Meghalaya Guv unveils monoliths outside Raj Bhavan

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Jan 21: On the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of statehood day of Meghalaya, the Governor, Phagu Chauhan today unveiled ‘Ki Mawbynna” or monoliths erected outside the main gates of Raj Bhavan, Shillong in commemoration of 150 glorious years of Raj Bhavan.

On the occasion the Governor also inaugurated a beautiful tree house constructed in the sprawling lawn of Raj Bhavan, adding to its majestic beauty.

The unveiling was witnessed by the officers and staff of Raj Bhavan led by the Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor, Dr. B D R Tiwari

Formerly known as Government House, the Raj Bhavan was the one of the first houses to be built in Shillong. Designated as the official residence of the then Deputy Commissioner, Colonel Henry Stuart Bivar, it was designed, built and modelled to showcase the grandeur of the British Colonial Rule. In 1874, when Shillong became the Headquarters of the newly created province of Assam, Bivar house was transformed into the Chief Commissioner’s Residency.

The Residency, however, was damaged beyond repair in the Shillong earthquake of 1897. The present building was constructed over the remains of the Residency and was occupied in 1903-04.

The Government House was renamed as “Raj Bhavan” on December 6, 1951.  

After the independence of India, this symbol of the British Raj, in gradual transformation, became the symbol of a vibrant democracy, and ever since it has been the residence of the Governors of the State.

Mental health of trafficked survivors matters!

Varalika Mishra

Pallabi Ghosh says, “Mental health is critical as girls and women are constantly stigmatized, their family don’t even understand the trauma they went through, and there are severe consequences.” Born and raised in Lumding, Assam, Ghosh has rescued over more than 7,000 girls and boys from trafficking. According to her, trafficking greatly impacts the individual’s mental health. She has rescued hundreds of women and children from child marriage, forced marriage, child labour and prostitution. “Trafficking is a heinous crime. Most people get lured into it for a job, marriage, or love. They are innocent people who do not realise the consequences of what they are getting into. They come from vulnerable areas of remote India. My work focuses on post-rescue rehabilitation, where we counsel trafficking survivors and monitor them constantly for behavioural issues. Every 15 days, I analyze their physical, social, and psychological status and gradually reduce the frequency once we see healing. Just rescue doesn’t ensure recovery,” she adds.

According to reports, most girls die by suicide due to the discrimination they face after being rescued. According to Pallabi, the real work starts post-rescue as that is when a supportive environment needs to be provided to the survivors for holistic development, and it is not an easy job to implement. Pallabi is the founder of Impact and Dialogue Foundation which helps in implementing various workshops for the survivors and in sensitizing the system about trafficking.

Impact and Dialogue Foundation provides destigmatization workshops for the members of the system, like families, social welfare officers, police, and other stakeholders, ensuring that they look at the survivor with dignity. It is crucial to realize that survivors are not responsible for getting trafficked in society. “I need much assistance in making people understand that trafficked survivors must heal and reliving the stories repeatedly through different types of questioning by the media and courts further aggravates their pain,” says Ghosh.
Impact and Dialogue Foundation creating a difference

“Our work is creating a difference. We have girls coming up sharing their stories, being a part of the policy and decision-making process, are a part of our stitching centres, along with kitchen gardens and self-help groups. They earn some money which gives them empowerment. We conduct vocational training and arrange for the survivors to learn computer skills and English-speaking courses to build their confidence further. We drive various workshops to help them get skilled and represent themselves in society,” adds Pallabi. With Impact & Dialogue Foundation, she aims to create awareness about trafficking of all forms. Contact +91-9811737441, Email- impactdialoguefoundation@gmail.com for any assistance.