It has been an often repeated truth that Kashmir is a Paradise on earth which had unfortunately become a hell of hatred and turmoil by self inflicted pain which may be blamed on many actors but all said and done it was self inflicted.
The most important question about Kashmir has been whether the ethnic identity should be preserved at all cost and whether that is more important than socio economic development for the people and whether both are exclusive of each other and one has to be achieved at the cost of other or there is a via media.
Nestle India in collaboration with Commissionerate of Food Safety Meghalaya Shillong, National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) launched the initiative in Meghalaya to train over 500 street vendors in Meghalaya.
The Launched was attended by Mr. Sanjay Khajura, Director Corporate Affairs, Nestle India, Ms. Sangeeta Singh, Head Street Food Program (NASVI) and Shri A. L Hek Minister of Health and Family Welfare Department.
Speaking during the program Director Corporate Affairs, Nestle India Mr. Sanjay Khajura said that the purpose of such program is to help and encourage vendors to delivers healthier food to tourist of people in the region. He added that the foremost aim of Nestle is to bring out positive behavior to the street vendors and also to collaborate with all stake holders towards bringing in positive behavior among the vendors in the State.
Meanwhile Minister of Health and Family Welfare Department Shri A. L Hek said that there is a need to trained vendors to ensure that they serve hygienic food to the costumers. All street Vendors in the State shall undergo basic training in delivering hygienic food and safety for both vendors and customers.
The project ‘Serve Safe Food’ was launched in 2016 to provide street vendors in training on food safety and hygiene awareness.
Rotavirus Vaccine vaccination launched in East Khasi Hills
As part of the observation of Poshan Maah, the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills District, Smti M. War Nongbri today officially launched the Rotavirus Vaccine (RVV) vaccination in the District at a function held at Baniun village under Mylliem C&RD Block, East Khasi Hills District.
Speaking on the occasion, Smti War said that Rotavirus vaccine (RVV) is a vaccine used to protect against rotavirus infection, a highly contagious virus, and it is the most common organism that causes diarrheoa among young children which may lead to hospitalization and even death.
Smti War appeal the parents, members of NGOs and community leaders to come forwards and join hands with the health officials of the District to ensure that rotavirus vaccine is administered to all babies to enable themto enjoy healthy life.
Smti War also urged the students to spread the message of Rotavirus vaccine vaccination and make their parents aware about the importance of immunizations of children.
Later, to mark the launching of the Rotavirus vaccine vaccination, Smti War along with others officials administered vaccine drops to infants.
Earlier, Dr. R. R. Marak, District Nodal Officer, RVV, East Khasi Hills gave a presentation on Rotavirus and its vaccine, while Smti O. Sumer, DHEO, East Khasi Hills spoke about the importance of nutrition and balanced diet in our daily life.
The programme was also attended by Shri P. T. Passah, BDO, Mylliem C&RD, Dr M. R. Basaiawmoit, DM&HO, East Khasi Hills District, Dr. D. P. Syiem, Sr. M&HO, In-charge Pomlum PHC, Representatives from the Dorbar Shnong, Pomlum, teachers and students from the area
Meghalaya Government to stress on Early Childhood Development
MeghalayaChief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, today inaugurated the Dissemination workshop on Meghalaya’s experience of improving ECD (Early Childhood Development) and nutrition outcomes: results from an integrated community-led pilot in Rongram, Tura at a daylong workshop led at Asian Confluence, Laitumkhrah, Shillong.
Delivering the Keynote Address and sharing Meghalaya government’s vision for the provision of integrated services for young children’s development, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma said that ECD and nutrition of children, pregnant and lactating mothers is an area to which the government is focussed on and taking up on a priority. “While there are challenges of containing the IMR and MMR rates there is a parallel challenge of dealing with the high fertility rate which results in a woman giving birth to five six children which brings innate challenges of its own,” said the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister while highlighting the various aspects of the programme ‘MOTHER’ said that economic empowerment and making the woman productive is very crucial. “The various departments be it Health, Education, Social Welfare or Rural Development have been working in silos and there was no system in place for policy makers to have an insight or to have the various programmes of the departments monitored, through ‘MOTHER’ the different departments will be integrated through technology for better and efficient tracking, monitoring and implementation of the programmes under various departments for children and women,” he informed. He also said that the Self Help Groups will be strengthened and added that SHGs is the best institution for ECD and other programmes for child and mother development.
Earlier, Commissioner & Secretary, C & RD, P Sampat Kumar, spoke on what the State can do to develop the full potential of the children and said that the shift of ECD is now from survival to thriving. He also said that the knowledge acquired from ECD pilot in Rongram can be used and layered across SHGs and layer ECD in Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS) immediately. He also proposed setting up of Knowledge Institutions to work across the departments.
Mukul Sangma alleged corruption in Saubhagya Scheme
Leader of Opposition Dr. Mukul Sangma today alleged corruption in the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MEECL) especially in the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, Saubhagya Scheme.
The central scheme Saubhagya was launched in September 2017 which aims to achieve the goal of universal household electrification in the country. Meghalaya has been divided under two packages i.e. A. Khasi Jaintia and Ribhoi region and B. Garo Hills in which total of Rs 657 crore has been sanctioned for providing electricity connection to 1,99,835 households in the eleven districts of the state.
Dr. Mukul Sangma said that there is deep criminal conspiracy which involve in the corruption in the project. He added that from the beginning there was report of manipulation of documents in the bidding process and that the bidding was just a formality as the department has already identified the winning contractor prior the bidding.
It maybe mentioned that the State Government has already missed the deadline of 31st March 2019 and eventually the department has sought extension of time to complete the work till 31st March 2020.
Leader of Opposition also said that he have inputs that one bidder has filed a petition to the Meghalaya High Court but later on the petitioner withdraw the petition which is surprising. He even went to say that even the bills were not scrutinized by the finance department before the payment were made.
The Opposition party will raise this issue in the upcoming Assembly and will demand the State Government to investigate the corruption in the Saubhagya Scheme and to punish all those involve in the corruption.
HYC demand strengthen of VDP and Directorate of Anti-Infiltration in Meghalaya
After the declaration of National Register of Citizens(NRC) in Assam several neighbouring states in North East region including Meghalaya have put up several entries and exits point to tackle the influx in the state. Over 19 lakhs citizens were left out in the latest NRC list which as release on 31st August.
The Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) today met the Director General Police of Meghalaya Shri. R. Chandranathan to demand the Meghalaya police to strengthen the man power in the Directorate of Anti-infiltration.
Speaking to reporter after the meeting President Robertjune Kharjarin said that after the release of the NRC, those whose names excluded from the list will automatically sneak into Meghalaya as they have nowhere else to go, therefore it is the duty of the Police Department to increase their man power in the anti- infiltration directorate in all district of Meghalaya. He also added that all Village Authority and Village Defence Party should be given ample power in order to prevent entry and settlement of illegal immigrants in any villages of Meghalaya. The Union has also suggested to setup 24*7 check gate in each and every roads both at interstate and international Border of the State.
Meanwhile Director General Police of Meghalaya Shri. R. Chandranathan said that the Police Department will set up grievances officers to deal with the issues and help line number will be displayed in the Police websites for any query regarding this matter.
