Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 379/16

UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT HOLDS 1ST CONVOCATION

Altogether 90 graduates were conferred Bachelor and Master degrees in four different programmes of study at the 1st Annual Convocation of the University of Technology and Management (UTM) held at U Soso Tham Auditorium in the city today. The Convocation Ceremony was attended by Meghalaya Governor, V.Shamuganathan who is also the Visitor of the University as Chief Guest, and Dr. Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister in-charge Urban Affairs etc as Guest of Honour. Delivering his Convocation address, the Governor stated that convocation day is a momentous occasion where the mind and heart of a graduate is filled with thrill and joy.” On this emotionally charged occasion, I urge you to remember with respect the sacrifices of your teachers, parents and loved ones” he said. Advocating the fact how physical well being and intellectual soundness is pivotal to successful living, the Governor advised the graduating students to keep themselves physically fit and mentally sound. “Do not be vague or cynical. Blast all impossibility. Create a positive mind in yourselves “he further said. Stating that employment does not necessarily mark a person’s true success, the Governor urged upon the graduates to live for a purpose.” Master yourself. Do not waste the knowledge that you have acquired. Focus, concentrate, persevere, be truthful and be honest. Do not go astray and get distracted by unworthy things because the mind is like a monkey that wanders and jumps from one place to another” he said, while also calling upon the graduates to give themselves into serving the country which is currently facing a multitude of problems like corruption, dowry related issues, rising maternal and infant mortality rates, unemployment from among a myriad of other problems plaguing the country. Dr. Ampareen Lyngdoh meanwhile expressed her appreciation to the University for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives in the recent past and took the occasion to appeal to the UTM fraternity to partake in the efforts of the government at tackling two of the main issues afflicting Shillong city in particular and the state of Meghalaya as a whole, namely urban waste management and provision of safe potable drinking water. She also stated that the government is looking forward for an opportunity to interface with the university on these two important issues. Others who spoke at the programme include UTM Chancellor Professor Utpal Ghosh, Vice-Chancellor Dr.S.J Chopra and Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Mukesh Saxena. It may be reminded that the University of Technology and Management was established under the “University of Technology and Management Act 2010” of the government of Meghalaya and offers professional and technical programmes in areas like journalism and mass communication, hospitality, digital marketing, technology , travel and tourism and others.

Press Release No. 381/16

NRL SPONSORS TRAINING PROGRAMME ON CANDLE MAKING

A training programme on candle making for 30 unemployed youth of Meghalaya was organised by the Meghalaya Institute of Entrepreneurship (MIE), Government of Meghalaya under the guidance of Women for Integrated Sustainable Empowerment (WISE) at WISE centre, Umeit, Ri Bhoi District from 11th to 15th July, 2016. It may be mentioned that this was the second such training organised by the MIE and fully sponsored by the Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme with an objective to develop the skill of youths in manufacturing various types of candles to meet the local requirement within the state and also to export to neighbouring countries, viz Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar etc. The valedictory session was held on 15th July, 2016 which was attended by Shri R.M. Khongwir, Chief Manager (Marketing), NRL and officials from MIE, WISE and NRL. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Khongwir briefed the trainees about the refinery and particularly about the recent marketing activities in paraffin wax. He also informed that any entrepreneurs interested to buy wax for manufacturing candles, match boxes etc may visit NRL’s official website: www.nrl.co.in where they can find the competitive price, quality and business terms and conditions.

Press Release No. 383/16

STATE GOVERNMENT MEETS NGOS ON URANIUM MINING ISSUE

Meghalaya will not allow Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) to take up any preliminary activities or pre-mining developmental activities in the uranium deposit areas in South West Khasi Hills district unless it can convince the people of the State on the safety aspects or how it can insulate the people from the ramifications of uranium mining. This was the stand taken at a meeting between the State Government and various NGOs opposing the uranium mining, including the representatives of some villages in South West Khasi Hills at the conference room of the State Secretariat, here on July 22 afternoon. It may be mentioned that various organizations have opposed the construction of Nongstoin-Pambriew-Wahkaji-Mawthabah road under SARDP-NE on the ground that government's intention of constructing the road was to facilitate uranium mining in the area. During the meeting leaders of various NGOs including NESO, KSU, JACSO, JAC, etc and the village representatives of Mawthabah-Wahkaji areas shared their concerns and views on the issue. Some of the village representatives welcomed the construction of roads, but at the same time said they were opposed to uranium mining.

Chairing the meeting, Chief Minister Dr.Mukul Sangma said that the Government has worked hard to get the road projects sanctioned under Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for North East (SARDP-NE) and that it should not be linked to issue of uranium mining. He said that the people should not interpret the construction of proposed two-lane road projects as facilitating uranium mining in the state since the Government would not take any decision on the matter unless a consensus was reached with all the stakeholders and people of the State are fully convinced about it. “The road projects should not be linked to uranium mining in the state as its objective is to upgrade national highways in the State, to connect the state capital of the northeastern states with the East-West corridor, to connect district headquarters with national highways and upgrade the state highways into double lane” he said and appealed to the NGOs not to oppose he road projects and miss out the opportunities for development.

Sharing the concern of the people on the effects of uranium mining, the Chief Minister, however, said that there were scientific solutions to the challenges. But he urged upon the representatives not to misinterpret that UCIL would take up uranium mining if the road was constructed saying there are laws to protect the land and the people. He also urged upon them not to take premature decisions and said that the State Government would continue with this kind of engagements and discussions with all the stakeholders until a consensus was arrived at on the issue. Forest & Environment Minister, Prestone Tynsong suggested that a Committee, constituted in 2009 to deal with the issue, be revived. He recalled that the Committee previously headed by Mr. Bindo Lanong had not made any submissions on the matter. Earlier, Chief Secretary K.S. Kropha highlighted the background of the uranium mining issue, while Principal Secretary, Political Department, P.K. Srivastava closed the meeting with a vote of thanks.