Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 519/15

NATIONAL YOUTH AWARD

Shillong, July 29, 2015: Applications are invited from interested individuals and voluntary organizations of East Khasi Hills District for the National Youth Award 2014-15 for their outstanding work in the field of nation building and community service. The last date for receiving of application forms is 18th August, 2015 in the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District, Shillong.

Individuals should be between 15-29 years and should have rendered service in the relevant field during the financial year for which award is to be given and should also be the one who is likely to continue to involve in such activities for at least another two years after conferment of the award. The service rendered should be on a voluntary basis and should have made a remarkable impact on the community/society and that the impact of the service rendered by them should be clearly identifiable. Other consideration for guiding the selection of youth for the national award would include their reputation among the local community, their desire for improvement and genuine interest in the relevant field.

Voluntary organizations should be registered under the Registration of Societies Act, 1860 for the last three years or a corresponding State Act and have proper constitution or Articles of Association. They should have a property constituted managing body with powers and duties clearly defined in their constitution. They should be in a position to secure involvement on a voluntary basis, of knowledgeable persons for furtherance of their programmes. The organizations should not be run for profit of any individual or a body of individuals and no discrimination against any person or group of persons on the ground of sex, religion, caste or creed. They should have rendered service involving the youth in a relevant field for at least another two years after conferment of the award. Preference shall be given to those voluntary organizations, which are run by the youth and for the youth. Organizations should have a good reputation among the local community and the impact of the service rendered by them should be clearly identifiable, preferably quantitatively.

Press Release No. 521/15

MEGHALAYA PAYS HOMAGE TO DR. APJ ABDUL KALAM

Shillong, July 29, 2015: The people of Meghalaya came together today to pay homage to Late Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India and an eminent scientist who breathed his last here at Bethany Hospital following a massive cardiac arrest on Monday evening.

Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma, Deputy Chief Ministers, Rowell Lyngdoh and Prof. R.C. Laloo, the Cabinet ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs, bureaucrats and people from all walks of life joined in paying their respects to Late Dr. Kalam at a public meeting organized by the State Government at Soso Tham Auditorium.

A two minute silence was observed and floral tributes were paid to the departed leader by the dignitaries, representatives from various institutions and the public present on the occasion and condolence messages from the Governor of Meghalaya, V. Shanmuganathan and the Chief Minister were also read out during the meeting.

Expressing his deep sorrow at the sudden demise of the “People’s President”, the Chief Minister spoke of Dr. Kalam as “the greatest Nationalist ever born whose faithfulness and God-fearing nature is reflected in his books”.

“Being a God-fearing man he fell in love with everybody, all the people of the Nation and he demonstrated his love for the people through his actions”, he said of Dr. Kalam. He ignited positive mindset in the minds of many, especially the youth and captured the imagination of the policy makers to tap the resources bestowed on us by the Almighty God, he added.

The Chief Minister also quoted a line from Dr. Kalam’s book ”Wings of Fire” and exhorted all those present at the meeting not to forget him once the memorial meeting is over but to remain ignited and motivated by his thoughts and ideas.

Deputy Chief Minister Prof. R. C.Laloo, Chief Secretary P.B.O. Warjri, Dean, Students’ Welfare, NEHU, Dr. S.N. Lamare and Director, IIM, Shillong, Dr. Amitabh De were among many others who paid accolades to the Late former President during the meeting.

Press Release No. 522/15

CREATION OF ENTITY OF POLITICAL PARTIES DECIDED TO SOLVE INTER-STATE BORDER DISPUTE

Shillong, July 29, 2015: In an attempt to carry forward the intent of the State Government to find a solution to the long-pending, ever-alluding Assam-Meghalaya boundary issue, a decision to create “an entity” comprising the representatives of all political parties was arrived at during the meeting held here at the Yojna Bhavan Auditorium on Wednesday afternoon.

Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma who chaired the meeting said that the boundary dispute with Assam is a thorny issue that needs to be discussed in a frank and candid manner and come to a collective decision. He also recalled the 1993 Assembly elections when the border issue was exploited to the maximum and therefore stressed the need for all political parties and stakeholders to share the responsibility of finding a solution to the vexed issue so that there would be no scope for any blame game.

He urged upon all the members present to offer suggestions as to whether the State should go for legal intervention or political engagement and dialogue with its counterpart Assam and to think of interim mechanism until they could come up with ultimate resolution.

Earlier an in depth presentation on issues and approach relating to inter-state boundary with Assam was made by Principal Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management, P. K. Srivastava before the meeting. The presentation was corroborated with a number of notifications to justify Meghalaya’s claim.

During the meeting, the representatives from the affected border areas shared the problems being faced by the people in the areas of dispute, citing lack of development as one of the main causes for their sufferings.

The Chief Minister said that Meghalaya had never accepted the boundary demarcated by the Survey of India and although the both the states have been asked to maintain status quo, he stressed that developmental works must continue in the areas of difference. Admitting the fact that Assam was prompt in taking up developmental works in those areas, the Chief Minister said that more and more land alienation has been taking place and therefore there was a need for all political parties to come together with a sense of urgency.

After hours of discussion, the meeting decided on creation of an entity of all political parties in the State to engage with counterpart Assam at a political level. The “entity” with necessary terms of reference would be notified soon so that the first exercise can begin before the Independence Day celebrations, the Chief Minister said. He also informed that the problems and issues being faced by the people in the border areas would be taken up separately.