Tuesday, July 14

Meghalaya

Meghalaya steps up El Nino preparedness; focuses on water security, farming
Meghalaya

Meghalaya steps up El Nino preparedness; focuses on water security, farming

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today directed government departments to intensify preparedness and roll out coordinated action plans to mitigate the possible impact of an anticipated El Nino event.Chairing a meeting of the Meghalaya Climate Council at the State Guest House in Taraghar, Sangma said the state must plan proactively to limit the fallout of extreme weather conditions linked to El Nino-related climatic variations."The state must prepare in advance rather than respond after adverse conditions emerge," he said."As climate uncertainties linked to El Niño continue to evolve, we are taking proactive steps to prepare Meghalaya for possible impacts on water resources, agriculture, forests, public health, and disaster management," the Chief Minister said."While we cannot pred...
Former West Shillong MLA Mohendro Rapsang Joins BJP
Meghalaya

Former West Shillong MLA Mohendro Rapsang Joins BJP

Former West Shillong MLA Mohendro Rapsang on Tuesday joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) along with a large number of his supporters at the BJP state office marking another significant political shift ahead of the 2028 Assembly elections.Rapsang was formally inducted into the BJP by Meghalaya BJP president Rikman G. Momin in the presence of Cabinet Minister and BJP MLA Sanbor Shullai and other party leaders.Talking to mediapersons, the Meghalaya BJP president expressed confidence about strengthening its position in West Shillong and indicated that more political leaders could join the BJP in the coming days as the party continues its expansion efforts across the state.Momin however clarified that Rapsang's entry into the party does not come with any assurance of a ticket, maintaining ...
Meghalaya Aims to Become Northeast Creative Hub with New Cultural Projects
Meghalaya

Meghalaya Aims to Become Northeast Creative Hub with New Cultural Projects

Meghalaya is set to significantly strengthen its creative economy with plans to establish a Film City and Film Institute in Shillong, along with a Music Institute in Tura, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma announced on Sunday. The announcement was made during the inaugural Hello Meghalaya Music Awards in Shillong on World Music Day, where artists, musicians and content creators gathered to celebrate the state’s growing cultural landscape. The Chief Minister said the proposed institutions aim to build a strong ecosystem for filmmaking, music production and digital content creation by providing infrastructure, training and long-term support for emerging talent. He emphasized that investments in the creative economy are vital for employment generation and for enabling young people to purs...
Sunrise Pure Celebrates Meghalaya’s Musical Heritage with ‘Ka Rympei Ki Sur’
Meghalaya

Sunrise Pure Celebrates Meghalaya’s Musical Heritage with ‘Ka Rympei Ki Sur’

ITC Ltd.'s Sunrise Pure, one of the most trusted spice brands in East and Northeast India, marked World Music Day with a spectacular cultural celebration 'Ka Rympei Ki Sur' held at Police Bazaar, Shillong. The event brought together local music, community spirit, and a landmark brand milestone, making it an evening to remember for the people of Meghalaya. The name 'Ka Rympei Ki Sur' draws from the Khasi word Rympei - the hearth, which is traditionally the warm center of a Khasi home where families gather to cook, share stories and find comfort. The event was attended by several distinguished dignitaries, including Frederick Roy Kharkongor, Commissioner & Secretary, Arts & Culture; D.B.S. Mukhim, Assistant Commissioner, Food Safety; B. Rani, Director, Agriculture & Horticult...
NHIDCL Begins Restoration After Landslide Cuts Off Shillong–Dawki Road
Meghalaya

NHIDCL Begins Restoration After Landslide Cuts Off Shillong–Dawki Road

A major landslide has disrupted connectivity on the Shillong–Dawki Road in Meghalaya, prompting the East Khasi Hills district administration to order the immediate closure of the stretch beyond Laitlyngkot village. The affected section at Chainage 25+200 has been completely cut off due to the landslide, rendering the road impassable. According to an official notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal, the district administration received reports confirming that vehicular movement beyond Laitlyngkot village is no longer possible. The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has informed authorities that restoration and repair work is expected to take several days to complete, given the severity of the damage. In view of public sa...
Preserve Historic Shillong Circuit House, Urges PIL Petitioner Malabika BisharadSeeks Fresh Inspection Before Any Decision on Demolition; Says Heritage Building Still Carries Legacy of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy
Meghalaya

Preserve Historic Shillong Circuit House, Urges PIL Petitioner Malabika BisharadSeeks Fresh Inspection Before Any Decision on Demolition; Says Heritage Building Still Carries Legacy of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy

Smt. Malabika Bisharad, the petitioner in PIL No. 13 of 2025 before the Hon’ble High Court of Meghalaya, has appealed to the Meghalaya Government to preserve the historic Laban Circuit House, also known as “Ray Villah”, and not take any decision to demolish the structure. Following the final order passed by the Hon’ble High Court of Meghalaya, Bisharad expressed her gratitude to the State Government for deciding to install a statue and memorial plaque in honour of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy at the Circuit House premises. However, she urged the government to protect the main concrete building, which she described as a symbol of history, culture and literature since the 1920s. In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, Bisharad referred to the statement regard...
CM Conrad Attends Hello Meghalaya Music Awards, Announces Film City & Institute for Shillong
Meghalaya

CM Conrad Attends Hello Meghalaya Music Awards, Announces Film City & Institute for Shillong

As a part of the global celebration of World Music Day, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma on Saturday attended the first Hello Meghalaya Music Awards at SRTG Ground, Polo in Shillong.Delivering his address, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, reflected on his own journey from a struggling musician expressing purpose in his journey that has motivated him to help young artists.He said that music and film making have evolved in the state and outlined the innovative initiatives of the government to support and sustain these sectors emphasising the government’s focus on the youth of the state in music, film making, sports and other areas to provide opportunities to the young people to follow their dreams. He reiterated on the government’s approach which is not limited to specific programs or scheme...
NHIDCL: Shillong-Dawki Road Beyond Laitlyngkot Closed After Major Landslide
Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, Shillong

NHIDCL: Shillong-Dawki Road Beyond Laitlyngkot Closed After Major Landslide

A major landslide along the Shillong-Dawki road in Meghalaya on Sunday morning disrupted road communication to Pynursla via Laitlyngkot village.Official sources said that no casualty was reported even as an excavator of a construction company fell down a cliff.Sources at National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) informed the district administration that repair and restoration work is expected to take a few days to complete owing to the extent of the damage caused by the landslide.In view of public safety and ongoing restoration efforts, the district administration has ordered immediate closure of the Shillong–Dawki Road from Laitlyngkot village onwards for all public and vehicular movement.Authorities have advised commuters and travellers to avoid under...
Meghalaya hosts key agri and development push as Sitharaman inaugurates projects
Meghalaya

Meghalaya hosts key agri and development push as Sitharaman inaugurates projects

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the North East is central to India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat, highlighting the region’s vast development potential and the importance of strengthening institutions and implementation capacity to unlock sustainable growth. Speaking at a two-day conference on “Leveraging Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) in the North Eastern States,” organised by the Department of Economic Affairs, she stressed that collaboration between multilateral agencies, state governments and development partners is essential to enhance project effectiveness across the region. Sitharaman noted that the North East holds significant opportunities in agriculture, tourism, culture and natural resources, but has historically faced challenges related to conn...
Meghalaya Govt orders major reshuffle in Police Department
Meghalaya

Meghalaya Govt orders major reshuffle in Police Department

The Meghalaya government has ordered a major reshuffle in its police administration, cancelling the May 12 transfer of DIG Jerry Fiscer K Marak and posting several IPS and MPS officers to new ranges, districts and battalions with immediate effect. A notification issued on Friday stated that DIG Marak’s transfer from Western Range, Tura, to Eastern Range, Shillong, has been withdrawn. Instead, Sylvester Nongtnger, IPS, DIG (Security), Shillong, has been posted as DIG, Eastern Range, Shillong, on the recommendation of the Civil Services Board (CSB). The reshuffle also includes changes in the CID, district police and battalion commands. Shailendra Bamaniya, IPS, SP CID, Shillong, has been transferred as SP, East Jaintia Hills, Khliehriat, replacing Pankaj Kumar Rasgania, IPS, who ha...