June 14, 2004

Shillong, June 14, 2004: The Indian Red Cross Society, Meghalaya Branch, Shillong today observed International Blood Donor’s Day by holding a two days Blood Grouping Camp at the Red Cross premises at Laban. The purpose of the Blood Camp is to encourage people to get their blood tested and thus equip themselves with this important information which could make the difference between life and death.

While informing the gathering about the significance of the day, Dr (Col) A. C. Khanna, Secretary of the Red Cross Society said that the International Blood Donor’s Day, is dedicated to celebrating voluntary non-remunerated blood donors, who are the foundation of a safe blood supply because they are least likely to transmit potentially life-threatening infections such as HIV and hepatitis viruses, to the recipients of their blood. Citing the danger of the alarming increase in the number of professional blood donors who give blood for money, he hoped that the observance of World Blood Donor Day will create wider awareness of the importance of voluntary blood donation and encouraging more people to become regular blood donors.

It may be mentioned that the World Donor Day builds on the success of World Health Day 2000 which was devoted to the theme ‘Blood Saves Lives. Safe Blood Starts With Me’. This day also has special significance as it also marks the birthday of the Nobel Prize winner, Karl Landsteiner who discovered the ABO blood group system.

Earlier, the members of the Junior Red Cross delivered the welcome song.

Shillong, June 14, 2004: The Inter School Cricket Tournament organised by the Shillong Cricket Association in memory of Mr. S K Das, a well known cricket personality of the city came to a conclusion on June 12, 2004 with a prize distribution ceremony and a demonstration match of visually impaired cricketers. The Chief Guest on the occasion was Mr Paul Lyngdoh, Meghalaya minister for Sports and Youth Affairs.

In his speech, Mr Lyngdoh lauded the SCA for reviving such a tournament after a gap of two decades. Congratulating the SCA for such a positive initiative, Mr Lyngdoh assured that the department would try to address the issues brought by the SCA. He also expressed hope that cricket would be one of the happening sports in the State in the years to come.

The winner of the tournament St. Peters School beat St. Edmund’s by 22 runs in the final match played on June 5, 2004.

The Man of the Match and the Man of the Series awards were bagged by P Dey and I Jaman of St Peter’s School respectively.

Shillong, June 14, 2004: Mr S. W. Rymbai, local MLA and Minister of State inaugurated the office of the Nongrah Women Welfare Association (NWWA) constructed by the office of the Umsning Block at Nongrah on June 12 last, amidst a large gathering of villagers, students and local leaders of the area.

Speaking on the day, Mr Rymbai congratulated NWWA for its dedicated service towards the upliftment of women and the village as a whole. Stating that women have a vital role to play in society, he urged upon NWWA to lead by example and fully utilise the building for the purpose for which it was built. As NWWA is a part and parcel of the village he also urged upon them to work hand in hand with the village Durbar for the overall development of the area.

Mr Rymbai also took the opportunity to spread a message of environmental protection wherein he stressed on the need for both parents and teachers to instill in the minds of the children, the need to love and protect nature and its resources around them. While drawing attention to the development in the village, he promised to carefully go through the Memorandum submitted during the meeting and give it his due attention.

Shillong; June 14; 2004: The Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya; Labour Department has informed that under the revised rates of Minimum Wages; a skilled worker will now be paid Rs. 85 per day; an semi-skilled worker Rs. 75 per day and an un-skilled worker Rs. 70 per day. This will be implemented for employment under Agriculture; Construction and maintenance and buildings including Public Health Engineers etc; Stone crushing and breaking operations; Construction; Generation and Distribution of Power; Water Supply; Land Development; Excavation and Reclamation; Sericulture and Weaving; Fruit Preservation; Soil Conservation; Animal Husbandry and Vety.; Forest; Local Authority; Public Motor transport; Saw Mill; Plywood Industry; Motor Work Shops; Furniture Industry; Bakery; Shops and Establishment; Printing Press; Sales, distribution and handling of petroleum products; Steel fabrication and concrete products including brick making; Tailoring; Wax and Candle Industry; Hotels and Restaurants; Mines and Minerals.

The revised rates are inclusive of dearness allowance but exclusive of other concession if any enjoyed by the employees. The existing task and hours of work i.e. 8 (eight) hours a day 48 (forty eight) hours a week shall continue until further orders.

The Minimum rates of wages are all inclusive rates, including the basic rates, the cost of living allowances and the cash value of concessional supply, if any, of essential commodities and also include the wages payable for the weekly day of rest. The rates of wages of overtime work shall be double the ordinary rates of wages.

Shillong, June 14, 2004: The Roopkala Kendro, a registered society under the Government of West Bengal in the Department of Information and Cultural Affairs and an Indo-Italian Project, is going to start its admission of Second Batch in Post Graduate Diploma Course in Development Communication, Direction, Motion Picture Photography, Editing and Animation Creation and Direction.

Interested candidates may contact the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Lower Lachumiere, Shillong, for prospectus and other relevant information. It may be mentioned that the last date for submission of application forms is July 7, 2004.