Meghalaya

A Shillong court has granted bail to two co-accused in the murder of Raja Raghuvanshi, Lokendra Singh Tomar and Balbir Ahirwar. The release was based on the defense's argument that Tomar and Ahirwar had cooperated with investigators and were not directly involved in the case. The move has sparked debate over the case's progress and the investigation's momentum. Raja's family has demanded a speedy trial and strict punishment for all involved. The primary accused, Raja's wife Sonam, remains in custody after her surprise surrender on June 9. Raja's decomposed body was discovered in a gorge near Cherrapunji on June 2, containing multiple injuries and two fatal head wounds. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Special officer and senior advocate Subhasis Chakrawarty has cautioned East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner RM Kurbah against carrying out any eviction drive targeting hawkers from Khyndailad (Police Bazar) here, stating that such action would violate the Meghalaya High Court's order. In a letter to the DC, Chakrawarty cited the HC's July 3 order, which instructed that a list of licensed vendors be prepared in consultation with the general secretary of the hawkers' association, local authorities and police. "This direction of the high court has not yet been complied with, and therefore the question of who are the unlicensed street hawkers at Khyndailad area remains undetermined. As such, if any eviction drive is carried out at this stage, it will be a clear violation of the HC's ord...

With just under two years to go for the prestigious 39th National Games, the Shooting Association of Meghalaya has launched a state-wide selection drive to identify top shooting talent to represent the host state. The trials, aimed at building a competitive team, kicked off over the weekend in various districts and drew participation from a wide range of age groups and backgrounds.The 2027 National Games, which will be held in Shillong for the first time, mark a milestone for Meghalaya in the country’s sporting history. In preparation, the state is focusing on a transparent and performance-driven selection process to ensure the best athletes are given a platform to shine. “This is a golden opportunity for Meghalaya not just to host but to excel on home soil,” said JF Kharshiing, Presid...

B Saroja Devi, a Padma Bhushan recipient and renowned Indian actress, passed away at 87. She worked in over 200 films, including Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. Saroja Devi films: The pivotal moment in her career occurred with the 1958 Tamil classic "Nadodi Mannan," where she appeared alongside MG Ramachandran (MGR). She made her debut in Telugu cinema in 1957 with "Panduranga Mahatyam." The subsequent year, she ventured into the Tamil film industry with "Nadodi Mannan." This was succeeded by her entry into Hindi films in 1959 with "Paigham."Saroja Devi awards: Indian actress, Anita Sen, was honored with India's fourth highest civilian honour, Padma Shri, in 1969 and Padma Bhushan in 1992. She also received the Kalaimamani Award from Tamil Nadu and an honorary doctorate from Bangalo...

The Shooting Association of Meghalaya on Sunday said it has initiated a series of trials to identify the best talent from the state, which is gearing up to hosts the 2027 National Games. The 39th edition of the National Games, a prestigious sporting event in the country, will be held in Shillong for the first time. It will bring together top athletes in various disciplines from across the nation. Officials are confident that the exposure and experience gained through the trials will translate into a competitive edge at the Games.

A major milestone for local digital entertainment has been reached by Hello Meghalaya, the first indigenous OTT platform in the northeastern state, which has accumulated 10 million content views in its first year of existence. The website celebrated its first anniversary on Friday, having registered nearly 200,000 members and received 380,000 downloads since its launch on July 11, 2024. The fact that users watch content for an average of four and a half hours shows that they are very interested in locally generated content. "Ka Chithi," "Pynngop," "Ka-Daw," "9-Lad," "Jingim," and "Ahor" are among the six films that have surpassed the one million view mark; they all tell tales with roots in Meghalayan customs and culture. The streaming service has established a distinct market niche...

Byrnihat continues to lead the charts as the most polluted city in India in the first half of 2025 while Delhi stood a distant second, according to a new analysis. According to the analysis by independent research organisation Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Byrnihat recorded an average PM2.5 concentration of 133 micrograms per cubic metre, while Delhi's PM2.5 levels reached twice the national ambient air quality standard at 87 micrograms per cubic metre. Hajipur (Bihar), Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Sasaram (Bihar), Patna, Talcher (Odisha), Rourkela (Odisha) and Rajgir (Bihar) were the other cities in the top 10 most polluted list. Aizawl in Mizoram was the cleanest city in the country in the first half of the year.

BoAt's Valour Watch 1 GPS, featuring a 1.43-inch AMOLED display, water resistance rated at 3 ATM, and AI-based workout detection, is the latest addition to their Valour series in India. boAt Valour Watch 1 GPS: Price and Availability: The Boat Valour Watch 1 GPS is priced at Rs. 5,999 for the Active Black model, Rs. 6,499. It comes in Fusion Black and Fusion Grey variants. Customers can buy it through Boat India, Amazon, Flipkart, and select retail stores. The Valour Health & Wellness Package is also available for free. boAt Valour Watch 1 GPS: Key Features and Specifications: The boAt Valour Watch 1 GPS features a circular AMOLED screen, X2 chipset, AI workout recognition, real-time fitness data, 300mAh battery, and swim tracking with detailed analytics for swimming performance...

A significant milestone in Meghalaya's agricultural exports was reached when Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman signed off on a 2-metric-ton cargo of premium organic pineapples to LULU Retail in Dubai. Under the Megha-LAMP program, which is sponsored by IFAD, the export, which comes from farmers in the Ri-Bhoi area who are part of the Jirang Organics Farmer Producer Company, symbolizes the state's increasing significance in the worldwide horticulture value chain. The government gave checks to recipients of the PM MUDRA, PM SVANidhi, PMEGP, and NPS Vatsalya schemes during the occasion at the LARITI Center, marking a significant entrepreneurial drive. Funding was given to entrepreneurs in a variety of industries, including homestays, printing and stationery, baking, and agriculture, to ...

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday revealed that Meghalaya has received over 48,883 crore in tax devolution from the Central Government over the past decade-marking a 572% increase compared to the Rs 7,273 crore received during 2004-2014. During her visit to the state, Sitharaman addressed the media and highlighted the significant financial backing extended to Meghalaya under the NDA government. Grants-in-aid also nearly doubled, rising from Rs 19,700 crore in the previous decade to ₹40,452 crore between 2014 and 2024. She credited the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme as a key driver of this financial transformation. Under SASCI, Meghalaya alone received Rs 5,471 crore in interest-free, long-term loans to build infrastructure and acc...