Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 503/18

SPECIAL INTERACTIVE PROGRAMME AT LAITKROH

A One day Special Interactive Programme (SIP) on the theme “Empowering Rural Communities through Access to Information and Knowledge” was organized by the office of the Sub-Divisional Public Relations Officer, Sohra on 27th July, 2018 at the Conference Hall of the Office of the Block Development Officer, Laitkroh Khatar Shnong C&RD Block. Shri Gavin M. Mylliem, Sohra MLA graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The programme was chaired by Shri Carl Marbaniang, Sub-Divisional Public Relations Officer, Sohra and had presentations from Officers belonging to four departments, namely Horticulture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Tourism and Cooperative Societies. The programme was attended by Headmen and village members of the 14 villages under Laitkroh Sirdarship. Addressing the gathering, Shri, Gavin Mylliem stated that the Special Interactive Programme was a platform which facilitates direct interaction between the Government and the people. He said that the programme was conducted with the objective to educate the participants on the various schemes of the Government. He expressed his gratitude to the Resource Persons coming from the different Departments to inform and guide the people on the various schemes and how to avail them. “This programme” he said “helps to bridge the gap between the public and the Government especially in terms of communicating various programmes to the general public.” He lamented that many people residing in the far flung corners of the region do not have access to various developmental schemes due to the lack of information. Therefore, such interactive programmes provide an excellent platform which can address this obstacle and overall uplift and empower the rural communities with accurate and correct information which also provides for easier accessibility to various schemes. He urged the people present to carry the valuable knowledge obtained from the programme and to in turn, further educate their fellow neighbours and friends who were unable to attend the programme. In conclusion, he encouraged the Department of Information and Public Relations to continue in their efforts of conducting such programmes in the constituency which will go a long way in developing a positive relationship between the government machinery and the people.

Earlier in the programme, Shri L. Kynjing, Sub-Divisional Officer (C), Sohra Civil Sub-division, urged the participants to take part in the programme and to utilise the knowledge gained from the information given by the Officers of the different Departments present. He encouraged them to also actively participate in the interactive session whereby they can pose questions to the different Officers present on the various schemes and to clear their doubts, if any, with regards to the schemes being presented. Delivering the keynote address, Shri R. Nongkhlaw, Deputy Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Shillong informed the gathering that the Special Interactive Programme (SIP) is an innovative grassroots awareness campaign under DIPR, Shillong involving direct interaction between community and officials of various departments. In the context of intense implementation of different programmes, the office has been organizing Special Interactive Programmes (SIPs) at different villages in the state. Resource persons from different development departments are invited to participate in these programmes, wherein they inform and highlight the different schemes and programmes that are available with their respective departments in the interest of the rural people. Later in the session, the Officers from 4 departments of Horticulture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Tourism and Cooperative Societies presented the various schemes available under their respective department. This was followed by a fruitful interactive session, which saw an enthusiastic participation and lively discussions between members of the audience and the Officers.