NEC to facilitate training of youth for increasing employment avenues and meeting industry demands

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 9: The North Eastern Council (NEC) has come forward to promote ambitious Government initiatives programs Make in India, Smart Cities, Skill India, Digital India and Startup India to create more jobs for young designers.

The creative economy is an emerging concept dealing with the interface between culture, creativity, economics and technology in a contemporary world, which is totally dominated by sounds, symbols, images and texts.

Being the most dynamic sector, the creative industries are providing new opportunities for developing countries to fuel employment/entrepreneurship and it generates income, employment and export earnings. The demand for designers is gradually increasing.

Going by conservative estimates, a total workforce of 7 million designers will be required to meet the industry demand. K Moses Chalai, Secretary, NEC opines that this initiative will open a whole new world for the younger generation in the field of design industry which will benefit all across the North East Region.

An inaugural programme will be held at Don Bosco Technical School, Shillong at 10:30 AM on March 10, 2023, under the auspices of the North Eastern Council Secretariat in collaboration with AMTRON. Asufii Christian College, Senapati, Manipur will, also, join it. This programme aims at training youths with plus two qualifications.

The project’s primary objective is to train local youth in the identified areas to acquire the best knowledge as per the international standards to get the best employment opportunity in the world design industry. NEC along with AMTRON is focusing on developing the infrastructure for training of youth in Use Case technologies deployments like 3D Printing and 5G at Shillong and Senapati districts in Manipur to allow optimal use.

The duration of the Course will be Six Month Certificate in Graphic Designing and Animation and the courses are NSQF-4 compliant. A total of 96 students will be benefited from this course (48 Students per location).

The infra so developed shall be used for training of use case deployment for technologies like 3D printing, 5G at both premises to allow optimal use. AMTRON is already in touch with ALIMCO Officials for using these animation labs for using students at these Labs for the digital designing of brochures or publicity materials in Local North Eastern

Languages against payment of stipend to students, using students at these Labs for digital designing of training or instructional videos, 3D Animations in Local North Eastern Languages against payment of stipend to students and holding workshops/training programs (evenings) for the needs of ALIMCO.

Stories of a Shillong boy Part 1: Hill Boy and the Desert

There is a little 10 year old boy in Shillong who has a funny way of looking at things. I call him “Ray” – A named derived from his Khasi first name. I am his mother and this is one of the many stories I have about him.

Now Ray had an intense hate for two subjects in school – science and geography. I’m still drawing nonsensical circles around science, but I think I’ve cracked geography and a geography lesson is one of the most fun things we do together now. I want to talk about a lesson we did a little while ago.

In this lesson, we read about the Thar Desert. The book said something really scary to Ray. It told him that the desert is expanding because we cut down forests and let our cattle eat away all our grasslands. This really worried him. Before we could go on with the lesson, he said, “But I don’t want the desert to reach the Meghalaya.”

I looked at him and said, “It won’t.”

“But the book says that it will.” He insists. “I don’t want to live in a desert.”

I had to think for a bit. See Ray has this way of getting fixated on something and then he dwells on it – a reason why I tutor him myself by redoing every chapter that his teachers have taught in school. His head is full of questions that he would never ask in a classroom kind of space, but he would demand an answer out of me.

“It will not happen tomorrow Ray.” I said, “We’ll all be dead and gone by then. There is no need to stress.”

This did not put him at ease at all. He was worried. “I don’t want to live in India anymore if the desert is growing mei. We have to leave India.”

“There are deserts everywhere.” I said.

“This can happen all over the world?” he asked sounding completely helpless.

“Yes.” I said thinking of Mad Max Fury Road. “But it won’t happen anytime soon. It will probably happen during the time of your great great great great grandchild so you have nothing to worry about.”

This calmed him down for a little while and I was able to finish the lesson. He had his dinner after that, brushed his teeth and got into bed.

As I was tucking him in he said softly, “But I want my great great great great grand son or daughter to live also.”

And it suddenly struck me that even I want my great great great great great grandchild to live.

(This piece has been written by Dalariti Nongpiur with illustrations by Hazel Kharkongor)

2nd time Meghalaya legislator Mayralborn vows to pursue Nongpoh’s pending issues

Correspondent

Nongpoh, March 8:  The second-time legislator from the Nongpoh constituency, Mayralborn Syiem has vowed to pursue the pending issues in the constituency.

While talking to the Meghalaya Times, he said that the issues include the Inclusion of the Khasi language in the eighth schedules of the constitution, the inauguration of the Industrial Training Institute at Nongkhrah, a medical college, improvement of the health sector, C&RD Block at Umden, improvement of the road sector as well as the unemployment issues and some other the issues as well.

Syiem said that Ri Bhoi being selected as one of 112 Aspirational Districts in the country, there is a high chance that even the government of India will consider it as most of the Aspirational Districts in the country have got one so far.

Expressing gratitude to the people of Nongpoh constituency for his win in the recently concluded election, Mayralborn Syiem said “I would like to thank the party workers, the people of Nongpoh constituency for their wholehearted support in the recently concluded election, I expressed my gratitude to all those who have supported me and even more to those who have not supported me.

He said that it is not an easy job to fulfil the aspirations of the people, but despite the fact of being in the opposition for the last term, he has tried his best and now he is a part of the ruling government, Syiem hopes that all will go well for the benefit of the people at large.

“I will try to work harder and I urged my people to remember me in their prayers as I try to fulfil their dreams and aspirations’ Syiem said.

He also urged the people to extend their full support for the betterment and all-round development.

Meghalaya’s legendary musician Lou Majaw releases Riniki Marwein’s ‘Brittle’

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 8: A poetry book titled, ‘Brittle,’ written by Riniki Chakravarty Marwein was launched today at Dylan’s Café, in Shillong.

Meghalaya’s legendary musician Lou Majaw, widely known for his Bob Dylan tribute shows, graced the occasion as the chief guest.

Marwein’s debut work ‘Brittle’ is a collection of poems about childhood and family, love, loss, and memory; and how she dealt with the challenges of the pandemic.

In her words, “I got pretty nostalgia-struck during the lockdown. My childhood and the time spent in India kept roaming in my head in flashback form over and over again. I was home-belted like everyone else and very worried about my loved ones. It got kind of scary, so I had to find a way to let my anxiety out. This is when I started writing the book and I can’t believe it is finally published.”

Marwein further added, “Nostalgia, for me, is always connected to intimacy maintenance: I want to remind myself of the people and places, and what they meant to me. For eg: some poems in my book do have elements of loss, longing, and sadness, but that also reflects the positive experiences – such as how close we are as a family.”

The book launch was followed by an engaging discussion between Marwein and the audience on poetry, music, inspirations, and other subjects.

Majaw, in his trademark denim shorts, leather wristbands and mismatched socks, recited some of the poems from Brittle along with Riniki and performed songs for the crowd that gathered in support of the launch. Ending the event on a high note and praising the author, Majaw said, “I bought Brittle last month from an e-commerce site. I loved all her poems; each so poignant and beautiful, however, a particular composition ‘Sired Evening’ caught my attention. It’s a simple poem but quite moving and introspective at the same time. There’s something about poetry that actually transcends everything else, just like music. I’m so glad to be a part of this beautiful occasion today.”

Brittle is currently available on all leading e-commerce platforms and at select bookstores across the country.

Brittle is Riniki’s debut collection of poems. It is a gathering of family and childhood, love, loss and memory. Brittle is the fuel the poet wrote with during the pandemic, which guides the pieces to come together as a theme. They are simplistic in form and style while bolstering vivid unrests to reveal the poet’s path to finding herself.

Riniki Chakravarty Marwein was born in Shillong and completed most of her education there. She spent most of her career in the PR industry in Mumbai before moving to Singapore in 2008. She holds a Master’s Degree in Mass Communication and Journalism. Riniki has been seriously writing poems since the pandemic. This year, she finally got to organise the pieces in Brittle. She is now gathering gumption for a stint in spoken word poetry.

Thomas Sangma elected unopposed as Speaker of Meghalaya Legislative Assembly

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 9: NPP legislator from North Tura Thomas Sangma has been elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly today.

Thomas filed his nomination on Tuesday. His candidature was proposed by Ampareen Lyngdoh and Marthon Sangma from the NPP and Paul Lyngdoh and Mayralborn Syiem from the UDP.

“Since there is no other nomination, Thomas will be formally elected on the 9th this Month in a special session in the House,” Assembly’s Commissioner & Secretary Andrew Simons had told reporters.

This was after the opposition parties decided not to field candidates for the election to the Speaker’s post.

The MDA-2 government has the support of 45 MLAs of which 26 are from NPP, 11 UDP, 2 BJP, 2 HSPDP, 2 PDF and 2 Independents.

The opposition bench on the other hand has a strength of 14 members which include 5 Congress, 5 All India Trinamool Congress and 4 Voice of the People Party.

Speaking over the phone on Wednesday, VPP president Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit said that his party has decided not to field a candidate for the Speaker’s post because “we don’t have the number”.

In Meghalaya, 45 out of 59 winning candidates are crorepatis, as per analysis report

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 8: Forty-five of the fifty-nine winning candidates in the 2023 Assembly elections are crorepatis. This was as per a statement issued by Meghalaya Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) after having analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 59 winning candidates.

These include 20 (77 per cent) out of 26 from NPP, 9(82 per cent) out of 11 from UDP, 4 (80 per cent) out of 5 from AITC, 3 (60 per cent) out of 5 from INC and 2 (100 per cent) out of 2 from BJP winning candidates have declared assets worth more than Rs. 1 crore.

The average of assets per winning candidate in the Meghalaya Assembly Elections 2023 is Rs 10.14 Crore while it was at Rs 7.18 crore in 2018.

The average assets per winning candidate for 26 NPP winning candidates is Rs 6.83 crore, 11 UDP winning candidates is Rs 19.96 crore, 5 AITC winning candidates is Rs 12.72 crore, 5 INC winning candidates is Rs 3.03 crore, 2 BJP winning candidates is Rs 14.91 crore and 2 Hill State People’s Democratic Party winning candidates have average assets worth Rs 32.21 crore.

The top three winning candidates with high assets are UDP chief and Mairang MLA Metbah Lyngdoh with Rs 1,46,31,51,838,  HSPDP MLA Methodius Dkhar – Rs 55,10,00,487 and  Sniawbhalang Dhar  – Rs 45,35,80,343, while the winning candidates with the low assets are AITC legislator from Dadenggre Rupa M. Marak with Rs 5,19,949, VPP legislator from North Shillong with Rs 13,61,442 and UDP legislator from Mokaiaw Nujorki Sungoh with Rs 18,73,220.

A total of 8 winning candidates have declared liabilities of Rs 1 crores and above. Of this, the top 3 winning candidates are Metbah Lyngdoh with Rs 44,54,23,816, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar with Rs 7,28,20,406 and Sosthenes Sohtun with Rs 4,78,90,545.

The 3 winning candidates who have declared the highest income in their Income Tax Returns include Sniawbhalang Dhar with Rs 30,39,76,984, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar with Rs 4,64,89,741 and  Methodius Dkhar with Rs 2,43,95,433.

Also, 3(12 per cent) out of 26 NPP winning candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

2 (8 per cent) out of 26 NPP winning candidates have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

With regards to educational qualification, 17 (29 per cent) winning candidates have declared their educational qualification to be between 8th pass and 12th pass, while 39 (66 per cent) winning candidates have declared having an educational qualification of graduate and above. 3 winning candidates are Diploma holders.

37 (63 per cent) winning candidates have declared their age to be between 25 and 50 years while 22 (37 per cent) winning candidates have declared their age to be between 51 and 80.

Meanwhile, only 3 (5 per cent) winning candidates are women.

Meghalaya: VPP already gearing up for 2024 MP polls

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 8: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has appealed to the citizens of the state to support the party candidates for the upcoming district council and MP elections to be held next year.

In a statement, VPP spokesperson Dr Batskhem Myrboh said however, as of now the party has not decided the names of the candidates for these elections. “The matter will be decided by the party at the appropriate time,” he added.

Expressing appreciation and gratitude to all the supporters of the party across the state, Dr Myrboh said, “Your strong support has made a mark in the politics of Meghalaya when four of our candidates emerge victoriously to represent the issues affecting the citizens of the state. Your support to the party that stands for clean and principled politics and substantive democracy provides hope that the state of Meghalaya will one day be a model state in India- a state that we will be proud of.”

The VPP has won 4 seats in the 60-member House in the just concluded 2023 Assembly polls.

Upscaling Hobby to Business- the story of Harador Khariong’s Plant Parenthood

“If done with full commitment and passion whether it’s art, science or music, one can achieve their goal to make things work better and the satisfaction you will get is beyond your imagination”— Harador Khariong, Founder-Plant Parenthood
For Harador Khariong, a resident of Wahingdoh Shillong, East Khasi Hills Meghalaya, Plant Parenthood started as a hobby and out of love for plants during her college days. This eventually became more interesting and turned to be a career option in planting in the year 2020, especially succulents because they were relatively easier to take care of.
It was during the Northeast Food Show 2022 that Harador saw few entrepreneurs with their stall under the umbrella of PRIME, after which she learned in detail about PRIME and how it has helped entrepreneurs succeed in their business. Therefore, in the same year she enrolled herself in the Pre – Incubation batch 3.
Through the PRIME’s Pre-Incubation program, she learned more about upscaling her business and ultimately launched the ‘Plant Parenthood’ initiative.
This article has been featured in collaboration with PRIME Entrepreneurship Meghalaya. To know more about PRIME, visit: https://www.primemeghalaya.com/

Opposition will keep govt on its toes: Ronnie V Lyngdoh, CLP Leader

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 7: Congress Legislative Party (CLP) leader Ronnie V Lyngdoh has stated that the opposition bench will ensure that the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance-2 government is put on its toes and works for the interest of the people.

Lyngdoh told reporters today that the question of who will be leader of opposition is therefore irrelevant because the three political parties will play the role of a constructive opposition.

The combined strength of the opposition bench is 14 of which 5 are from Congress, 5 All India Trinamool Congress and 4 Voice of the People Party.

The Mylliem legislator however said that if one goes by convention then the post of leader of opposition should go to the Congress, being a national party.

“But then we will work it out as we are there to provide constructive opposition. If as a constructive opposition we can ensure the state benefits, I think that will serve the purpose,” he stated.

The three opposition parties had tried to form an alternative government with the United Democratic Party, Hill State People’s Democratic Party and People’s Democratic Front but failed after two HSPDP MLAs decided to support the NPP.

Later, the UDP and PDF also went to extend full support to the Conrad K Sangma-led government.

When asked, Lyngdoh said, “I think they (HSPDP, UDP, PDF) have opted for a better option ‘stability’ for the state.”

“I hope this stability will ensure development and prosperity for the people of the state which is badly required,” he added.

He further urged the new government to take all basic necessities be it health infrastructure, education sector and others into consideration and “ensure in the next five years the state moves forward in every sphere be it in infrastructure, be it in social sector, be it in any sector.”

Ampareen urges political parties to take state forward

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 7: The newly sworn-in cabinet minister of the National People’s Party Ampareen Lyngdoh today called upon all political parties to unanimously decide to take the state forward.

After the swearing-in ceremony, Lyngdoh asserted the need to ensure that post-election stability is once again brought about as she was referring to the fragmented mandate in the Khasi Hills as ‘worrisome’.

“I think now across the board all political parties should unanimously decide to take the state forward,” she told reporters.

Lyngdoh, who is the lone woman in the Conrad K Sangma ministry, added: “We cannot afford to slow down development and progress in the state of Meghalaya and in the interest of the people and the state of Meghalaya we must all work towards a common goal.”

“Yes, we may have differences of opinions but these opinions should not be at the cost of the progress of the state of Meghalaya,” she further stated.

Stating that she is looking forward to being party to this rejuvenation of the NPP and coalition partners of the MDA-2, Lyngdoh said, “We need to make sure all the issues are addressed. We must make sure that this image that the NPP has in the minds of the people should be immediately erased. We have to start pulling our socks”.

The East Shillong legislator said, “In my personal opinion though I am not aware yet of the assignments to be given to me and departments to be handed over to me but I can assure one thing that we need to make sure that issues that have been flagged for so long by the people of the state of Meghalaya should be addressed one after the other.”

Meanwhile, Lyngdoh also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for gracing the occasion and said that his interest in Meghalaya is genuine.

“Meghalaya is not sans India. We are part of this nation and I am so delighted and honoured to have been on the same stage with the Prime Minister of this nation because we have to march together forward with the entire country. You cannot expect any criticism of this humility displayed by the Prime Minister of this nation. He is already aware of the complex mandate of the people of the state of Meghalaya but yet he made time and he made himself available which means that his interest for the state of Meghalaya is genuine. That is important and people should not deviate from that fact,” she added.