Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 269/22

STATE TALENT IDENTIFICATION OF YOUTH CONDUCTED AT MAWKYRWAT

The Meghalaya State Olympic Association and Department of Sports and Youth Affairs Government of Meghalaya today the 9th July, 2022 conducted State Talent Identification 2022 implemented by Edge 10 Group at Madan Saitsnad, Mawlangwir in the presence of Ian Cambell, Triple Jumper and Gold Medalist of Australia who broke the World Record in the year 1980.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. John F. Kharshiïing, Working President of Meghalaya State Olympic Association expressed his gratitude to the government for the support and cooperation it has extended towards the purpose. He said that identification of talents will be done through (scientific) digital equipments which will be monitored by outsourced professionals meant for the purpose i.e., in uncovering talented athletes through four conducted testing. He also informed that the government has sanctioned about 400 nos., of athletes in each district and the total of which comes to 6000 numbers of athletes in all the districts and only the best 500 numbers of athletes will be selected out of 6000 numbers after thorough testings and the selected candidates will be sent to different academies for trainings along with a scholarship. He also apprised that through the implementation of such equipments it will automatically displayed in the ID Card and the reports will be out after 2 weeks of conducted testings and screening. He was of hoped that this district will produce genuine and deserving athletes.

Ian Cambell an Olympian and Gold Medalist of Australia expressed his gratitude towards the government for its support and cooperation by stating that it is through such test that true talents can be found and develops to become professionals by using all resources and proper equipments which is gathered through data and found to be accurate without human error.

Press Release No. 270/22

NATIONAL FISH FARMERS DAY 2022 OBSERVED IN RI BHOI DISTRICT

As part of the National Fish Farmers Day 2022 celebrated in the whole country, the Directorate of Fisheries Department, Meghalaya, Shillong also took part in the celebration of the day in advance by organizing different activities and felicitation to Fish Farmers of the state at Meghalaya State Fisheries Research & Training Institute, Mawpun Kshaid Ri Bhoi District today the 9th July. Shri S.C Sadhu, IAS Secretary, Fisheries Department, Government of Meghalaya graced the occasion as the chief guest in the presence of Smt. A.L Mawlong, MCS Director, Fisheries Deptt. Others who were presented includes the Joint Director, Asst. Directors, Superintendents of Fisheries, officers and fish farmers from different locations of Eleven districts of the state.

The Director of Fisheries in her keynote address highlighted on the importance of fish farming in the state for sustainable fish production and livelihood of farmers particular in rural areas. She informed the gathering that the day is being observed annually on the 10th of July as to commemorate to Prof. Dr. Hiralal Chaudhury and his colleague Dr. Alikunhi for their contribution in achieving the successful induced breeding of major Carps on the 10 July 1957 at Angul Odisha which has been for the very first time in the country. She also said that it is because of this breed discovery that India as it is has ranked as the second largest producer of fishes in the world. Moreover, informed according to the state statistical report in 2012 the fish production in the state is around 4,000 MT, however, with this induced breeding discovery hand in hand with the State Aqua Culture Mission, the state of Meghalaya has been able to achieve manifold in the production of fishes and as per record up to march 2022, the state has achieved the fishes production up to 18,435 MT. hence she expressed her due respect and honour to all fish farmers for their efforts in making the state achieving more and more production.

Shri Sindhu, the Secretary, while delivering his speech as the chief guest at the gathering, he congratulated to all the fish farmers for their earnest efforts for enabling the state to increase fish production. He stated that on the celebration of national fish farmers, people should acknowledged the contribution made by all farmers towards fisheries sector and we should understand their role in proper prospective. Fisheries sector play a very important role not only in income generation but also in conserving of the environment, water bodies, attracting tourism and are imparted employment generating sector. Moreover, said that fish farmers play a very great role in entire developmental process not only in rural but in urban as well, hence in order to achieve a successful future of fisheries sector, it is the need of the hour to ensure that farmers are properly guided ,well-informed and the knowledge should be up to date. In terms of adopting with the best practices in fish culture, we should also ensure that the area surrounded the fish ponds adopting with the organic farming to free the fish pond from any harmful chemical uses, meanwhile, he advised the department to ensure that all farmers should understand about their roles and latest technological practices. As fisheries sector will play a major role in all round development of the state, he urged the entire department to work closely with the fish farmers, updating their knowledge, improve their skills and make them play a responsible role and leadership role in their communities. Adding, that it is through a collective efforts that we can achieve a sustainable future of the fisheries sector in the state.

The day also includes with the felicitation of awards with Certificate of Achievement and Cash to the Eleven Awardees from Eleven districts of the State for their successful contribution as the Best Progressive Fish Farmer of their respective district that they belongs. These Awardees are the recipients of the scheme granted by the government such as Blue Revolution Scheme 2018 to 2019, SPA II Scheme 2012 to 2013, IBDLP of 2014 to 2015, BR Scheme of 2016 to 2017 and others. Moreover, the department has also distributed inputs to Eleven beneficiaries from different locations of the state, Release of Translated booklet of PMMSY and GAIS Brochure Khasi and Garo versions and also the cutting of Cake as to mark the Celebration of Fish Farmers.