Meghalaya still on track to host National Games

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 12: The Meghalaya State Olympic Association (MSOA) and the state’s Sports and Youth Affairs department have submitted details to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on the preparation for the National Games.

During the special annual general meeting of the IOA held yesterday, the newly elected President of IOA Dr PT Usha stated that the IOA is committed to conducting the National Games as allotted and is trying to conduct the National Games every year so as to clear the backlog of pending National Games of Goa, Chattisgarh, Uttrakhand and Meghalaya.

MSOA working president John F Kharshiing, informed  the President  IOA that Meghalaya had to reschedule the entire preparation due to the two years of Covid-19 lockdown, and had recently successfully revived and conducted the 3rd state games in February 2020, the 4th State Games in May 2022 including the prestigious 2nd North East Games in November 2022 and that construction of a number of prestigious sports infrastructure was already ongoing and in an advance stage in both Shillong and Tura (sub city) in preparation for the hosting of the National Games.

Kharshiing informed the IOA president that as per the timelines of the progress of the various ongoing infrastructure work Meghalaya would be tentatively ready to host the National Games in 2025. He also informed the IOA officials that late RK Sachetti, former Chairman, GTCC Committee for Meghalaya, had visited Shillong in January 2020, however since his sad sudden demise in May 2021, the IOA was yet to communicate who would be replacing him to coordinate with the MSOA and the State Government relating to the National Games.

The IOA president informed that the new office bearers have just taken over the Indian Olympic Association and will review the submissions and will be connecting with the Meghalaya State Olympic Association shortly to review the timelines of the pending National Games.

Prior to the meeting in the IOA President’s official chambers the MSOA officials attended the Special Annual General Meeting (SAGM) presided over by Dr PT Usha, wherein among other matters the IOA SAGM heard the report from Amitabh Sharma, Executive Council Member, & Chairman, GTCC – 37th National Games, Indian Olympic Association, who briefed the house that based on their recent visit to Goa and meetings with the Goa State Government it has been confirmed that the XXXVII National Games will be held in Goa this year during end October 2023.

Earlier in her opening remarks the IOA president had called on all to unite for the sake of the athletes and to strive towards the goal set by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi that India must become a sports super power by 2036.

Women share experiences at Women’s Day event celebrated in Meghalaya’s capital city

Staff Reporter

Shillong, March 12: The Junior Chamber International (JCI) Shillong Pinecity celebrated Women’s Day at Prime Hub Meghalaya yesterday where women’s health and well – being were the main themes of the event.

Three accomplished women were invited to speak as guests as a part of the subject which included Shaidalin Marbaniang, a renowned female entrepreneur who makes completely compostable sanitary napkins, Dr. Jagjeet Sethi, a renowned dermatologist from Hope Clinic, Shillong, and Dr. Kerlin Mihsill, a renowned gynaecologist from Hope Clinic, Shillong.

The three notable speakers shared their personal and professional life experiences and well as their vision for women folk.

In addition to Dr. Sethi and Marbaniang educating the audience about women’s hygiene, well-being, and strategies to deal with medical issues, Dr. Mihsill gave a presentation on improving women’s health. The presentation was followed by an open forum where members and other guests put up questions which the speakers provided better understanding about the health and wellbeing of women.

It may be noted here that JCI Shillong Pinecity is the local branch of Junior Chamber International (JCI), a global non-profit organisation dedicated to developing young, engaged citizens and leaders. JCI operates by empowering its members to make a good, long-lasting difference in their local communities.

From shop keeping to becoming a knitting entrepreneur- The story of Malpleasha Mylliemngap

Shillong | March 8, 2023
Malpleasha Mylliemngap, is a mother of 5 who hails from Laitkroh, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya. Prior to taking up knitting garments as a full fledged business activity, her main source of livelihood was through shop keeping. Knitting was only a hobby before she took it up as a livelihood activity.
It was on days when her shopkeeping business was very low that she started knitting boots for babies through which she received many other orders because of the unique designs and quality products. Soon after, she also got orders for knitted scarves and shawls. Through her undivided commitment and perseverance, more orders came in for knitted caps, socks, purses, hoodies and dresses. She extensively relied on YouTube tutorials to learn different techniques and designs.
She also started a knitting class at the cost of five hundred rupees (₹500/-) per person where she provides training to the youth not only to upskill them but for employment generation. She has created a name for herself in her village and her daughter who is also a nurse makes time amidst her busy schedule to learn her mother’s craft.
Malpleasha wishes to expand her business and be able to be completely depend on it for her daily sustenance. As the knitting process is a tedious one that requires a lot of time and patience along with skills, it was a challenge for her to complete all orders on time because she did not have additional skilled manpower to help her. She also struggles with the lack of readily available and cheaper wool. The wool that she uses is bought from Shillong which is approximately 25km from her village.
Her enthusiasm for knitting led her to get identified under the PRIME Sauramandala Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (PSREF), a project under PRIME Meghalaya. Now she also hopes to come up with an official brand name for her products and also be financially able to purchase machines to produce uniform products. She was able to make the most use of support provided to her as part of the PRIME programme that helped her realize her potential.
This article has been featured in collaboration with PRIME Entrepreneurship Meghalaya. To know more about PRIME, visit: https://www.primemeghalaya.com/