted on or before July 15, 2010. The District Planning Officer has strictly stated that no proposals would be entertained after the fixed date mentioned above.