Meghalaya Tourism Min says “Rule of law must prevail” over new norms for hit-and-run case

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Jan 5: Tourism Minister and MDA spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh today said that the rule of law must prevail.

He was responding to a question on the 48-hour protest called by the tourist taxi associations against the yet-to-be-implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) which seeks to increase the punishment in hit-and-run cases.

“This is a matter of concern not just for Meghalaya but the entire nation and of course we have seen a rise in cases of harsh driving and a lot of cases where drivers have taken undue advantage of the laws of the land. So the rule of law must prevail,” Lyngdoh told reporters.

The minister said, “As we speak, this is a protest that is being organised across the country so in fact movement of tourists is impeded across India and it is not something that Meghalaya on its own specially being a landlocked state not take measures of our own it has to be in tandem with what the rest of the country is doing.”

Today, tourist taxis in Meghalaya stayed off the roads in support of the country-wide protest against the BNS.

Meanwhile, the tourist taxi associations have decided to end the 48-hour protest tomorrow.

From memories to dreams: Dominic Sangma uses his past to pave the way to his future

By Preetty Chambugong Marak

Shillong, Oct 19: In a life filled with stress and momentary joy, most of us don’t even remember what our childhood looked like and even if we try to it’s just ‘faint’ memories that exist. But is it possible for anyone to carry their childhood memories and portray them through other means? Perhaps a ‘No’ for most of us, but for filmmaker Dominic Sangma, this is an exceptional innate ability. He lives, creates and again recreates his memories through films while reviving his childhood struggle and memories of innocence.

Born and brought up in a small village of Nongthymmai in Ri-Bhoi District, the Garo filmmaker Dominic Sangma has been re-living his childhood memories through his films. He says that his inspiration for making ‘Rapture’ comes from his childhood memories which can be witnessed in the film. Apart from this, his simplicity and unique perception of viewing minute details have contributed to his journey of making films and winning accolades globally.

Making Meghalaya proud, Dominic Sangma, the writer, director of the film ‘Rapture’ recently won the Cultural Diversity Award at the 16th Asia Pacific Screen Awards and premiered at the prestigious Locarno Film Festival. It is all set to be screened at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles 2023 (IFFLA). This is his second film after Ma’ama.

Talking about the film he says, “RAPTURE is the second part of the trilogy I am working on, the trilogy is based on my memories in the village. Rapture is about this young boy who is affected by a common decision taken by the adult”, says Dominic.

When asked about the difficulties in the filmmaking process, he said, “We shot just after the second lockdown, it was a stressful time, everything seemed difficult to execute, and our terrain is tough for the vehicle to take heavy equipment, so one day somehow one of the vehicles and a jimmy jib went up this slippery road and managed to reach the location, we set the camera on the jimmy jib and rehearsed the shot, somebody from the team ran over the switchboard that connects to the jimmy jib and there was a loud noise of something exploding inside the switchboard and to our shock we realised the remote control of the jimmy jib had stopped working, I was completely broken inside but thanks to my great team, both cast and crew, someone came up with this ingenious idea of tying a rope to the jimmy jib and operating it. If the whole team believes in the idea of a Director anything is possible. To back it up I had an amazing producer and executive producer Gunme R Marak during the shoot, who was the Iron Lady of Rapture, once she gave her word, there was no looking back for her. She even managed to train a horse to pull cart in just one day”.

Sharing a funny anecdote while filming ‘Rapture’, he said, “There are many funny anecdotes from the shoot, one among them was, my production designer team had to design and gather lots of props before the shoot. And these designs are circulated in our WhatsApp group of the core team for approval. One of the designs was a police warrant for one of the characters in the film, my executive producer saw it and she freaked out and gathered the core team in an emergency, I was very worried, she whispered and told us about it, the design was so realistic she thought that it was real police warrant but it was a just a prop for the film. We all burst into laughter when we found out that she was freaking out because of it”.

He believes in the sincere approach to telling stories while keeping in mind that audiences are a part of the film, he says, “As a director, we should be very sincere in our approach to telling stories, we should never underestimate our audiences and try to spoon-feed them. Trust their abilities to understand the film, maybe their interpretation will be more enriching than what we intended to be. And it is already happening with Rapture, so many people who have watched the film wrote to me about their experiences of watching Rapture. There is no spoiler for a good film”.

While talking about his inspiration for filmmaking, he says, “It goes back to the time when going to school was a herculean task. My school was 5 km away from my village, my village is on top of a hill, and going up and down every day was something I dreaded, I hated school, but in retrospect, I realised our education system is the place where all our creativity dies but somehow I manage to retain a bit of it by using imagination to get away from the reality of climbing the bad road to my village, I would make up stories to myself like I am some hero where I am fighting with bad guys and rescuing people from some bad events, I will completely be lost in the stories and forget the tiredness of climbing. Also when I was growing up, I liked to hang out with old people maybe because I lost some of my close friends very early in my life. My grandfather and grandmother would tell stories, I think these are the seeds that made me a filmmaker today. Another bad experience in school led me to join film school, I was studying in Higher Secondary taking Science just because I got first division and it was one of the most depressing two years of my life, there was no time for anything except for studying, so one day I bunked my class and went to attend a workshop of filmmaking conducted near my school, for the first time I realised there was a place where I can study film making in FTII and SRFTI, ever since then I put DIRECTOR on my study chair. I got into SRFTI and I discovered myself here”.

Regarding the film scenario in Meghalaya, he said there is a drift in film-making and “Yes, it is changing, there are many new talented filmmakers who are emerging from the state. Hoping to see more good films in the future”.

He concluded by saying “Gather lots of memories” as advice to the upcoming filmmakers.

Govt examining proposal to adopt CBSE syllabus

Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma has informed that the government is examining the proposal to adopt the Central Board of School Education (CBSE) syllabus in the state.

“We are now examining the proposal to adopt the CBSE curriculum in order to improve the confidence and standards of our students in the state,” Sangma told reporters today.

“It may not be whole but certain sections and step by step we are exploring on how to bring the best education environment for the students,” he added.

The minister further asserted that the whole idea is to ensure the confidence and standard of the students of the state will be at par with the rest of the country.

Guv’s nod awaited for setting up of Captain Williamson Sangma State University

Minister-in-charge of Education Rakkam A Sangma has informed that the government is waiting for the Governor to give his assent to the Captain Williamson Sangma Technical University (Amendment) Bill, 2023 passed by the State Assembly recently for setting up of a State University.

“We have just passed the Act in the Assembly and once the Governor gives his assent, we will work out the modalities on how to go ahead and to start the State University at the earliest possible,” Sangma told reporters here.

He said that having a state university after 50 years of statehood is a milestone for the government.

The Captain Williamson Sangma State University (Amendment) Act, 2023 proposes to amend the Captain Williamson Sangma Technical University Act.

The objective of the Act is to have State Universities catering to both higher and technical education offering higher education in the fields of humanities, general sciences, engineering, physical sciences, life sciences, commerce, performing arts, professional courses, technology and related areas.

It will also provide scope for research, advancement and dissemination of knowledge therein.

The minister said the problem related to the CUET will be resolved to a great extent once all colleges are affiliated to the State University.

“Not only about the CUET issue, it is for better education facilities for our students. Due to certain limitations, we have to ask for an exemption and we cannot ask for an exemption again and again. Therefore, we have to find a way forward and a better solution for our students,” Sangma added.

Reading Guv’s speech was much easier than listening, says Meghalaya Cabinet Minister Paul Lyngdoh

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 20: United Democratic Party leader and cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh today said reading the Governor’s speech was far better than listening to a language which he can hardly understand.

ALSO READ: 'Centre should send Governors who can speak the language' says Meghalaya Cabinet Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh

Lyngdoh told reporters that rule 28 of the rules and conduct of the business of the State Assembly is very clear that a member can make a submission in his mother tongue provided that the same copy of the speech is made available to the Speaker.

ALSO READ: Meghalaya CM says 'Patriotism doesn’t grow by hating others' reacting to VPP's walkout protest

“Ideally speaking, though when you communicate I would have preferred an address in a language that I can thoroughly understand but today to compensate that what I did was read the Governor’s speech in English and reading is far better because you internalise all points of the speech better than listening to a language which I can only half understand,” he said.

The cabinet minister added, “The speech was placed on the table of every member. Two, what he delivered was an abridged version of the speech. He did not cover the entire speech which was covered by the written text. The written text had many pages but the governor spoke barely 15 minutes.”

His statement came after the VPP legislators had staged a walkout in protest against Governor Phagu Chauhan for delivering his address in Hindi during the first day of the Assembly’s budget session.

Lyngdoh however said the opposition will do its duty and the treasure is also supposed to do its duty. He also maintained that there is no question of any imposition and said, “Hindi is considered the official even constitutionally Hindi is the official language of this country, it is not the international language of this country.”

Meghalaya Tourism department to up the ante; 1st of its kind ropeway project soon

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 15: Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh has informed that his department will try to upscale the level of tourism in the state.

ALSO READ: Meghalaya Cave in East Jaintia Hills now 7th longest in India

“…most importantly, the focus will not be on footfalls, not on the numbers of tourists who are visiting Meghalaya but more on the quality of tourists visiting Meghalaya meaning that the success of the department will not be viewed in terms of how many arrivals but generally we will try to upscale the level of tourists in Meghalaya,” Lyngdoh told reporters.

ALSO READ: CUET exemption for Meghalaya? MDA 2.0 awaiting Centre’s response

He said there is a need to enhance the infrastructures in the state in order to achieve this objective to upscale the tourism industry in the state.

“To do that, we need to enhance our infrastructure and this is linked to various other departments. I am sure that under the able leadership of Conrad K Sangma, this will be possible and we will be in a position to optimize the potential of Meghalaya as a tourism destiny,” he said.

The state government and the tourism department have proposed to implement the first of its kind ropeway project at Shillong viewpoint.

When asked about the status of the project, Lyngdoh said, “These are ongoing projects and hopefully we will be in a position to physically open to the public in the next six months’ time.”

“Work has already started. I mean a lot of work which you don’t see physically – land issues and stuff like that which have already been handled. The physical execution should be visible max six months from today,” he added.

If the government is contemplating to implement similar projects in other parts of the state, the minister however said, “Right away all I can state is that we are in the process of finalizing the state budget so depending on the budget allocation of the department of tourism, depending upon on central funds that will be made available, depending on externally aided projects, cumulatively this will work into how much we strengthen our infrastructure, ropeways or whichever ways.”

Asked on the steps to be taken to protect the caves, which are one of the main tourist attractions, from the negative impact of coal mining in the state, Lyngdoh said, “We will go out of our way to ensure preservation and maintenance of these caves. That is the policy of the government and that is the policy that I am going to adopt. How to do it, leave it to the wisdom of the minister in-charge and the government of the day.”

Lyngdoh concluded by saying “Leaving aside initiatives, what we need most is focus, prioritization. Have your priorities, have your focus, everything else will fall into place.”

Meghalaya Cabinet Minister Paul Lyngdoh urges to improve ‘documentation practice as a powerful weapon’

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 15: United Democratic Party leader and cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh has asserted the need for the state to strengthen its claim over the areas of difference with documentations which according to him are ‘powerful weapons’.

ALSO READ: Meghalaya Cave in East Jaintia Hills now 7th longest in India

“Well a lot of people can say a lot of things. Opinions are opinions. Finally, what matters is the truth. So how will we strengthen that truth or a claim over of that particular plot for instance? Documents, we need documentation nothing more,” Lyngdoh told reporters.

ALSO READ: CUET exemption for Meghalaya? MDA 2.0 awaiting Centre’s response

“We can give all the best lectures at Motphran but finally what do you need, documents, maps, papers. Strengthen your claims with documentation then nobody can say anything, you’re armed with a powerful weapon,” he added.

His statement came as a reaction to the recent claim made by the Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma that Mukroh village falls under the boundary of Assam and the subsequent rejection by Meghalaya deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong, who had reiterated that Mukroh is well within Meghalaya territory.

When asked, Lyngdoh said, “As I said I do not believe in empty rhetoric. We can claim a lot of things, they can claim a lot of our areas, that’s how the discourse of politics is being run in this country but at the end of the day what you need, you need to be armed with documents, so strengthen that.”

The UDP in its election manifesto had assured to review the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Assam in regards to the six out of twelve areas of difference.

To a query on this regard, the UDP leader said that the party will stick by the MoU wherever the state stands to gain.

“Wherever we stand to gain, we will stick by the MoU wherever we stand to lose we will get that particular area revisited. That’s our stand,” he maintained.

Cabinet Minister Paul Lyngdoh dubs Meghalaya as an ‘Abode of Talent’ at International Film Festival

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 14: In a first of its kind, Meghalaya witnessed its first International Film Festival which was organised by the Meghalaya Filmmaker’s Association in collaboration with Meghalaya Tourism. The opening ceremony of the festival was held at U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong in which Tourism and Arts & Culture Minister, Paul Lyngdoh graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

ALSO READ: Meghalaya UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh refers to his departments as 'Single Package'; Terms them all as priority areas

While delivering his address, Lyngdoh stated that Meghalaya apart from being known as abode of clouds, it is also an abode of talents and creativity. He said that the international film festival is the celebration of Meghalaya’s potential in producing artists and arts in the form of films which will enable the state to compete on the national stage and beyond.

Lyngdoh said that the international film festival is a great opportunity to showcase a unique and rich culture and tourism potential basket of the state. He also encouraged the youth to learn and be inspired through the film festival, which can go a long way in transforming the film industry in the state.

He also emphasised that the government is committed to setting up state of the art cinema halls which will further boost the film industry in the state. The minister further added that the sparks lit today will eventually lead Meghalaya to be an inferno of talent, creativity and huge potential.

It may be mentioned that the 1st Meghalaya International Film Festival will continue for 5 days across 4 venues in which over 40 films will be screened.

Meghalaya Education Minister Rakkam Sangma for fast tracking teacher recruitment

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 10: Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma today asserted the need to improve the educational sector through fast-tracking government elementary teachers recruitment, contextualise State Curriculum Framework(SCF) in the context of the National Curriculum Framework(NCF) and in line with the New Education Policy 2020, as well as capitalizing on the current initiatives of the State Government on infrastructure upgrade, improvement of quality education through the child-tracking system under Vidya Samiksha Kendra and streamlining teacher’s salary.

In his first interaction with the senior education department’s officials, Rakkam A Sangma also informed that the letter of request for exemption of CUET in respect of the State of Meghalaya from conducting the CUET for the State’s under graduates Institutions for the current academic session has been dispatched through the Chief Minister’s Office.

He also stated that the request letter for extension of the last date of registration for CUET to 31st March 2023 for the State of Meghalaya has been forwarded to the Director General, NTA, New Delhi, citing reasons of the recent Legislative Assembly Election which resulted in the delay of State Board examination wherein, several rural-based students are facing problems of applying/registration in the CUET portal due to remote location, internet connectivity and inaccessible terrain challenges.

The minister also made a brief visit to the Directorate of Educational Research & Training and exhorted all the State Education Team to work tirelessly for furthering the quality of education in the State.

Meghalaya UDP legislator Paul Lyngdoh refers to his departments as ‘Single Package’; Terms them all as priority areas

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 9: Cabinet minister and West Shillong legislator Paul Lyngdoh today referred to the four departments – social welfare, tourism, arts & culture and textile – as a ‘single package’ as that they are all interlinked and are priority areas for him.

The United Democratic Party leader also asserted the need for the MDA government to reiterate the demand for immediate implementation of the inner line permit (ILP) while citing countries like Israel which despite being almost inaccessible yet having a marvellous footfall of tourists.

“All of these departments are priority areas and more importantly they are all interlinked. If you look at tourism it is linked to arts and culture, it is linked to social welfare and again it is interconnected to textiles – so all the four departments are in fact a single package,” the minister told reporters.

Stating that his focus would be to optimize the potential of the state, Lyngdoh said, “Meghalaya is so blessed. We however continue to be poor people inhabiting a rich land. Why can’t we be rich people inhabiting a rich land? Why do we have so many who are underfed, so many who are economically deprived, why? God has given us so much, so let us make the best use of what we have and tourism, every single family in Meghalaya should have more than enough because of one single factor, tourism. Why do we say we are deprived, we are backward, we are underfed, how, why, so that is where I would like to focus my energy on.”

On Meghalaya still lacking in terms of air connectivity and other important infrastructures to boost the tourism industry, Lyngdoh however said, “The basic infrastructure has to be in place. So my focus will be to connect the dots. We just need to connect the dots and you get the answers.”

Disagreeing with those who alleged that ILP would be a big hindrance to tourism in Meghalaya, the tourism minister said that getting a Visa to Israel is ten times more difficult than ILP but yet it draws many tourists.

“I have travelled to Israel. It’s so very difficult for anybody to travel and get inside Israel. It is a major tourism hub and destination. Anybody who tries to get into Israel and when you actually are to attain your visa unto Israel you have to do so much. It is almost inaccessible yet it draws so many tourists you know the footfall is marvellous so getting a visa to Israel would be ten times more difficult than your ILP or any other system you want to have in place. It is so difficult and yet people try their best,” Lyngdoh said while adding “Please do not forget that it is so simple you can’t date a very pretty girl if she is so accessible to everybody, she has to play hard to get.”

The UDP leader further asserted the need to push for the implementation of the ILP and said, “It is crystal clear that the ILP was adopted in the form of the resolution by the state assembly and I think that needs to be reiterated by the House, reiterated by the cabinet and take it forward.”

As social welfare minister, Lyngdoh expressed concern over the menace of drugs in the state.

“That is a major area of concern. Our young people are a source of strength and energy, if you give them the right direction and right path but it is like a river, a river can be tapped to become a source of power like a hydro project or power plant but if the same river is not controlled it can lead to flood and landslides so let us harness that energy and once that energy is harness properly our youths will atomically turn away from drugs,” he said.

On the issue related to sex workers, Lyngdoh said, “Absolutely an area that we need to focus on and where I see again coming back to the point I made earlier that if the focus is right if you pay adequate attention this is an area where we can deal with. It’s fundamental that nobody would like to be involved in that kind of profession or whatever you call it. It is all because of the fact that it is because people are being driven to that particular profession because they need to feed themselves and their families, it is not that they are drawn or attracted to it.”

Lyngdoh said, “There are always lessons to be learned in life and whether you take it as a form of self-praise or whatever but you should realize the fact that this is in fact a cabinet comprising of highly experienced and educated persons and apart from anything else I have always stress on the 3Es – experienced, education and ethics – when you combine the three nothing can go wrong.”