Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 813/17

ROAD SHOW ON WORLD FOOD INDIA 2017 AND PROMOTION OF NEW SCHEME KISAN SAMPADA

A Road Show on World Food India 2017 and Promotion of New Scheme Kisan SAMPADA was held today at Hotel Poinisuk, Shillong wherein Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Mr. P. W. Ingty graced the inaugural function as Chief Guest. The programme was organized by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India in association with Indian Chamber of Commerce with the support of Commerce & Industries Department, Government of Meghalaya. Dwelling on the vast business opportunities in food processing industry, the Chief Guest in his brief speech said that there are a good numbers of emerging entrepreneurs in the State. Therefore, he urged the entrepreneurs to take advantage of this scheme and make most out of the opportunities available to them. Earlier, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Mr. Parag Gupta gave a power point presentation on World Food India 2017 and also on the new scheme Kisan SAMPADA. The inaugural session was also graced by the Director, Commerce and Industries Department, Mr. Nehru Suting and Additional Director, Indian Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Madhuparna Bhowmick.

World Food India 2017, a mega international event which is being held from 3rd-5th November, 2017 at New Delhi, will focus on investment opportunities and trade promotion in India’s food processing industry. The event will also showcase India’s food and culture. SAMPADA (Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters) is an umbrella scheme incorporating ongoing schemes of the Ministry like Mega Food Parks, Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure, Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure, etc. and also new schemes like Infrastructure for Agro-processing Clusters, Creation of Backward and Forward Linkages, Creation / Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities. The objective of SAMPADA is to supplement agriculture, modernize processing and decrease agro-waste. The SAMPADA is a comprehensive package to give a renewed thrust to the food processing sector in the country. The objective of the scheme is to provide effective and seamless backward and forward integration for processed food industry by plugging the gaps in supply chain in terms of availability of raw materials and linkages with the market. The scheme will link farmers to processors and the market thereby ensuring remunerative prices for their produce. It will also create huge employment opportunities especially in the rural areas. It will also help in reducing wastage of agricultural produce, increasing the processing level, availability of safe and convenient processed foods at affordable price to consumers and enhancing the export of the processed foods.

Press Release No. 815/17

MEGHALAYA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CONDUCTS AWARENESS PROGRAMME AT NONGPOH

The Meghalaya Human Rights Commission (MHRC) in collaboration with the District Administration of Ri Bhoi District has conducted an Awareness programme at Ri Bhoi College, Nongpoh on 19th July, 2017. The programme was attended by Dr. Justice Aftab Hussain Saikia, Hon’ble Chairperson, Meghalaya Human Rights Commission in the presence of Shri P.J.P Hanaman, Member, MHRC, Shri A. Mawlong, Secretary MHRC, Shri C.P. Gotmare, DC, Ri Bhoi District, Shri R. Singh, SP, Ri Bhoi, Shri N.A Khan, District & Session Judge, Shri V. Phawa, ADC, Shri V.D Rymbai, DSP, and Shri C.M Adhikari, Notary Public. The programme was chaired by Shri R. Kharbihkhiew, EAC. Students from Ri Bhoi College, St. Paul’s Higher Secondary School, Alpha English Higher Secondary School, Morning Star Secondary School and Christian Secondary School participated in the programme. The programme highlighted on the history of Human Rights, the formation of MHRC, basic Human Rights issues ranging from Civil Rights, Political Rights, Economic Rights, Social Rights, Cultural Rights and others subjects. The speakers urged the participants to gain as much knowledge as possible on these issues and to approach the Commission whenever there are any cases of violation under the purview of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The programme was followed by an interactive session whereby teachers and students posed questions and exchanged ideas on various topics relating to Human Rights.

Press Release No. 817/17

OPEN AIR AMPHITHEATRE INAUGURATED

The 1st Open Air Amphitheatre was officially inaugurated today by the Meghalaya Minister incharge Arts and Culture, etc, Shri. R V Lyngdoh at the Tribal Research Institute Campus, Mawlai Nongkwar, Shillong. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the local MLA, Shri Embhahlang Syiemlieh, local MDC, Shri P T Sawkmie, Additional Chief Secretary, Shri. P W Ingty, Vice President of Mawlai Town Dorbar, Shri. Kynsai M Lyngdoh, Headman of Mawlai Nongkwar, Shri. R R Thangkhiew and students of different schools of Mawlai. Giving a brief report on the project, the Director of Arts & Culture, Smti. Matsiewdor War Nongbri, informed that the Government of Meghalaya had sanctioned Rs. 5.88 crores for construction of Amphitheatres at Shillong, Jowai and Tura. The Amphitheatre at Shillong was constructed by the Meghalaya Government Construction Corporation (MGCC) Limited from January 2015 and completed on February 2017 at a total cost of Rs. 1.96 crores. Dedicating the amphitheatre to the people, the Minister said that with many great artists in the State, there is a felt need for good infrastructure and facilities so as to enable them to showcase their talents. Stating that lack of platform has hampered the growth of young talents in the State, the Minister said that with the construction of this facility, he hoped that talents can be nurtured and promoted in a big way. The Minister also called upon the people especially the youth to uphold their culture and tradition and promote their own traditional dance and music which is the essence of the tribal people. He invited all talented persons to take advantage of this amphitheatre and maintain it properly. Presentation of cultural songs and dances of the Khasis, Jaintias and Garos added flavours to the inauguration ceremony. Others who spoke on the occasion were Shri. Embhahlang Syiemlieh, MLA, Shri. P T Sawkmie, MDC, Shri. Kynsai M Lyngdoh, Vice President, Mawlai Town Dorbar.