Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 299/16

DIABETES AND DIABETIC RETINOPATHY SCREENING CAMP HELD

Bansara Eye Care Centre, Shillong today organised a Free Comprehensive Eye, Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Camp at Youth Hostel in the city. The Screening Camp was inaugurated by Meghalaya Governor, Shri. V.Shanmuganathan in the presence of Former Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, Shri.W.M.S Pariat, Dr. Jennifer V. Basaiawmoit, Medical Director, Bansara Eye Care Centre, Smt. Kirza B. Kirstensen,Senior Programme Manager, World Diabetes Foundation, Denmark, members of the Lions Club, Shillong, representatives of the Meghalaya Women’s Alliance from among others. The Governor in his address said that diabetes, the cause of which includes obesity and lifestyle changes, is a gateway to many other diseases while also stressing on the fact of how Diabetic Retinopathy has come to be a leading cause of blindness. Recalling first hand experiences of having seen the plight of diabetic patients, the Governor stated that he has seen cases of acquaintances whose limbs had to be amputated due to the effects of diabetes. Midway, through his speech, the Governor in his inimitable style interacted with people on and off the dais on avoidable blindness, diabetes and allied complications, as well as on the ways and means to prevent or treat them. Shri. W.M.S Pariat meanwhile stated that diabetes has come to be a problematic disease since it is an ailment with no clear symptoms, making it hard to detect the disease, further adding that it becomes essential to undergo tests from time to time in order to know if one has any signs of this disease. Smt. Kirstensen , in her speech informed that her foundation is currently supporting 200 projects worldwide with 10 percent of those projects being in India. She stated that diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in this day and age, with it, leading to complications like stroke, kidney problems, blindness and amputations. It may be mentioned that Diabetes and related complications are caused by improper diet, lack of exercise, and failure to undertake regular medical tests. It becomes important therefore, that one takes a balanced diet and undergoes regular screenings in addition to performing exercises on a daily basis in order that the disease can be avoided.

Press Release No. 300/16

FREE LPG CONNECTION FOR BPL HOUSEHOLDS

The Deputy Commissioner (Supply), West Garo Hills District, Tura has informed that the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCS), Government of India has launched a new scheme called ‘Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana’ for providing free LPG connection to women belonging to BPL households as per Socio Economic Caste Census, 2011. Further, during selection of the beneficiaries, preference will be given to SC/ST and other weaker section of the society. The BPL women who do not have LPG connection earlier in the name of the family members will be eligible for this scheme. The beneficiaries are requested to submit their applications in prescribed Proforma available at the gas agencies along with address proof documents like EPIC, Nokma documents and valid ration card during the month of July, 2016. For detailed information, the applicants are requested to contact LPG distributors during working hours.

Press Release No. 301/16

INTERNATIONAL BIODIVERSITY DAY 2016 OBSERVED

The International Biodiversity Day 2016 organized by the State Forest and Environment Department and Meghalaya Biodiversity Board (MBB) was observed today at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong on the theme ‘Mainstreaming Biodiversity, sustaining people and their livelihoods’. Shri Prestone Tynsong, Minister of Forest & Environment graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The programme was also attended by Dr. Shreeranjan, Additional Chief Secretary incharge Forest and Environment, Shri C. Budnah, PCCF & HoFF, Shri C.P. Marak, PCCF, Territorial, Shri D. Sathyan, Secretary, MBB, government officials and students. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Prestone Tynsong calls for urgent need for the conservation and protection of environment. He also appealed the institutions and students to partner with the Forest department to take the initiative of preserving the rich biodiversity of the State by way of creating awareness on various issues that’s endangering the environment. During the day, the Chief Guest felicitated the Self Help Group from Mawkyrnot village, under Pynursla C&RD Block for winning the ‘India Biodiversity Award 2016’ under the category ‘sustainable use of biological resources’ in recognition of its contribution in the promotion of root bridges and protection of their surroundings which include the longest known root bridge during the last few years. Others highlights of the day includes release of Annual Report of Meghalaya Biodiversity Board for the period 2012-2015, two books published by the Department titled ‘Checklist of Flora of Meghalaya’ and ‘Tissue Culture Studies on Some Threatened Taxa, Rare Orchids, and Medicinal Plants of Meghalaya’, biodiversity posters, short trailer documentary of the biodiversity of Mawlyngbna village followed by screening and distribution of prizes to the winners of posters and drawing competitions for schools and colleges students.

Press Release No. 304/16

INTERNATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKERS DAY CELEBRATED IN CITY

The International Domestic Workers’ Day was celebrated in a befitting manner, here at Sri Aurobindo Institute, Bivar Road in the presence of the Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma as the chief guest and Labour Minister Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh as guest of honour. The theme for the celebration was ‘Regulate Domestic Works and Recognize Domestic Workers as Workers’. Organized jointly by the North Eastern Regional Domestic Workers’ Movement (NERDWM), Meghalaya and Ferrando Domestic Workers’ Alliance (FDWA), Shillong City, the celebration saw huge participation of domestic workers from across the North East states and was also attended by Nongthymmai Legislator, Jemino Mawthoh, Director of Information & Public Relations, H.M. Shangpliang, Chairperson, Meghalaya State Women’s Commission Theilin Phanbuh, Provincial, Silchar Province, Rev.Fr. George Maliekal and Provincial, MSMHC – Shillong Province, Rev. Sr. Mary Concepta Dkhar, among many others. In his address the Chief Minister said it was a privilege to be part of the celebration and termed the domestic workers as “an indispensable part of our society”. He pointed out the difficulty of finding domestic workers in developed countries and said it was fortunate that they are still available here, adding that “it is time we give back to them for the difference they make in our society and families”. He also came up with several suggestions for empowerment of the domestic workers and for the benefit of their children. On the occasion, the Chief Minister along with other dignitaries also gave away certificates of various trainings on skill development conducted for the domestic workers. The Chief Minister called upon the departments of Labour and Social Welfare to jointly take up the responsibility to provide support to organizations working to empower the domestic workers through out-of-the-box, innovative approach involving all concerned to create the kind of environment that would benefit both the employer and the worker. He said that one crucial aspect that the Government should look at was the children of domestic workers to enable them to realize their dreams as per their potentialities. Observing that most domestic workers are also single mothers, he said: “There is a need to create a very innovative concept to ensure that all our domestic workers and all single mothers are able to send their children to schools which are capable of providing shelter and quality education. We will look at that programme which is dedicated to domestic workers and single mothers – a model programme which can be replicated in other states in the country, so that when domestic workers go to assist their employers they can have the comfort that their children are having the access to that kind of quality education to enable them to compete with the rest of younger generation”.

He also appealed to the organizations to take advantage of a number of interventions from the government to create a sustainable livelihood in the rural areas to prevent continuous migration from rural to urban centres in search of opportunities. He emphasized that there should be some endeavour from the government, the line departments and the organizations representing the domestic workers to give them access to information about these programmes, including skill development, farming activities backed with training, marketing linkage and network, etc and show them ways to apply for these programmes and help them climb the ladder of growth and prosperity. He also suggested that many employers can take advantage of the domestic workers to piggy-ride on the Government scheme of Home-stays - where 30 percent assistance for the whole project is given by the Government – and train the domestic workers as the best chefs so that they become available workforce in promoting tourism in the State. On the memorandum submitted by the Movement, the Chief Minister gave his assurance saying the Government would examine it in detail with due diligence and consultation with the partners who have long experiences in dealing with the problems and challenges of the domestic workers. He also said that there is a need to structure many of the programmes to take care of this vulnerable group of people in the society and engage them productively. As a policy maker, he said that there is a need to engage further and left behind a proposal to the Movement to sit together to discuss ways and means, beyond what is articulated in their memorandum, to empower the domestic workers. ”Let Meghalaya show the way to other states so that we take care of millions and millions of domestic workers in the country and beyond,” he said. It may be mentioned that the North Eastern Regional Domestic Workers’ Movement, initially known as Domestic Workers’ Association was initiated on June 1, 2003 by the congregation of Missionary Sisters of Mary Help of Christians, Shillong Province in Meghalaya in response to violence and injustice perpetuated on domestic workers. The Movement received its legal recognition from the State Government on October 15, 2005, under the banner of North Eastern Regional Domestic Workers’ Welfare Trust. The Movement gradually expanded its activities in other parts of the region including Mizoram, Assam Manipur and Nagaland and recently its activities are further extended in 12 cities of North East under the name of Ferrando Domestic Workers’ Alliance. The overall objective of the Movement is sustainable improvement of the living and working conditions of domestic workers through activities ranging from mobilizing and registration of domestic workers to assisting them to avail various schemes of the Government. Till date, 5000 domestic workers are registered in Shillong. Skits demonstrating the exploitation and abuse of domestic workers and creating awareness on their registration were also performed on the occasion.