REDUCE TO ASHES 

Is there any trace of an omen? A  lightening  strike  had  reduced  to  ashes  of  the  bachelors  dormitory, owned  by  former Chief  Minister Mukul Sangma at Gambegre in the Garo Hills.  The “Nok-Achik” is a  dormitory  of  bachelors,  who  among  themselves  retreat  in  the  evenings  in  sessions  of  discussions   on  social  affairs  and  also  youth  activities  aimed  at  the  betterment  of  society  at  large. The youths  prepare  themselves to tackle  the difficulties  in  the  day  to  day  life  and  plan  for  the  betterment  of  the  future.Why therefore  such an  institution  was  burnt  to  ashes  by  the  forces  of  nature?  Though  of  course  the  weather  conditions  in  Garo  Hills,  saw  heavy  rains and  thunder  storms,  specially  affecting  the  Ampati  constituency. A streak of  lightening  accompanied  by  a  roar  of  thunder,  struck  the  traditional  Non--Achik  dormitory.  There  can  be  many  interpretations  or  can  be  explained  as  a  freak  of  nature,  yet  it  can  also  be  an  unseen  prediction  of  the  course  of  events  in  the  political  scene  in  Garo  Hills.  

State Consumer Helpline to be operated by KJWA

The Khasi Jiantia Welfare Association (KJWA) in collaboration with the Food civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Government of Meghalaya has set up State Consumer Helpline for the State of Meghalaya.

The Consumer Awareness Scheme was approved by the Economic Affairs on 24^th January 2008 to empower consumers by educating them of their rights and responsibilities. The Department of Consumer Affairs (GoI) has a consumer awareness and protection programme under the banner of ‘Jago Grahak Jago’.

The first step taken by KJWA is to make public aware about the existence of this helpline. The Association has travelled to different Schools, Colleges and remote areas of the state to preach people about this help line number.

With this toll free help line 1800-345-3678 consumers will have the assistance to solve the matters themselves with just a phone call. The State Consumer Helpline is an initiative by KJWA by signing MoU with the State Government. The objective of this consumer helpline is to provide clear and practical advice of various issues relating to consumers rights, to improve the quality and availability of information.

Consumers having complaint can register themselves with any of the three agencies depending on their losses, any consumers faces i.e. less than 20 lakh to the District Forum, 20 lakhs and 1 crore to the State Commission and if more than 1 crore the consumer can complaint to the National Commission.

THE HAJONG PLUNGE 

Ampati  awaits  the  crucial  and  prestigious  final  contest   to  the  sixty  member  Legislative  Assembly  of    Meghalaya.   The  stronghold  of  the  Congress  and  former  Chief  Minister  Mukul  Sangma,  who  had    now  chosen  his  27  year  old  daughter  Miani D. Shira to hold the fort.  Though  her  father  and    mother  Dikancchi  Shira  are  seasoned  politicians,   Miani  is  coming  out  in  the  field  for  the  first  time.  She  is  pitched  against  Clement  Momin  of  the  National  People’s  Party  (NPP),  who  obviously    has  the  advantage  of  the  ruling   Meghalaya  Democratic  Alliance.  However,  in   between  comes  in  Subankar  Koch,  who  was  denied  a  BJP  ticket,   yet  determined  to  go  ahead  as  an  Independent.  Therefore,  the  Koch  factor  could  upset  either  side  in  the  matter  of  the  voting  pattern,   although  the  BJP  is  coming  all  out  right  from  the  national  and  state  leaders,  who  are  thick  in  the  campaign. The total voting strength of Ampati is thirty thousand. Subankar  Koch  has  a  slice  of  ten  thousand  votes,  specially  from  the  Hajong  and  Koch  and  also  Garo  and  Muslim communities,  which  can  tip  the  scales  in  favour  of  Clement  or  Miani. 

HYC wants colleges to give first preference to local Youths

The Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC) delegation lead by Roy Kupar Synrem met the principals and heads of the different colleges which include St Anthony’s College, St Edmund’s College, Shillong College, St Mary’s College and others to demand that colleges should give first preference to local students for admission in their respective institutions.

 Synrem said that it is important for these colleges or institution to give first preference to the youth of the state so to inspire them to go for higher studies and not spending so much money to get admission outside the state. He added that the heads of the different institutions have also assured to look into the matter.