October 18, 2004

Shillong, October 18, 2004: A three-day workshop on capacity building for the Officers and staff of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), was organised by the Ministry for Development of North East Region (DONER) in association with North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong from October 12-14, 2004 at Tura Circuit House. The workshop was inaugurated by Chief Executive Member, GHADC, Mr. Ebelson A. Sangma.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sangma expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of DONER and the team from NEHU for organising the programme. Reminding the elected MDCs and the GHADC employees of the high expectations of the people of Garo Hills, Mr. Sangma stressed on the need to develop and prepare to meet the requirements and challenges from all aspects. He urged upon the elected members to be committed to their service and also reminded them of their responsibilities towards the District Council.

Earlier, Prof. David S. Syiemlieh, Coordinator, Workshop Advisor Committee highlighted the purpose of organising the workshop.

Paper presentations on the topics such as “Fulfillment of Constitutional Mandate under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution”, “Planning for Area Development”, “Project/Programme Implementation”, “History Preservation and Retrieval of Records”, “Biodiversity and Forests”, “Law and Law Making with special reference to the GHADC” and “GHADC and Customary Law”, were made by Prof. Syiemlieh, Dr. A.K. Nongkynrih, Prof. P.M. Passah, Dr. Don Syiem and Prof. Milton Sangma among others. The three day workshop sessions also included interaction between the MDCs, Officers and the Workshop Advisory Committee members.

Shillong, October 18, 2004: In connection with the celebration of the Year of Scientific Awareness (YSA), 2004, hundreds of students from schools and colleges, Government officials and senior citizens participated in the ‘Nature Walk’ from Chandmary Playground to DC’s Park, Tura on October 15, 2004. The event was organised by the District Planning Office in collaboration with the Soil Conservation and Forest Departments. The Nature Walk was flagged off by the former Joint Director, Higher & Technical Education and Secretary, MBOSE, Mr. L.D. Shira at Chandmary Playground.

Speaking as the Chief Guest on the occasion, Mr. Shira said that it is high time that people take steps to preserve the nature and the environment, and the walk undertaken by the students was aimed at creating and spreading awareness among the people about the importance of preserving the environment and to keep the nature intact.

DFO, Wildlife Devision, Tura, Mr. P.R. Marak, also spoke briefly on the preservation of Bio-diversity which is one of the sub themes being taken up during the YSA 2004.

The function was chaired by the District Planning Officer, Mrs. S.N. Marak, ADC, while the DFO, Garo Hills Division, Mr. G.F. Shullai gave the welcome address. The names of the three winners for the best slogans were also announced on the occasion.

Earlier on October 14, 2004, an awareness programme on Biodiversity was organised by the students of Christian Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Tura with the assistance of Soil Conservation and Forest Departments at Damalgre Bazar. The District Planning Officer and District Organiser, YSA 2004, Mrs. S.N. Marak briefly explained to the people the purpose of organising the programme and appealed to them to make concerted efforts to uplift their standard of living and in making their land a better place to live in.

Shillong, October 18, 2004: The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh, is organising a workshop on Post Literacy Programme for the Coordinators/Leaders, Resource persons, volunteers, trainers and NGOs on October 25, 2004 at Science Hall, Nongpoh from 10:00 A.M. The workshop will also be attended by the Officers of the State Resource Centre, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), who will provide academic, technical resource support to the Post Literacy Programme.

All concerned Resource persons etc., are requested to attend the workshop in view of the immediate need to start the Literacy Campaign in the District.

Shillong, October 18, 2004: To revive the culture prevailing in Western Ri Bhoi, the Extra Assistant Commissioner, Western Ri Bhoi Administrative Unit, Ms. A.L. Mawlong, in collaboration with the Officers of various Government Departments organised a one-day Cultural programme at Patharkhmah on October 15, 2004. People from different villages of the area participated and displayed their respective culture, traditional dance and song. Mr. W. Mynsong, local MDC, was the Chief Guest while Mr. W.L. Lyngdoh, Deputy Commissioner was the Guest of Honour.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Mynsong expressed his happiness to the organisers for having done the best part to organise such a programme which was the first of its kind held in the area. He said that it is time for the people to awake and revive their culture because it excels its authority and value to identify any particular community.

The Deputy Commissioner, in his speech, appreciated the responsibility of the organizers of the programme and the enthusiasm shown by the people of the area which proves their love for the own culture.

The programme ended with prize distribution by the Chief Guest to the best participant in the programme in which Mawtangur Nongwah bagged the 1^{st prize of Rs. 2000/-, Umsohpai won the 2nd prize of Rs. 1500/-, while Patharkhmah Secondary School and Mawskai Them got the 3rd prize of Rs. 1000/- each.}

Shillong, October 18, 2004: A two day handicraft Exhibition-cum-Sale by the Scouts and Guides of Tura Region was held at Christian Girls’ Higher Secondary School on October 14-15, 2004. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Deputy Commissioner, East Garo Hills, Mr. E.P. Kharbhih, who is also the State Commissioner for Scouts and Guides. In his speech, Mr. Kharbhih lauded the efforts of the Scouts and Guides personnel in helping to build a better society.

Those who spoke on the role of Scouts and Guides in nation building at the inaugural function included Prof. Lindrid D. Shira, Additional State Commissioner of Scouts and Guides, Garo Hills, who also chaired the function, Mr. P.K. Hajong, Inspector of Schools and the District Chief Commissioner, West Garo Hills Scouts and Guides, Mr. K.M. Momin, Divisional Commissioner of Scouts and Guides, Garo Hills and Ms. L.N. Sangma, Assistant District Commissioner of Guides.

Retired MBOSE Secretary and Additional Director of Higher and Technical Education, Meghalaya, Mr. I.K. Sangma was the Chief Guest at the valedictory function on Friday, where he also handed over the prizes to members of Scouts and Guides. Those who spoke at the valedictory function included Mr. W.A. Momin, Headquarters Commissioner of Scouts and Guides Tura, Mrs. G.K. Marak, District Commissioner of Guides and Mr. Awenson Marak of Hawakhana Secondary School, Tura.

Shillong, October 18, 2004: Applications are invited from candidates and ex-servicemen belonging to the State of Meghalaya for the posts of Head Constable (Motor Mechanic), Constable (Driver), Constable (Animal Transport), Constable (Radio Operator), Constable (Radio Technician) and Constable (Lineman) to be filled up in the Indo-Tibet Border Police.