Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 490/11

VICE PRESIDENT VISITS HORTI HUB AT UPPER SHILLONG

Shillong, the 29th September, 2011: Vice President of India, Dr. Mohammad Hamid Ansari today visited the Horti hub of the Horticulture Department at Upper Shillong on his maiden visit to the State, Dr. Ansari was accompanied by the Meghalaya Governor, Mr. R S Mooshahary, Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma, Union Minister of State for Water Resources, Mr. Vincent Pala, Chief Secretary, Mr. W M S Pariat beside other senior government officials.

In his speech after the interactive programme with the local farmers from various districts of the State, Dr. Ansari said that horticulture is poised to raise the profile of Meghalaya in the world map. “There is an expression in English ‘Say it with flowers’, the expression is not vague”, said Dr. Ansari. With the initiative of the state government and the enthusiastic response from the farmers, the expression will take concrete shape in Meghalaya, Ansari said at the gathering. He further said that in the years to come, there will be a virtual transformation in the economy where horticulture will become a major economic activity which will benefit the farmers and state tremendously. The experiences of the farmers testify that horticulture is a profitable exercise and good for the welfare of the people, he said. He further asserted that even as the state government will do what it needs to do, cooperative effort is needed from the people for the initiatives of the government to succeed.

The Governor of Meghalaya, Mr. R S Mooshahary in his brief speech said that Meghalaya is blessed with abundant of natural resources and the people especially the farmers should tap these natural resources which will uplift their economy. He further said that the Strawberries and Pineapples of the State are in demands from other parts of the State including neighboring countries, adding that this have shown that the farmers of the State are economically well settled.

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma in his speech said that the Horti hub has help the local farmers to replicate the new trend of farming which has really help the farmers to uplift their livelihood. He also urged upon the unemployed youth of the State to take up farming which will generate job avenues and at the same time boost their economy

Press Release No. 492/11

VICE PRESIDENT ATTENDS GET TOGETHER OF HARMONY

Shillong, the 29th September, 2011: The Vice President of India, Dr. Mohammad Hamid Ansari today attended the ‘Get together of Harmony’ organized by the Central Puja Committee at R R Colony Community Hall, Rynjah, Shillong. The Vice President was accompanied by the Governor of Meghalaya, Mr. R S Mooshahary, Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma, Union Minister of State for Water Resources, Mr. Vincent Pala, Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. B M Lanong, Urban Affairs, Minister, Mrs. A Lyngdoh, IT Minister, Mr. A L Hek, Meghalaya Speaker, Mr. Charles Pyngrope, leaders of different religious denominations of the city besides a host senior government officials.

“To be a good citizen one has to be a good human being”, said Dr. Ansari, adding that the goodness of human being is a primary sentiment of one soul that leads to another soul, therefore it is impossible for a person to claim himself to be not good human being but a good citizen. He also expressed his delightfulness to associate himself in this unique occasion where people from different faiths and religion are attending the get together of harmony to appreciate the diversity of our country. He lauded the effort of the Central Puja Committee for organizing the get together which will facilitate the unity and harmony of the people of the State.

Meghalaya Governor, Mr. R S Mooshahary in his speech said that this kind of get together is a special occasion where people from different walks of life are attending to facilitate peace and harmony not only in the State but in the country as a whole.

Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma in his brief speech expressed that such a unique and exclusive programme needs to be replicated in other parts of the State and across the country, where people of different faith and religions come together under one roof to facilitate peace, love and harmony.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Union Minister of State for Water Resources, Mr. Vincent Pala.

The highlights of the day includes lighting of lamp to mark the occasion and a prayer meeting for harmony which was lead by the Vice President of India.