B’wood blockbusters delay release of Khasi film
SHILLONG: A Khasi feature film titled ‘Ngin sa jop’ – directed by IB Thim and written by Robert Sohbar – will be releasing soon. Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Sohbar said that the movie is a depiction of politics and crime. However, the screening of the movie at Bijou Cinema will take time since preference was given to big budget Bollywood movies. In this connection, he urged the state government to provide cinema halls which will cater to local film makers. The film will feature the Khasi, Garo language and Lyngngam with sub-titles in English. The film was shot in Shahlang, Tura, Nongstoin, Nongkhnum, Smit, Damsite and Wards Lake. Sohbar also expressed gratitude towards Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma who donated Rs 1 lakh for the film and mawshynrut MLA, Gigur Myrthong for providing financial assistance.
Rymbui inspects college
JOWAI: Education Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui along with local MLA, Wailadmiki Shylla and a team of education officers on Thursday conducted an inspection at Kiang Nangbah Government College in the presence of members of the Kiang Nangbah Government College Students’ Union (KNGSU). “Rymbui has assured us that the women’s hostel and boy’s hostel will be inaugurated by the month of June. He also assured us that the higher secondary level (arts) will be shifted to the building of the B. Ed College at Mynthong Jowai and the B. Ed college will be in the Kiang Nangbah Govt College whereas the top floor of the college building constructed with the RUSA fund will be handed over for Amha Class”, informed the KNGSU secretary. Officials of the Education Department namely DP Wahlang, Principal Secretary of Education, UAE Ambrose Marak, Director of Higher and Technical Education R Mawroh, Principal Consultant of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) and the Executive Engineer of PWD buildings were also present during the inspection.
Stress laid on traditional healing
SHILLONG: Pravin Bakshi, Secretary, Health and Family Welfare-cum-Director of AYUSH on Thursday on the need of documenting traditional treatment knowledge. He inaugurated a free AYUSH medical health camp and herbal garden at the Civil Hospital campus here. The programme was organised by the District Medical and Health Officer, East Khasi Hills. Speaking on the occasion as the Chief Guest, Bakshi stated that indigenous healing knowledge has been playing a significant role in the primary health care of the rural populace for a very long time. He also stressed on the need of documenting traditional treatment knowledge thereby providing first hand information about its positive impact. Documentation can assist in popularising and sharing the benefits of traditional healing knowledge among the masses and also in conservation of medicinal herbs and plants, he added. Others who spoke and and were present on the occasion were WW Phira, Joint Director of Health Services (SS) Civil Hospital, Shillong and S I Kharshandi, District Nodal Officer, East Khasi Hills District.
Entrepreneurship meet held
JOWAI: A ‘Town Hall Meeting’ on micro, small and medium enterprises was organised by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI, Shillong, with an aim to reach out to MSE entrepreneurs at Shangpung Village in West Jaintia Hills on Thursday. Officials from the Directorate of Commerce & Industries, Government of Meghalaya, IDBI NRLM, KVIC, RESTI, public and private banks attended the meeting along with 300 entrepreneurs from Shangpung. Anurag Asthana, general manager (OIC), RBI, Shillong highlighted various measures taken by the RBI to facilitate the growth of MSMEs in the country. Asthana also lauded Hunbait Chullet of Shangpung who had set an example to others by setting up a manufacturing and processing unit dealing with Lakadong turmeric, ginger, spices, noodles and baby food. The RBI also felicitated Chullet and issued sanction orders to SHGs and individuals including Kamwadamut SHG for Rs 2 lakh, Tur Shaphrang SHG for Rs 1.5 lakh, Stering Sungoh for vehicle loan and Samna Lapasam for Rs 30,000. Representatives from public and private banks namely the general manager and branch manager MRD, HDFC Bank, SBI also spoke on the occasion along with officials from the Department of Commerce and Industries including assistant director, ZV Wreang.
NEHU workshop on online courses
SHILLONG: A two-day workshop on ‘Massive Open Online Courses’ (MOOCS) was oprganised by North Eastern-Hill University (NEHU) on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The workshop aimed to acclimatize the participants on the adoption, promotion, and development of MOOCs on the SWAYAM Platform. The workshop was inaugurated by NEHU Vice Chancellor, SK Srivastava, Vice Chancellor, H Lamin, joint registrar and convener, Baphimon Rynjah, MOOCs Committee chairman, SK Singh, the Deans of all schools, heads of departments and faculty members from all disciplines. The workshop ended with a panel discussion on the issues concerning the adoption, promotion and development of MOOCs involving all resource persons and teachers. A valedictory function was also held where G Singaiah, Pro Vice Chancellor, Tura Campus, Debashish Chowdary, Controller of Examination and RH Duncan proposed their concluding remarks.
Value addition to crops mooted
AMPATI: A seminar-cum-workshop on value addition of horticultural crops under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) was organised by South West Garo Hills District Horticulture Officer, N Ch Sangma in Ampati on Thursday. Addressing the gathering, Sangma encouraged the participants to take up value addition of different horticultural crops which are available within the district as most of these crops are highly perishable and emphasised on how farmers can double their income by doing so. Biondie Shira, Industrial Promotion officer, DCIC, Tura and a specialist in food processing, attended the programme as the resource person. During the workshop, jackfruit jam making, pickle making and other skills were demonstrated to over 100 participants.
Plantation drive organised
Shillong: A plantation drive was organised jointly by Assam Rifles and the Meghalaya Forest Department wherein 1000 trees were planted at Laitkor Garrison of Assam Rifles. The event also marked the commemoration of the 150th birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. All ranks of Assam Rifles including children actively participated in the drive and pledged to improve the ecology and environment of the state. Assam Rifles Public School children who participated in the painting competition on the theme “Plant More Trees” were also felicitated during the event.
CGI sheets distributed
NONGSTOIN: Mawshynrut MLA Gigur Marthong distributed CGI sheets to 622 households under Mawshynrut Constituency on Thursday. The sheets were distributed under the Special Rural Work Scheme (SRWP) scheme 2018-19 and the function was held at the BDO office, Mawshynrut C&RD Block where BDO, T Diengngan BDO was also present. While addressing the gathering, Marthong said that besides the CGI sheets other MLA schemes were also disbursed for the construction of a school building, playground and community hall. He added that he is making every effort to help each and every household in the constituency. Marthong also advised party members to deliver all the sheets in a transparent procedure to each household in the constituency. “The CGI sheets will be distributed in four accessible centres namely West Khasi Hills Garo community centre, Lyngngam, Maweit, and Nongtrai centre,” he said.
MGNREGS building
SHILLONG: The Area Employment Council building at Puriang under Mawryngkneng C&RD block was inaugurated by the Block Development Officer, R Wahlang here on Thursday in the presence of job card holders and members of the Dorbar Shnong of Puriang. The project which was initiated in 2012 was completed in May this year after being delayed due to a number of reasons. The VEC comprising more than 50 per cent women expressed their satisfaction over the completion of the building and vowed that they would take up major works in the coming months such as the protection of the environment and catchment areas. While inaugurating the building, R Wahlang, BDO, lauded the efforts of the women for playing a major role regarding the completion of the project.