February 23, 2004

Shillong February 23, 2004: A five day long 56^th North Eastern Region Livestock & Poultry Show held at Polo Ground, Shillong from February 17, 2004 concluded on February 21, 2004. Mr P.J. Bazeley I.A.S. Chief Secretary, Meghalaya was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

It may be mentioned that the show was organised by the A.H. & Veterinary Department, Meghalaya with a view to ensure knowledge to the farmers in Livestock & Poultry farming in a region which has tremendous potentiality for Livestock & Poultry farming.

Speaking as the Chief Guest on the occasion Mr Bazeley lauded the organizers, entrepreneurs and the farmers participated in the show to exhibit the present position of animal activity in the region. Lamenting over the fact that North Eastern Region has to spend a lot of other processing sources to obtain Livestock from other parts of the country he urged the private entrepreneurs and the farmers to think big to achieve self sufficiency in Livestock and Poultry in a region which has tremendous potential. The need of the hour is to take up large scale activity and to bring glory to the region the farmers have to exhibit themselves as net exporters of animals and birds, he further added.

Others who spoke on the occasion include Mr W.M.S. Pariat, Principal secretary A.H. & Veterinary, Meghalaya, Dr J S Jyrwa, Veterinary Information Officer, A.H.& Veterinary Department, Meghalaya and Dr U.C. Gogoi, Director A.H.&Veterinary, Meghalaya.

The other highlights of the day were Animal Parade, Prize Distribution and entertainment by the local band.

Shillong February 23, 2004: The Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh has informed that all leases of the Toll Gates/Check Gates along the National Highway 40 and other PWD Roads in Ri Bhoi District are to furnish the names along with photographs of the workers/staff engaged in their Toll Gates/Check Gates on or before February 25, 2004 and submit the same to the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh with a copy to the Superintendent of Police, Nongpoh.

Further details can be obtained from the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh.

Shillong February 23, 2004: The training on Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and photography for Electors Photo Identity Card of both 37-Baghmara and 53-Chockpot (ST) Assembly Constituencies of 38 polling stations, 21 in 37-Baghmara and 17 in 53-Chockpot respectively, got underway from today and will conclude on March 8, 2004.

Shillong, February 23, 2004: Mr. P R Kyndiah, Member of Parliament, inaugurated the three day Health Mela at the premises of the Civil Hospital, Jowai, on Wednesday last. Also present at the inaugural function were Meghalaya Minister for Forest, Mr. S Mulieh as the Guest of Honour and Mrs. L Kharkongor, Deputy Commissioner, Jaintia Hills District.

Lauding the organisers for holding such a Mela for the benefit of the general public, Mr. Kyndiah underlined the importance of creating public awareness and providing health education to them so that diseases could be easily contained. Mr. Kyndiah also informed that the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Research Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), once completed, will provide specialised medical treatment, thereby curtailed heavy expenditure for treatment of patients in other parts of the country as well as medical education to the medical students and nurses.

In his speech, Mr. S Mulieh said that there are three main enemies of the public, namely, poverty, ignorance and diseases. He said that the Government it trying its level best to eradicate diseases by setting up PHC, Sub-Centres, CHC, Dispensaries and Civil Hospitals in different parts of the State.

Also speaking on the occasion was Dr. S Kharmalki. While Mrs. L Kharkongor, DC, Jaintia Hills District delivered the welcome address, Dr. P B Marpna, DM &HO offered the vote of thanks.

It may be mentioned that the Mela was organised by the Health Department where 20 stalls of different medical disciplines participated.

Shillong, February 23, 2004: The 15^th Convocation of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) was held at the University Regional Centre at Nongthymmai Nongshiliang on February 21, 2004 where the Meghalaya Minister for Home and IPR, Mr. R G Lyngdoh was the Guest of Honour. Along with 22 other Regional Centres, the Convocation was held simultaneously through tele-conferencing mode at New Delhi where Dr. K Kasturirangan, former Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation was the Chief Guest. On the occasion, 46 students at the Shillong Regional Centres were conferred with Degrees and Diplomas in different disciplines.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. R G Lyngdoh congratulated the successful students in their pursuit for a meaningful life through education. He urged that IGNOU not only improve the quality of education but also enroll more students to step up the rate of education. He also felt the need to expand computer literacy especially in rural areas so that the people are equipped with better knowledge. He added that education scenario in the country has had a tremendous change by the presence of IGNOU.

Other who spoke on the occasion was Dr. A S Guha, Regional Director, IGNOU, Shillong.