Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 395/22

PHOTO EXHIBITION ON AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV, 8 YEARS OF SEVA SUSHASAN AND GAREEB KALYAN HELD AT TURA

As part of the Celebration of 75 years of Independence of India, Integrated Communication and Outreach Programme along with Photo Exhibition on Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Eight Years of Seva Sushasan and Garib Kalyan was held today at SMELC Conference Hall, Dakopgre Tura. The programme was organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Central Bureau of Communication, Field Office, Tura, Meghalaya.

Speaking on the occasion as Chief Guest, Additional Superintendent of Police, West Garo Hills Vikash Kumar reminded the valor and sacrifices of the then Freedom Fighters and Patriots of our country for India’s independence and their valuable contributions towards the welfare of the nation. Further, he also urged the students to learn more about the history of the country and contribute in whatever way possible towards the progress of the nation in future. Moreover, he also highlighted on the various challenges faced in the area including drug abuse, etc and advised the students to be careful and watchful while choosing friends, cultivate good habits and stay focus on future career prospects.

In his short speech, the District Program Manager, WGH, Tura MBDA, V Valentine Hembron informed that despite challenges the Government of Meghalaya is focusing on youth empowerment by providing support to the needs of the youth in the region and also encouraged the students that nothing is impossible when our attitude or behaviour towards achieving what is good towards all mankind. He also expressed hope that all the students help each other and continue to be a good human being and shine in life ahead.

Meanwhile, the Field Publicity Assistant, Field Office, Tura Haihungbe Mpame highlighted the significance of organising this program of celebrating Eight Years of Seva Sushasan and Gareeb Kalyan and said that Seva Sushasan and Gareeb Kalyan have changed the meaning of Government for the people, fulfilling people aspirations and service to the people. He further mentioned that the Government of India has brought many developments across the country consisting of better roads, better health care facilities, economic reforms, social reforms, eradicated poverty and taking India to a self reliant nation.

During the function, the chief Guest along with other dignitaries distributed prizes to the winners of Drawing and Painting and Quiz Competitions. A Photo Exhibition on the life and struggles of our Freedom fighters of our country, Eight Years of Seva Surshasan and Gareeb Kalyan was also displayed at the venue.

Press Release No. 396/22

CM ATTENDED SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATION OF MAWSYNRAM BORDER AREA COLLEGE AT MAWSYNRAM

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today said that the Government spends a little over fifteen percent of the State’s budget on education every year. The Chief Minister said this while addressing a gathering of academicians and students at a function to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Mawsynram Border Area College at Mawsynram, East Khasi Hills. He added that the Government, despite the numerous challenges in the education sector, is committed to improve the overall education scenario in the State. Education has been an area where, as a government, we have focused a lot. It is one of the most challenging sectors. It is not easy for the government to try and resolve all issues in a short span of time. But we have taken up the challenge and working towards improving education through the various interventions, whether it is the education policy, whether it is the investment in Government school buildings, whether it is the opening up of Peoples College, whether it is the different support that we give towards infrastructure even to private schools and colleges, he said.

A large amount of investment and a lot of thought processes has gone into improving the education structure. It is one of the most important as well as the most complicated sectors. Out of the Rs 16,000 cr of budget that Meghalaya Government spends every year, more than Rs 2500 cr is spent for the running expenditure of different schools, colleges and over and above that, other infrastructure investments are made every year. So clearly from the Government side, the kind of importance that is given to education can be seen by the amount of budget that we spend on education, the Chief Minister added.

The Chief Minister also said that while the Government has embarked on a determined effort, all stakeholders have an equal responsibility to see that education improves in the State. We are a large number of stakeholders in the education sector, there is of course the Government which includes the political leadership and the officials, we have the teacher community, we have the society in general, and we have the parents with whom children spend most of the time at home. Each of these different sections of society has a role to play to make education improve in the short, medium term, and the long term, he said.

The Chief Minister also said that the Government is also exploring the best possible way to upscale higher education in the rural areas through various interventions either by creating new infrastructure or by increasing the capacity of the higher educational institutes in rural areas to handle increased student intake. If we look at the concentration of colleges you will see a large number of them in Shillong or Tura and other district quarters. And hence the youth living in the rural areas have less opportunity to get enrolled in higher studies due to the lesser number of institutions in rural areas. The Government is working earnestly to change this and to ensure that our students don’t miss out on the opportunity for higher learning, the Chief Minister said.

During the function the Chief Minister along with MP, Rajya Sabha, W.R. Kharlukhi, Education Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui and other dignitaries unveiled the bust of Shrolenson Marbaniang, the founder member of Mawsynram Border Area College and also released the Silver Jubilee souvenir of the college.