Meghalaya Archives - Page 154 of 156

Garo Hills’ hoolock gibbons set for new home in Ri Bhoi

29Jun

By editorNo Comments

Animal, Meghalaya

Garo Hills’ hoolock gibbons set for new home in Ri Bhoi

Meghalaya government has announced plans to relocate hoolock gibbons from the Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre in Tura to the newly constructed Meghalaya State Zoo at Umtrew, Ri-Bhoi district. This decision has sparked debate among Garo Hills residents, prompting officials to clarify the rationale behind the move. The Meghalaya State Zoo, recently recognised by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), boasts nearly complete infrastructure designed to meet stringent wildlife care standards. In contrast, the Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre, operating for over 16 years, lacks CZA approval and fails to meet the required norms for long-term animal care. As per a statement issued by the government, these gibbons have been under human care for an extended period, making their reintroduction to natural fo...

Meghalaya forum demands CM Conrad Sangma’s intervention amidst border dispute with Assam

27Jun

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Meghalaya forum demands CM Conrad Sangma’s intervention amidst border dispute with Assam

The Hynniewtrep Border Disputes Redressal Forum (HBDRF) has called upon Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma to intervene in a land dispute involving the Socheng Amreng Border Development Committee (SABDC) in Khanduli village, West Jaintia Hills District.In a memorandum submitted on Wednesday, HBDRF Chairman C Sungoh highlighted concerns over SABDC's alleged demand to reinstate an entry tax gate, seen as a tactic for land encroachment in non-disputed areas like Khanduli and Myn-I (Am-ih in Karbi). Sungoh emphasized that these areas unequivocally belong within Meghalaya's boundaries. "We urge the government to promptly engage with their Assam counterparts to uphold our people's rights and maintain peace and harmony," Sungoh stated, expressing apprehension over attempts to register l...

Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma’s wife Mehtab Chandee among top contenders for Gambegre bypolls

26Jun

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma’s wife Mehtab Chandee among top contenders for Gambegre bypolls

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma’s wife Mehtab Chandee, is amongst the top contenders for the upcoming Gambegre bypolls, according to media reports. After suffering a heavy loss in the recently-held Lok Sabha elections, the National People’s Party (NPP) is actively gearing up for the upcoming Gambegre bypolls with the party leaders assessing the names of potential candidates. As per media reports, the ruling Meghalaya party has more than 10 potential names, including that of CM Sangma’s wife Mehtab Chandee, sister Agatha Sangma and brother James PK Sangma, in its list for the polls. While the names of the contenders have not yet been finalised, media reports quoted an NPP leader who informed that the party workers are especially supportive of Mehtab Chandee and Agatha Sangma cont...

BIS Guwahati hosts interactive session in Shillong to promote quality standards

7Jun

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

BIS Guwahati hosts interactive session in Shillong to promote quality standards

On June 5, the BIS Guwahati Branch Office organized an interactive session with stakeholders, industries, academia, and laboratories at Hotel Pinewood, Shillong. The session was led by Shri Pramod Kumar Tiwari, IAS, Director General of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), and attended by Shri Pravin Bakshi, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary of the Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department, Government of Meghalaya, along with other officials. In his address, Shri Pramod Kumar Tiwari emphasized the critical importance of quality consciousness in both products and processes. He highlighted the role of certified standards in enhancing product quality and stressed the need for increased awareness and compliance with quality control orders among manufacturers. Tiwari outlined v...

Meghalaya records fifth-lowest pass percentage in NEET entrance exam results

6Jun

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Meghalaya records fifth-lowest pass percentage in NEET entrance exam results

Meghalaya has garnered attention for securing the fifth-lowest pass percentage in the country in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).Following the announcement of the medical entrance exam results by the National Testing Agency (NTA), data from the Ministry of Education revealed that out of the 3,815 candidates who appeared for the exam in Meghalaya, only 1,837 successfully passed, constituting a pass percentage of 48.15, ranking it fifth-lowest nationwide. Kashish Samee, hailing from the General category, clinched the top spot in Meghalaya's results, securing a rank of 3,732.During the exam administration, concerns were raised regarding discrepancies at least two examination centers in Jowai and Nongpoh. However, it remains uncertain whether these issues had any impact o...

Meghalaya secures exemption from CUET for 2024-25: A step towards better preparedness

4Jun

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Meghalaya secures exemption from CUET for 2024-25: A step towards better preparedness

Dr. Eureka Lyngdoh, Principal of Sankardev College, emphasized the importance of preparation in implementing new educational policies, reflecting on the state's experience with the Common University Entrance Test (CUET). Dr. Lyngdoh remarked that had Meghalaya prepared in advance for the CUET's implementation two years ago, the state would not have faced the challenges it did on Saturday."We, as principals of various colleges, need adequate time to implement any new initiative," Dr. Lyngdoh stated. She also mentioned that college principals had urged the National Testing Agency (NTA) to ensure proper infrastructure, including digital facilities, for the CUET. In a significant development, Meghalaya has been granted an exemption from the CUET for the academic year 2024-25. This decision...

Final preparations in place for Lok Sabha vote counting in Meghalaya

3Jun

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Final preparations in place for Lok Sabha vote counting in Meghalaya

Necessary arrangements for the vote counting of Meghalaya's two Lok Sabha constituencies on June 4 have been finalized, officials confirmed. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) BDR Tiwari held a meeting with representatives from all political parties, providing a detailed presentation on the counting procedures. The CEO's office announced that the vote counting will commence promptly at 8:00 AM. A total of 369 tables will be used for the process, distributed across seven districts under the 1-Shillong (ST) parliamentary constituency (PC) and five districts under the 2-Tura (ST) PC. Specifically, 244 tables will be deployed for the Tura constituency and 125 for Shillong. The 15-Mawlai assembly segment, the largest in terms of the number of electors, will undergo counting in nine rounds. There...

Cyclone Remal devastates South West Khasi Hills; schools and homes severely damaged

1Jun

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Education, Meghalaya

Cyclone Remal devastates South West Khasi Hills; schools and homes severely damaged

Cyclone Remal unleashed widespread destruction across the South West Khasi Hills on May 28, causing extensive damage to infrastructure and homes. The District Disaster Response Authority (DDMA) reported significant damage to 17 schools and numerous residences, affecting many residents.In Ranikor Block, 15 schools were heavily damaged in the villages of Arlad, Nongmalang Mawpyllun, Nongnah Khadphra, Nongbah Jynrin Chitogre, Nongmluh Phlangdiloin, Mawphansaw, and Borsora. The cyclone left many school buildings unusable, severely impacting the local education infrastructure.Similarly, in Mawkyrwat Block, two schools in the villages of Nonglang and Shaid Shaid sustained damage. The loss of these educational facilities poses a significant challenge to the local community, necessitating alterna...

Government relocation plan gains traction; 200 street vendors from Shillong’s Khyndai Lad area volunteer for upgrade

25May

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Government relocation plan gains traction; 200 street vendors from Shillong’s Khyndai Lad area volunteer for upgrade

Urban Affairs Minister Paul Lyngdoh announced a positive response from approximately 200 street vendors in the Khyndai Lad area of Shillong, who have voluntarily registered for the government's relocation plan. The initiative aims to provide these vendors with designated spaces under one roof, equipped with essential facilities such as washrooms and water supply, which are currently lacking. Emphasizing the priority given to genuine residents of Meghalaya, Lyngdoh stated, "They will have identified spaces provided by Meghalaya Urban Development Authority (MUDA), ensuring basic amenities." This measure forms part of a broader effort to regulate street vending and enhance pedestrian spaces in Shillong. Addressing concerns about some hawkers being unaware of the relocation process, Lyngdo...

Tragic fire consumes Mupliang Presbyterian Church in West Jaiñtia Hills

24May

By Sonakshi SarkarNo Comments

Meghalaya

Tragic fire consumes Mupliang Presbyterian Church in West Jaiñtia Hills

The Mupliang Presbyterian Church, a revered place of worship standing for 15 years, was engulfed in flames in the early hours of today, plunging the local community into mourning and disbelief. The tranquil night was shattered around 1:30 am as flames erupted within the walls of Mupliang Presbyterian Church in the surroundings of the West Jaiñtia Hills district. Initial investigations point to a suspected short circuit originating from the church's storeroom, where a generator was housed, as the cause of the inferno, a detail corroborated by church elders. By 2 am, the fire had raged uncontrollably, devouring everything in its path. Despite frantic efforts by church members, who resorted to ringing the church bell in a desperate plea for assistance, the flames continued to spread relen...