Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 504/18

INSTITUTE OF BIORESOURCES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT INAUGURATED

Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, Forests, Environment and Climate Change today inaugurated the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) Meghalaya at Upper Shillong in the presence of Shri Hamletson Dohling, Minister for Information Technology, Urban Affairs etc. Government of Meghalaya, Prof Dinabandhu Sahoo, Director IBSD, Shri C.P. Marak, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Shri C.V. Darlong Diengdoh, Joint Secretary, Science and Technology among others. In his inaugural address, Dr. Vardhan said that the North Eastern Region of India is a genetic treasure house of plants, animals and microbial resources and is amongst the top mega-biodiversity hotspots of the world. He also informed that the IBSD was set up to identify the rich biodiversity and unique bioresources of the state that can boost the bio-economy and generate jobs for the unemployed youth through bio-entrepreneurship. Dr. Vardhan in his speech also highlighted the achievements, activities and initiatives of various developmental projects undertaken by the Government of India in the region to ensure all round development of the northeastern states at par with the rest of the country. The Union Minister also appeal to the people of the State to fulfill the green social responsibility by contributing towards developing a social movement through Green Good Deeds by undertaking one green good deed a day by strengthening the bio-resources and developing a sustainable development programme. The list of Green Good Deeds can be accessed through App, he added.

Shri Hamlet Dohling, State Minister for Urban Affairs, IT etc., in his speech said that the State of Meghalaya is rich of bioresources and has a vast potential to contribute to the nation. With the increasing population of the state is putting up pressure on its biodiversity, Shri Dohling said judiciously harness the bioresources and sustainable development is being seen as the only way forward to pass on a secure future to the coming generations. Shri Dohling calls upon all stakeholders to work together with the IBSD to take certain action to protect and preserve the rich biodiversity of the State by creating awareness on various issues endangering the environment. He also urged the IBSD to take up certain action plan to develop the bioresources of the State as a measure of sustainable use of resources and to develop local specific biotechnological intervention on the unique bioresources of the state to enhance farmer productivity and generate employment opportunities. Earlier Director, IBSD, Prof. Dinabandhu Sahoo in his speech informed that the Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development is a National Institute under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. The main mandate of the IBSD is the conservation and sustainable utilization of bioresources for the socio-economic development of the region.

Press Release No. 505/18

MEGHALAYA MILK MISSION LAUNCHED

Governor of Meghalaya, Shri. Ganga Prasad today launched the Meghalaya Milk Mission in the presence of Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri.Radha Mohan Singh and Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister, Shri. Prestone Tynsong at a function held at Polo Grounds, Shillong. The Governor expressing his happiness at the launch of the Meghalaya Milk Mission by the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department in coordination with the Shillong Milk Union and the cooperation departments said that Meghalaya’s dairy sector needs a special thrust to make the State move towards self-sufficiency since the State does not have a traditional skill base to rear milch cattle and it is necessary for the State to invest also on skilling the people and learn the art of tending milch cattle. He said that the Mission being a comprehensive one with essential components that cover both induction of new cows and development of indigenous cattle by selective breeding and modern milk chilling infrastructure the State will be benefitted immensely. He also said that it was necessary to develop the cooperative sector simultaneously and form and nurture dairy cooperatives. He added that the dairy sector is not just an employment generating economic activity but provides an insurance against crop failures and distress in the agricultural sector and urged the youth to take dairying activities as a viable economic activity.

In his address, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Shri. Radha Mohan Singh said that Meghalaya is an agricultural state and the development of agriculture and related sectors is crucial for overall development of the State and cooperatives can play a very important role. He informed that the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has sanctioned a project of Rs 215 crores to Meghalaya for training under dairy farm, chilling centre, purchase of milch animal and training component under Meghalaya Milk Mission 2018. The project consists of 2000 dairy farm units, in one unit there being a provision for purchase of 5 cows, shed constructions, storage room construction, animal insurance etc at a cost of Rs 9.82 lakhs. The mission would also provide for 79 bulk milk coolers of 500 litres capacity, 13 milk tankers of 3000 litres capacity etc he added. He further informed that there is also a provision of Rs 1 crore for the training of farmers under the mission. “This project is very important for the promotion of milk business in the State and for enhancement of farmers’ income”, he said. He also said that apart from the Dairy Project, the ICDP project for the entire State, computerization of primary cooperatives and the possibility of starting an integrated value chain project are being explored.

Among others present during the launch were Meghalaya Chief Secretary, Shri. Y Tsering, Additional Chief Secretary, i/c AH & Veterinary Department, Shri. K N Kumar, Commissioner & Secretary, AH & Veterinary, Shri. P Sampath Kumar, Managing Director, NCDC, Delhi and senior officials of Veterinary department. Earlier in the day, Deputy Chief Minister, Shri. Prestone Tynsong inaugurated Meghalaya’s 1st Bull Fair in which 40 bull owners from Khasi and Jaintia Hills exhibited their bull breeds. The winners of the Bull Fair were felicitated during the launch of the Meghalaya Milk Mission. The Bull Fair was organized with the aim of creating awareness for the need to preserve the best bull breeds in the State.

Press Release No. 506/18

CM INAUGURATES SCIENCE PROGRAMME AT LOYOLA COLLEGE

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Saturday inaugurated the Science Stream of the prestigious Loyola College, Williamnagar in presence of Williamnagar MLA Marcuise Marak and Bishop of Tura Rt. Rev. Andrew R. Marak and laid foundation for Loyola Boy’s Hostel. “Education is very important for me and my government and we have to do a lot. We are according top priority to ensure better educational facilities in the State and have embarked on mission to finalise the Education Policy for the State,” he said. He enlightened the gathering on one of the important agenda of late Purno Agitok Sangma, who always dreamt for a better future for the students of Meghalaya. “I am very happy that Loyola College Williamnagar is creating infrastructure for the welfare of the student community of Garo Hills in particular and Meghalaya. Loyola has provided a platform for the growth and development of education sector in the region, which is very important for a progressive society,” he said, while lauding Loyola College for initiating intervention for growth of education in the region.

He urged the students to develop competitive spirit and strive for excellence. “Education has been a priority for us and we have budgeted close to 2000 cr. All these year, almost 90 percent fund were spent for administrative purposes, while only 10 per cent for development of infrastructure. We are trying to ensure that maximum thrust is put in place for the welfare of students and development of better facilities in the institutes,” he said. On the occasion, the students of the college performed a play – “Joseph and the amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”. The Chief Minister was bowled with the performance of the students and praised the college for giving a platform for the students to showcase their skills.

Loyola College is owned and governed by the members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). It is affiliated to North Eastern Hill University (NEHU). Loyola Higher Secondary School, the forerunner of Loyola College, was established in 2010 and the undergraduate degree programmes began three years later in 2013. Presently the College offers courses in Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com). The academic and co-curricular activities of the College are held in three academic blocks. The Humanities’ block (Inigo Block) was inaugurated on July 2, 2015 and the science block was inaugurated on June 23, 2018. The first block (Bp. Mama Block), where the institution started classes in 2010, houses Commerce (B.Com) classes and library temporarily. These three blocks provide adequate rooms for classes and laboratories for 1500 students by 2020. Presently there are 1233 students in Loyola.

“Quality education will surely help the youth find employment. Loyola is committed to fulfilling some of the aspirations of our student community and the people of Garo Hills. The integral formation of students, development of their skills and personality and their employability are the primary concerns of Loyola. Allow us to join hands with the government in improving the lots of our people”, said Fr. Sunny Augustine, principal of Loyola College. “The science program of Loyola is a significant step towards science education in Garo Hills with a plan for research in higher secondary, undergraduate, masters and doctoral levels. It has been the expressed desire of the people of this land to have a science stream in Loyola to promote scientific knowledge and temper in students. Loyola promotes Mathematics, the queen of science that cuts across all the streams of science. The inauguration of Science program of Loyola by Chief Minister is the beginning of a research mission”, Fr. Sunny added.