COVID claims another life in West Garo Hills

A 46-year-old man, who was tested Covid-19 positive died in West Garo Hills District on Friday.

This was informed by Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh after reviewing the Covid scenario in the state.

“A death has occurred in West Garo Hills. He (the deceased patient) came very late to the hospital,” Lyngdoh told reporters.

She however said, “Whether or not this one case was a case of death due to Covid directly or was it because of some other comorbidity status of the patient will be ascertain at the earliest.”

The minister also requested people to reach out to the nearest facility if they feel that their symptoms are way beyond their redressal as early detection and redressal of the problem is very important.

As of today, the death toll due to Covid in Meghalaya is over 1626.

Lyngdoh also informed that the death audit committee is already in place and said, “We will ensure that we will send all details to the audit committee to ensure whether or not it was a direct Covid related death.”

Stating that the government do not want to panic the public, the minister however said in the event of this one case, the government would like to take all necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the disease.

As on Friday, the state has a total of 17 active Covid cases of which 10 are in West Garo Hills, 5 in East Khasi Hills and 2 in West Jaintia Hills.

Also stating that Covid cases are well under control, Lyngdoh said that there has been no sign that this would take a pandemic situation again adding that “we feel that this is not going to happen but nevertheless one death has occurred, we thought that we should share this with you.”

She further announced that the health department has requested for immediate implementation of all precautionary measures and said, “We request the public at large to kindly adhere to Covid practices so that we may be able to contain the situation and ensure that it does not become a problem. Please wear masks in crowded places, cough with etiquette, wash your hands, use sanitisers.

People with symptoms like cough, fever, sore throat, loss of taste, smell, breathlessness or other respiratory symptoms should immediately reach out to the first testing centres. Testing centres are made available at all block levels, all tertiary care centres will have all these facilities.”

The minister also assured that the state is in a prepared stage to tackle the Covid situation in the state and said people coming from areas with high positivity rate are requested to take personal precautionary measures which include self-isolation.

With regards to the availability of vaccines in Meghalaya, Lyngdoh informed that a meeting will be chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday next, to take a call on the matter.

“Now, the policy on vaccines will be again taken up on Monday when the chief minister will also be available to advise us accordingly, we will then give further information as to what will be the stand of this government on the vaccines,” she said while informing that the Government of India had already indicated it is not going to provide any vaccines and that vaccines or ‘the third dose or booster dose’ will have to be procured by the state.

The minister said, “Covid vaccine is a voluntary decision taken by the citizens. We cannot push or force doses on citizens until and unless they so wish to. So we leave it to the public to decide that is why we are yet to take a call as to what will be the formula that the government would propose. We will be sitting with the chief minister on Monday and we will have a better detail for you at that point of time.”

She however maintained that the covid vaccine has never been made compulsory for the public and that it is purely voluntary on the part of the citizens.

If the government will impose some restrictions on inter-district movement, the minister said, “I don’t want to jump the gun and presume that this situation will completely get out of hand. We will not take any immediate decision but appropriate precautionary measures have been advised to all citizens across the board.”

Meanwhile, the minister also informed that there has been no new variant detected in the cases registered in the state.

“Everything remains the same. Covid is Covid. The variant also remains the same variant, there has been no identification of a new variant or a new type of Covid that will require additional protocol,” she added.

According to her, only few patients out of 17 are being hospitalized and kept in the isolation ward but nobody is being admitted in the ICU.

Guv attends Shad Suk Mynsiem

The Governor of Meghalaya, Phagu Chauhan graced the annual Shad Suk Mynsiem held at Weiking Ground, Jaiaw.

Also present on the occasion was Deputy Chief Minister, P. Tynsong, VPP MLA, Brightstarwell Marbaniang, former MLA, Samlin Malngiang among others.

The three days Shad Suk Mynsiem which began on April 8 came to an end today. The active participation of tribal Khasi men and women in the Thanksgiving dance added grace and grandeur to the event.

Shad Suk Mynsiem concludes

Khasis in the state today celebrated the Shad Suk Mynsiem or the ‘Dance of the Joyful Souls’, an annual Thanksgiving festival.

Thousands of spectators including tourists witnessed the colourful traditional Thanksgiving dancing festival, held at Weiking Ground, Jaiaw in the city for the past over 100 years.

Organized annually by the Seng Khasi Seng Kmie, the Shad Suk Mynsiem, also known as the ‘Spring Festival’ started from April 8 and concluded here on Monday.

Hundreds of people belonging to the ‘Niam Khasi’ including young and old took part in the dancing festival accompanied by the beats of the drums and tangmuri to give thanks to God for all the blessings that he has bestowed.

Highlighting the importance of the festival, an elder of the Seng Khasi said, “Shad Suk Mynsiem is a thanksgiving dance festival of the indigenous people to the Almighty for a bountiful harvest, health, wealth and peace.”

He said the dance was a tradition since its inception but it was only in 1911, the Seng Khasi decided to have it in an organized manner at the Weiking Ground.

He also informed that over 1,451 dancers took part in the Shad Suk Mynsiem.

The festival was also witnessed by Governor Phagu Chauhan, Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and other dignitaries.

During the dance, there was a display of lavish gold and silver jewellery forming part of the attire of the dancers.

The most important of the women’s wear is the silver crown that adorns the heads of the virgin damsel.

The crown and the ‘lasubon’ follower protruding from the nape of the neck, speak of the characteristic qualities that women should cultivate, in the day to day life, in the upbringing of the children in the home and family.

The male dancer carries a silver quiver having three arrows.

The arrows symbolize the lifelong company of a man, from birth till death. In the naming ceremony, three arrows form part of the rituals after the birth of a boy child.

The first arrow is designated to guard oneself, the second arrow is for guarding the honour of one’s family and clan and the third arrow is for the territorial protection of the first ancestral mother of the clan.

It is in the Shad Suk Mynsiem that the beat of drums, cymbals, the melodious tunes of the piped instrument-the Tangmuri, has in them a systematic discipline of rhythm, which is pulsating.

The pattern of dancing responds to the change of beats and rhythm of the music, a music that has been kept alive from the deep recesses of tradition.

The festival is also a message that life should be meaningful, eventful and purposeful.