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Prior to the “Cherry Blossom Festival 2017” the Mukul Sangma led government had been facing criticism for the extravagant spend on the fourday multi-crore festival at a time when Meghalaya is reeling under financial crisis. There was plenty of criticism since the cherry refused to bloom especially inside Ward’s Lake. It is no doubt that this year, the pinkish and white cherries took its own time to bloom but critics must know that sometimes even science cannot predict nature. The Ward’s Lake which is the main attraction during this pink and white festival saw only a few of the cherry’s bloom but other parts of Meghalaya such as Upper Shillong, Laitkor, Golflink, Pyndengrei in Nongstoin West Khasi Hills saw plentiful of Cherry that did not fail to amaze its spectators.

During the inauguration on 8th November in Ward’s Lake, Aldous Mawlong the Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya decided that the show must go on, blossom or no blossom since tourists from around the country and abroad had already reached Shillong.

The Himalayan cherry blossom is a real sight to behold and grows wild in the Khasi Hills. The India International Cherry Blossom festival is yet another reason for drawing visitors and tourists to Meghalaya, the North-eastern State of India. The festival is set up around Shillong’s picturesque and legendary Ward’s Lake. The festival is being touted as the world’s only Autumn Cherry Blossom Festival which was held from 8th to 11th November 2017. The entire state became a live stage for music, dance and other performances. The festival featured a number of events such as guided night walk beneath illuminated cherry blossoms, a fashion show, live music gigs and a variety of stalls showcasing region’s cuisine, art, craft and wine. Rock concert, unplugged western music, traditional folk music, dance performances from all over the northern parts of India, choir performances, bicycle rallies, photography competitions, storytelling sessions of the world and local folktales are all the other attractions for the visitors.

Donboklang Wanniang

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Blessed with vibrant culture, rich biodiversity and sublime climate, tourism has been a priority sector in Manipur. With road, air and proposed rail connectivity with all major Indian metros and its immediate neighbor Myanmar and other South East Asian countries, Manipur surely could be your next holiday destination, if you love to explore the unexplored and experience a kaleidoscope of cultural expression.

In fact Manipur is set to leverage the state’s strategic advantage of being the land bridge head to southeast Asia vis-à-vis the thrust given to India’s Act East policy to integrate Indian market with the blooming market of the ASEAN countries.

The Manipur Sangai Festival which happens for 10 days from 21st November to 30th November is a major annual tourism promotional festival of the government of Manipur to sell the state as a holiday destination.

2017 marked the 6th edition of the festival and the new government of the state succeeded in up-scaling the event to a new brand by including an array of well-intended events like the international Northeast Development Summit, inaugurated by none other than the President of India with all the Northeastern state representatives, the dazzling display of sight & sound at the scenic Loktak Lake, eco-adventure activities and exhibition matches at the Khuman Lampak Sport Complex, water-sport activities in Tamu, a part of the largest fresh water lake, Loktak. Trade shows at the sprawling Trade & Exhibition Centre at Lamboi Khongnangkhong, cultural performances at the Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre, Food and exhibition stalls at Hapta Kangjeibung, a river festival at the local wine brewing village of Sekmai, an Art Camp for the fine artist, the village fair or the Sangai Khunung Festival and of course the International Polo tournament at the world’s oldest polo ground in the heart of Imphal added to the glitz.

Sunzu Bachaspatimayum

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The three day ‘Namami Barak’ festival after ‘Namami Brahmaputra’, a noble and innovative concept of Sarbananda Sonowal Government has opened a new vista of hope for the 40 lakh people of Barak Valley. It has been a multidimensional and multifaceted initiative in close coordination with the administration of all the three districts of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi not only to build up ties and revive heritage but also to showcase Barak’s potential and possibilities to emerge as a hub of trade and commerce. A new dimension was added to the Grand River festival by arranging various events and cultural programmes in different venues like Aartighat, Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat, Barak Museum, Agrasar Barak, Food Zone, Sports Zone, Amader Barak, Theatre and Kushiara Eco-zone.

It was not just a show but a serious effort by any state government after 70 years of Independence to take up concrete action plan for development of the most neglected and discriminated south zone. People could realize Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal “meant business and his heart was open equally for this valley”. Paying rich tributes to river Barak, the lifeline of the valley, the Chief Minister dedicated his government to work in the larger interest of all sections of people. More inspiring were the words of Ram Nath Kovind, President of India, at a glittering function of the closing ceremony, when he hailed “Namami Barak as opening up immense opportunities for development of Barak”.

“The people of this valley are lucky”, the President said, “Who live along the bank of Barak which means most fortunate”. He also had high praise for the most dynamic Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal who was the very “epitome of achievements.” Barak and Brahmaputra Valleys share same hopes and aspirations in quest of peace and harmony as noted singer Bhupen Hazarika describes Assam as the most beautiful land with bountiful of nature. Barak would be a link to ten ASEAN countries with the trans South Asia connectivity. The President said, “I am definite that 2018 will bring cheers for the people of this valley.”

Himanta Biswa Sarma, Minister of Finance, Health and Education, focused on the river system of this zone and said, “This valley has rich culture, literary values, tradition and the water bodies of Chatla and Sonbeel representing the eco system of pride which can be exploited to develop trade and tourism”. The festival has also brought into focus how the ever improving and expanding air, rail, road and highway connectivity, the most important being Silchar-Saurashtra Super Highway, will make Silchar play a pivotal role in the Act East Policy. With Barak being declared as National Waterway 16 by the NDA Government, the Chief Minister launched dredging of the river to make it navigational which will be completed by June 2018. That will be yet another major move forward for economic boost up and industrial rejuvenation.

Jyoti Lal Chowdhury

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ERBFU urged government to compensate farmers

The Eastern Ri Bhoi Farmer Union (ERBFU) has urged the District Horticulture Officer of Ri Bhoi District to examine the huge losses incurred by farmers cultivating ginger in different parts of Ri Bhoi District.

D.S Rynghang President of ERBFU, in a memorandum submitted to the Horticulture Officer said that information was received that farmers in Ri Bhoi are facing difficulty because of ginger cultivation in places like Barapani, Umroi, Kyrdem, Mawpun, Raid Iapngar Mawbsein and Tyrso- Umtyngngan.

The Union leader urged the state government to provide assistance to those farmers who have incurred losses from ginger cultivation. Meanwhile, the District Horticulture Officer has assured the Union members that the matter will up seriously by conducting an inquiry to find out the root cause for the ginger to get damaged.

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C.M laid down the Foundation Stone for Shillong Medical College

Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr Mukul M Sangma laid the Foundation Stone for Shillong Medical College on PPP mode at Reid Chest Hospital, Mawbah, Shillong in the presence of Minister, PWD (B) etc Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh and Minister, Urban Affairs etc., R V Lyngdoh.

While addressing the inaugural function Dr Mukul M Sangma said he is happy laid down the foundation stone for the medical institution in the region. He added that establishing infrastructures and taking up projects on PPP mode is a very challenging task for a government as the concept of PPP model is still new. He expressed hope and with the coming up the medical colleges in Shillong and Tura the challenge of providing space for competent young men and women who want to become medical professionals will be addressed while providing access to better health care facilities for the people

Other dignitaries present during the Foundation Stone laying ceremony were Minister, Urban Affairs etc R V Lyngdoh, Minister, PWD (B) etc., Dr M Ampareen Lyngdoh, Secretary of KPC Medical College, Kolkata, Krishna Das, Finance Secretary, KPC Medical College, Kolkata, Uttam Das and Dr D Lyngdoh, Director, Health Services (MI) who delivered the Welcome address. Also present was Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare etc P W Ingty.

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Inter-State Youth Exchange Programme launched in Shillong

As part of the nationwide youth programme, “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shillong just like any other State today inaugurate the ‘inter-state youth exchange programme’ in the presence of W.R. Lyngdoh, IAS, secretary, Education department. This nationwide youth programme is being organised by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, and Sports in collaboration with the department of Education, government of Meghalaya.

Speaking at the function which organised in Youth Hostel the main objective of the exchange programme is to encourage and celebrate unity in diversity, to promote national integration and to showcase heritage, custom, and tradition of the country. Under the Programme, Meghalaya is being co-partner Arunachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

In a nutshell ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ (one India, great India), was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the 140th Birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhhai Patel.

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Meghalaya government pushing for Organic farming

The Agriculture Department is set to convert around 40,000 hectares into organic certified land and the process is already in its second or third year in some areas. 

While speaking during the celebration of ‘World Soil Day’ P Sampath Kumar, Commissioner and Secretary of the Agriculture Department said that uses of chemical fertiliser had degraded the soil quality which compels the government to push for organic farming since 2014.

Apart from 40,000 hectares, the Government is pushing for another 2 lakh hectares of cultivable for organic farming. In the future the Government is planning to cover the entire state just like Sikkim.

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KHNAM accused PWD (Roads) of biased treatment

The Khun Hynniewtrep National awakening Movement (KHNAM) submitted a memorandum to the chief Engineer PWD (Roads).

In the memorandum the KHNAM accused the Government of Meghalaya especially the department of PWD (roads) of turning blind eye to the roads conditions of the rural areas located at the Khasi hills district, Jaintia Hills district, and the Ri-Bhoi district. It also claimed that more emphasis have been given only to Garo hills.

While speaking to the media person Mr. Thomas Passah stated that tender notified have shown crores of rupees for repair/construction of roads located at Garo hills and very less attention is being paid to the roads located at other regions.

An example can be seen with the Mawthabah­-Wahkaji whereby surprisingly no amount has been allocated for the repair and construction of Wahkaji-Mawthabah roads in South West Khasi Hills.