Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 432/11

ADIPR OFFICE SHIFTED

Shillong, September 2, 2011: The Office of the Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, West Garo Hills, Tura has been shifted from New Tura to a new location at Chandmari with w.e.f. September 1, 2011. The new office is now located on the 1st floor of a three-storied building belonging to Mr. Loverson Ch. Momin, adjacent to Chandmari Police Beat House, Tura.

All correspondences may now be addressed to: O/o The Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations, Near Chandmari Police Beat House, Tura-794002, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya

Press Release No. 433/11

PASF HR. SEC. SCHOOL INAUGURATED

Shillong, September 2, 2011: Minister of State for Rural Development, Govt. of India, Agatha K Sangma inaugurated the P.A. Sangma Foundation Higher Secondary School at Dakopgre on September 1, 2011

Smt. Smera A. Sangma, Principal PASF Hr. Sec School, in her welcome address informed that at present the school houses 90 students in Cl XI in the Arts Section with 10 teaching staff. ‘To educate, to change, to grow and to live’ is the motto of the school she added.

Shri P.A. Sangma, Local MLA and Former Speaker of Lok Sabha in his address said that the school was a ‘return gift’ to the people of Garo Hills on his 64th birthday. He said that he had worked as a teacher for 14 years before he joined politics and he loves the profession of teaching. He informed that the fund for the school has been generated from the honoraria for his lectures at seminars, cash awards and from similar other sources. He said that the Commerce stream would be started next year and a full fledged Sangma University would be set up by 2016. He expressed disappointment at the low success rate of Garo youth at the All India Civil Services. He informed that it would be the endeavor of the school to train youth for civil services right from the school level.

The Chief Guest of the function, Agatha Sangma, MoS for Rural Development, Govt. of India, said that it was a very special day for her and her family. She informed that P.A. Sangma Foundation is the outcome of a dream of collective persons. She hoped the school would bring about the dreams and aspirations of the people. The minister said that there was a vast difference between the educational institutions in India and the United States regarding monetary fund.

“In India people donate to charity, religious and social institutions but people in America donate in bulk to education hence the educational institutions there have better infrastructures”, she said. She stated that the same importance to education should be given in India.

The inaugural function was attended by Shri Thomas A Sangma, M.P. Rajya Sabha, Shri P.K.Hajong, Inspector of schools, West Garo Hills, Smt S.K. Sangma, President, PASF, senior citizens, academicians and the general public.

Press Release No. 434/11

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO VAS-NGOS-SHGS

Shillong, September 2, 2011: The District Planning Officer, Jaintia Hills District, Jowai invites proposal from Voluntary agencies (Vas)/ Non Governmental Organisation (NGOs)/ SHG for consideration of providing financial assistance from the Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) of Planning Department, Government of Meghalaya during 2010-2011.

Assistance under this Scheme shall include only the following activities: Short Term Training and Short Term Seminars/workshops. Financial Assistance to be sanctioned to the individuals Vas/NGOs/SHGs will depend on the merit and nature of the Scheme.

The formats/application forms for submission of proposals can be obtained from the Office of District Planning Officer, Jowai.

Interested Vas/NGOs are to submit their proposals, along with the details of the scheme and relevant documents, to the office of the District Planning Officer, Jaintia Hills District, Jowai on or before 30th September, 2011.

Press Release No. 435/11

SOCIO ECONOMIC AND CASTE CENSUS BEGINS

Shillong, September 2, 2011: The Deputy Commissioner & Principal SECC-2011 Officer, Jaintia Hills District, Jowai has informed that in pursuance with the Government of India’s Directive, the District will conduct the Socio Economic Census commencing from 1st September, 2011.

A unique feature of this Census is that the enumerators along with the Data Entry Operators would be using specially designed hand held devices and the data collected would be fed directly into the computers. The Information furnished by respondents would be verified and cleared by Gram Sabha.

The Census would be based on self declaration model of the respondents. Therefore co-operation of the respondents is necessary for smooth functioning of the census.

Press Release No. 437/11

CM RELEASED DRAFT DOCUMENT OF MEGHALAYA STATE AQUACULTURE MISSION

Shillong, September 2, 2011: Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma today released the Draft Document of the Meghalaya State Aquaculture Mission at Shillong in the presence of Mehalaya Chief Secretary, Mr. W. M. S. Pariat, Commissioner and Secretary Fisheries Department, Mr. K.N. Kumar and other government officials.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sangma said that the Draft Aquaculture Mission document is prepared by the Fisheries Department with the main objective of making the rural areas more attractive in creating employment opportunities particularly the youth and also in creating more livelihood programme based on the rich natural resources that the State have.

He also said that the Fisheries department is working to expand and support the fish farmers so as to ensure that the State is reducing the demand supply gap and become self sufficient in fish production on a long term basis.

The Chief Minister invites suggestions, feedbacks and comments from all the stakeholders, covering the political sphere, civil society, officials, progressive fish farmers, District Councils, scientists, academic and research institutions before finalization of the draft. He also said that the suggestions and ideas would be examined and suitably considered for incorporation in the final draft.

Press Release No. 438/11

CM INAUGURATES GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF SANKARDEV COLLEGE

Shillong, September 2, 2011: Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma today inaugurated the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Sankardev College, Shillong in the college premises and also launched the website of the college and laid the foundation of the annexe building of the college funded by the UGC.

It may be mentioned that Sankardev College is one of the oldest colleges in the State established in 1962 by the members of the Shrimanta Sankardev Cultural Centre with a view to cater to the students coming from economically and academically poor background. The college today has been accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council, Bangalore in B Grade category. Besides the general courses of study, the college have also started a certificate course in Khasi Traditional Music and it is also going to launch a UGC sponsored Certificate course on Human Rights.

Speaking as the Chief Guest on the occasion, Dr Mukul Sangma appreciated the bold initiative taken by the founders of the premier college 50 years ago to establish the college which has served the people of the State in gaining access to quality education. He expresses confidence that the college will continue to serve the people by providing quality education not only to the students of the State but also of the region.

Dr Mukul said that Education sector has always been one of the top priorities of the State Government to equip the youth so that they can face the challenges and adapt themselves to change. “We should equip our youth in conformity with the present job market. We must realize that opportunities are not enough in the State to serve the youth and we should build up their mind set to think out of the Box while providing education to them”, he added while stressing that career counseling to both the students and their parents is one of the important aspect of education so as to enable the youth to take up their choice of study or job seriously. He informed that the Government is willing to support those colleges that wish to start career counseling sessions in their college.

Dr Mukul said that Education sector is the strength of the State and it needs to be improved thoroughly so as to ensure that the Shillong still remains to be one of the most sought after education destinations of the people not only from the region but also from other parts of the country.

Dr Mukul also informed that as an encouragement to the students to take up vocational courses, the Government is going to provide scholarship support to those students who would pursue Vocational training courses. This he said will enable the youth to stand in their own feet and not depend only on white collar jobs, he added.