State seeks Central aid to set up Anganwadi centres
Staff Reporter
Shillong, Sept 20: The Meghalaya government has sought the Centre’s support for setting up of Anganwadi centres in over 1500 villages across the state.
Replying to a query raised by AITC MLA from Ampati Miani D Shira in the Assembly, Minister in-charge Social Welfare Paul Lyngdoh said, “We have already moved the Ministry of Women and Child Development for total coverage of uncovered villages.”
He said that the government will be in a position to set up Anganwadi centres in uncovered villages within the next 1-2 years.
He said the 1,500 uncovered villages are presently being taken up under the Early Childhood Development Programme.
The minister also informed that nine applications were received from East Khasi Hills alone for setting up of new main Anganwadi centres and 27 for mini Anganwadi centres.
Lyngdoh further informed that he will also convene a comprehensive review of the existing Anganwadi centres across the State in October. He also assured to look into the concerns of all members in regard to these centres during the upcoming review meeting.
Congress Mawhati MLA Charles Marngar had wanted to know what happened to the rice cooker given to Anganwadi centres with no electricity connection while Umsning MLA Celestine Lyngdoh requested the need to ensure water supply to the centres and Amlarem MLA Lahkmen Rymbui stressed the need to have a synergy between the social welfare department and the health department and education department for the proper development of the children in the state.
AIM against gambling in melas
The Awakening Indian Movement (AIM) has sought the intervention of the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills district to ensure a blanket ban on gambling at melas being organized by different agencies.
Speaking to media persons, chairman of AIM Bansharai Marbaniang said that many people from other part of the country come to Meghalaya to host various kinds of melas, however these melas have games that encourage gambling with money which is detrimental and have a negative impact on the welfare of the people.
Marbaniang alleged that melas throughout the country are being held in order to provide entertainment to all citizens where they can experience happiness especially for children, students, and youth but at present melas in Meghalaya are being held with gambling which have detrimental and a negative impact on the welfare of the people.
“During our visit to the mela held at the Parking Lot outside Polo Ground in Shillong, the mela hosted various gambling activities with money and young people and students in uniform participated in various gambling games” said Marbaniang.
Marbaniang said that AIM is not against organizing melas in the state, however it stands against the act of gambling that is being held at the venues hence the AIM sought the intervention into this matter.
HYC seeks action against culprits involved in ‘harassment’ of church leaders
The Hynñiewtrep Youth Council (HYC) today demanded from the state government to take up the matter with the government of Bihar to punish those who were involved in manhandling two religious leaders from the state.
Speaking to media persons, HYC president Robertjune Kharjahrin said that it is unacceptable for certain groups in Bihar to manhandle two religious leaders from Meghalaya as the constitution of India allows any religion to go for any religious activity.
Kharjahrin said that in Meghalaya every religion be it Christians, Hindu or Muslim has their own rights to do their own activity and nobody has ever interfered hence, the same spirit should be upheld and accepted in all parts of India.
“The constitution of India has given a religious right to all the people to go for any religious activity and there is no law yet to stop this, so we request the government of Meghalaya to pursue the matter with the government of Bihar so that those who were involved in manhandling two religious leaders from the state should be a book as per law,” said Kharjahrin.
Kharjahrin said that the HYC also demanded from the Home Ministry government of India to ensure that this should not happen in the future and it should ensure the safety and security of all religious communities across the country.
On the other hand leaders of the HYC urged that people of the state to not respond irresponsibly to such reports without knowing the full side of the story as it might lead to misunderstanding among other communities.
Church Leaders Forum expresses concern
The Khasi Jaintia Church Leaders’ Forum (KJCLF) has expressed concern about the situation in Bihar where a Christian Pastor and a Church elder from Shillong had encountered some incidents of hostility and aggression which could have put them in grave danger.
“We initiated prayers and intercessions for their welfare and safety and are thankful that no harm has befallen on them as we also received information that they are returning back home,” Secretary of the Forum Rev Dr Edwin H Kharkongor said in a statement here.
He said the KJCLF denounces the perpetration of violence against the Christian Mission workers, and expresses its appreciation to those responsible in the administration of both the States for the efficient communication between them and sorting the situation out in proper manner.
Meanwhile, the Forum also appealed to social media users to restrain from spreading news which has the propensity to provoke unwanted reactions.
Moreover, in supporting the work and services of Churches and Christian Mission organisations, the Forum also called on all concerned to be aware of local prevailing situations while fulfilling their mission work in other parts of the country.
When two days ago Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited a Christian place of worship on Easter Sunday the Forum appealed to those in authority in the country to see that peace and harmony prevail in society.
NE Cancer Hospital patients get a massive scare
Residents of Mawsmai (11 Mile area), Jorabat and patients of the North East Cancer Hospital escaped injuries after a transformer located in front of the entrance to the hospital burst into flame today.
Fortunately, quick thinking and action by the residents who quickly doused the flames prevented any injuries.
The cause of the fire could not be ascertained by the filing of this report. The incident occurred at around 12:30 AM just outside the campus of the North East Cancer Hospital within the Jorabat Police Outpost.
Those who witnessed the sudden blaze immediately informed the fire station in Guwahati whose personnel rushed to the spot to take control of the situation and after a few hours of continuous efforts by the firefighters, the blaze was doused.