Latest

The Lok Bhavan in Shillong recently hosted a special programme commemorating the foundation days of Bihar, Rajasthan, and Odisha, attended by esteemed citizens and guests. The celebration featured cultural performances, including traditional dances from each of the three states. Meghalaya Governor C. H. Vijayashankar addressed the gathering, conveying his greetings to the people of these states and emphasizing their rich historical, cultural, and religious heritages. He applauded the artists for their passionate performances, which showcased not only their individual dedication but also the cultural identities of their states. The Governor took this occasion to reflect on the substantial contributions of Bihar, Odisha, and Rajasthan to the nation. He praised Bihar as a renowned ce...

Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Vincent H Pala has said that the notification issued by the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) making it mandatory for candidates contesting the council elections to produce a Scheduled Tribe (ST) certificate would remain valid unless it is legally challenged. “The order will continue to remain in force till any legal challenge is raised,” Pala said. The High Court of Meghalaya on Friday admitted a PIL against the participation of non-tribals in the GHADC elections. It may be noted that the notification issued by the GHADC on February 17 bars non-tribal individuals from contesting the April 10 elections to the council by making it mandatory for candidates to possess an ST certificate. While several Garo tribal organizati...

Voice of People Party (VPP) legislator Brightstarwell Marbaniang expressed significant disappointment in the Meghalaya Assembly regarding Speaker Thomas A. Sangma’s decision to reject a proposed short-duration discussion on the illegal coal mine explosion in the Mynsngat-Thangsko area, which has resulted in 33 fatalities. Marbaniang raised a point of order under Rule 282 to emphasize the discussion's urgency concerning enforcement failures and the lack of accountability following the tragic loss of life. He clarified that the motion was not politically motivated; instead, it sought to address governance and regulatory failures without interfering with the judicial process concerning individual criminal liability. The legislator underscored that treating administrative lapses connec...

The State Disaster Management Authority in collaboration with the District Disaster Management Authority on Thursday conducted the Yuva Aapda Mitra Volunteers Training Programme for students at Ri Bhoi College, at Nongpoh in Meghalaya. The training programme will be held over a period of seven days and marks the third phase of the Yuva Aapda Mitra Volunteers Training Programme in Ri Bhoi district.During the training, volunteers will be equipped with essential skills and knowledge on how to provide safety measures, assistance, and support to the public during natural calamities such as earthquakes, house collapses, floods, and other disasters. The inaugural session of the programme was attended by Assistant Commissioner of Ri Bhoi, Akash R. Marak; Assistant Deputy Controller of C...

The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) has strongly condemned Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong’s statement on incorporating ‘ILP-like provisions’ in the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.The Council described the remark as a calculated political diversion intended to weaken and delay Meghalaya’s long-standing demand for a full-fledged Inner Line Permit (ILP).In a statement issued on Wednesday, the HYC said the people of the state could not be misled by vague terminology and legal ambiguities, asserting that “ILP-like” provisions were not equivalent to an ILP.The Council said that any legislation which does not grant Meghalaya absolute authority to regulate the entry, stay, employment, trade and settlement of non-indigenous persons amounted to a betrayal of indigenous secur...

Security agencies in Meghalaya have refuted statements made by the Bangladesh Police, which claimed that the killers of Sharif Osman Hadi, the leader of Inquilab Moncho, had escaped from Bangladesh and entered Meghalaya. Inspector General O.P. Opadhyay of the Border Security Force (BSF) stated that there is no evidence of illegal cross-border movement, calling the claims "unfounded and misleading." He emphasized that the BSF has not detected or received reports of such incidents. Sharif Osman Hadi was shot in the head on December 12 during an electoral campaign in Dhaka and was subsequently airlifted to Singapore for treatment, where he died from his injuries on December 18. In a related development, a senior officer from Dhaka Metropolitan Police suggested that two suspects in Had...

As part of its first-ever global live music partnership, Airbnb is introducing one-of-a-kind Experiences at Lollapalooza India 2026, set to take place in Mumbai on January 24 and 25 at Mahalaxmi Racecourse, to bring guests closer to the music they love. This marks an exciting new chapter for Airbnb in India, reinforcing its commitment to connecting people through travel, culture, and creativity. From backstage tours and artist-led creative sessions to behind-the-scenes access guided by a Lollapalooza India Insider, each Experience offers an unforgettable glimpse into the world behind one of India’s most anticipated music festivals. “Live music and travel have always gone hand in hand - people don’t just attend festivals, they explore the cities that host them and create moments of c...

Lack of clarity regarding the Inner Line Permit (ILP) implementation in Meghalaya has frustrated the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), as nearly six years have passed since the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly unanimously requested the central government to extend the ILP system to the state. KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar expressed concerns about the ongoing delay, questioning whether it stems from a lack of seriousness on the part of the state government or the central government's unwillingness to act. Despite attempts by the KSU to engage in discussions with central ministers, no progress has been made. Marngar pointed to the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), which has been active since 2016, and criticized the state government for not clarifying measures take...

The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has sought a written assurance from the NPP-led Meghalaya government on the measures taken to prevent infiltration and safeguard the identity and land rights of the state’s indigenous people. “The union cannot rely on verbal statements. We want to see a concrete plan and are relying on the Chief Minister to come out with a firm, documented proposal on laws meant to safeguard indigenous identity, ownership of land and to prevent illegal immigration into the state,” KSU general secretary Donald V. Thabah said. Thabah said the state government had earlier informed the students union that the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) would be amended or strengthened with additional clauses to tackle influx. “Now we expect the government to deliver ...

Eight years ago, Tesla CEO Elon Musk unveiled plans for a next-generation Roadster, naming it after the company’s first electric vehicle from 2008. Despite years of anticipation, the updated model has not yet entered production. Musk, however, reaffirmed in a recent conversation with podcaster Joe Rogan that a new Roadster is still on the horizon. While he did not reveal technical or design specifics, Musk hinted that the unveiling could be “the most memorable product reveal ever” and said Tesla hopes to present it to fans and investors “hopefully before the end of the year.” Musk’s comments followed a post by former friend Sam Altman, OpenAI CEO, who tried to cancel his 2018 Roadster reservation and reclaim his deposit, sharing a screenshot of a bounced email. Altman expressed frustra...