7th NEGC-2023 concludes at USTM

The three-day-long 7th North East Graduate Congress (NEGC)-2023 has successfully concluded today at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) with the participation of more than 10,000 college students from various colleges of the eight northeastern states of India.

Among the various competitions, the Best Performing College award went to Sibsagar College, while Kampur College won the Best Magazine prize. The Best Debater award went to Saphira Magdaline Lyngdoh from St Anthony’s College, Shillong, and the winner of the Cultural Procession was Mayong Ancholik College.

A total of 46 competitions in various sports, cultural, literary and start-up categories, as well as sessions on competitive examinations, personality development and a job fair took place in this mega youth event. Attractive awards worth Rs 50 lakh, including two-wheelers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones and cash prizes were awarded to the winners of different competitions.

Addressing a large gathering of students and teachers, Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of USTM, said, “We have been organising NEGC to benefit the region’s youths by helping them set their vision so that they can shoulder responsibilities and contribute to nation-building.” NEGC is the most acclaimed flagship programme of USTM that aims to inculcate the spirit of competitiveness, regional integrity, social harmony and brotherhood among the youth, he added.

To provide the best employment opportunities to the educated youths of the region, a mega job fair was also organized for the NEGC participants. More than 500 Graduates from various institutions participated in the Job Fair. Companies such as Bajaj Allianz, Reliance Jio, Kotak Life Insurance, CavinKare, Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail, MGT Motors Pvt. Ltd were a part of the Job Fair to recruit the youths. Around 150 students have been shortlisted for different positions from technical to non-technical profiles.

A spectacular view of the rich cultural mosaic of the North East was showcased by thousands of the youth from different colleges of the eight states of the region at the playground of USTM. The inaugural ceremony of NEGC-2023 was witnessed by a galaxy of prominent personalities ranging from youth icons, academia, politicians, cultural and sports icons, motivational speakers, principals of various colleges, faculty members and many students.

In this 7th edition of NEGC, various co-curricular activities were organised. The cultural competitions include cultural showcasing, skit, group song, group dance, on-the-spot painting, mehendi, cartooning, photography and rongoli. The sports competitions are volleyball, kabaddi, chess, arm wrestling, powerlifting, badminton, basketball, and horse riding. The literary competitions include debate, quiz and start-up.

Dalu, Asiragre under grip of African Swine Fever

Staff Reporter

Shillong, April 6: The state government has declared Dalu and Asiragre villages under Dalu Block in West Garo Hills District as ‘epicenters’ of African Swine Fever.

This was based on the test result of pig tissue samples dated March 30, 2023, regarding confirmation of the African Swine Fever outbreak in Meghalaya by the North Eastern Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (NERDDL) Guwahati vide letter dated March 31, 2023, Secretary in-charge AH & Veterinary Dr Manjunatha C said in a notification issued today.

As per the National Action Plan for control, containment and eradication of African Swine Fever published by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, the restrictions are applicable with immediate effect in the villages under 1 (one) a kilometre radius surrounding infected premises (epicentre of disease) designated as “Infected Zone” and in all villages falling under 10 KM radius surrounding infected premises (epicentre of disease) designated as “Surveillance Zone”.

Restrictions in the Infected Zone:

The notification said there shall be no movement of pigs, genetic material, meat, feeds, equipment, veterinary medicine from Infected Zone into Surveillance Zones and Disease-Free Zone.

All equipment/supplies associated with pig should not be moved out of the pig sheds/pig farms in Infected Zones.

The pig farm owners and pig handlers shall maintain hygiene and bio-security in pig farms and restrict entry of people into farm premises.

There shall be restrictions of the movement of people to the infected premises.

There shall be a complete prohibition of the movement of pig handlers from one pig shed to another.

Vehicles shall be allowed to move out of the infected zone only after cleaning and disinfection.

If pigs are swill-fed, the source of the swill feed should be traced for identification of other possible contact premises.

No person is allowed to take out any pig alive or dead which is infected or suspected to be infected from African swine fever.

No person is allowed to take out any pig feed or bedding materials or other materials namely carcass, skin or other parts or products of such animals which has come in contact with any animal infected or suspected to be infected from African swine fever.

The carcasses shall not be allowed to move out of the infected premises and shall be disposed of in the infected premises itself.

In case of exception where carcass disposal is not possible, the transport of carcasses should be undertaken by the agencies under the control of the District Veterinary office following strict biosecurity protocols and using leakproof vehicles.

The dead pigs should be should be disposed of by deep burial with sufficient lime cover only and not thrown in rivers/canals/streams/water bodies.

After the carcasses have been disposed of, the premises and any potentially contaminated vehicle and equipment shall be cleaned and disinfected under the supervision of the Veterinary Officers/Rapid Response Team (RRT).

Preliminary disinfection of infected premises should be carried out under the direction and supervision of Veterinary Officers/Rapid Response Team (RRT).

Secondary disinfection shall be carried out by the owner in accordance with the direction of the Veterinary Officers/Rapid Response Team (RRT).

Contaminated feed, slurry, swill, bedding, farm waste products, litter in infected premises shall be disposed of by deep burial.

There shall be a complete ban on the slaughter of pigs and the sale of pork and pork products in the Infected Zone.

Swill feeding (kitchen and restaurant waste) of pigs is prohibited.

Pig markets and abattoirs in the infected zone should strictly be closed down.

The District Veterinary Officer and RRT shall take steps locally to ensure that everyone in and around the infected zone is made aware of the restrictions and requirements in force there.

Local institutions such as Municipalities, village Dorbars, Dolloi, Headmen, Nokmas etc, shall assist the Veterinary Officers/RRT in the discharge of their duties and take necessary measures to prevent the outbreak or spread of disease as provided under Section 30 of the Act.

Whoever places or causes or permits to be placed in any river, lake, canal or any other water body the carcass or any part of the carcass of any animal which at the time of death was known to be infected with ASF, shall be guilty of any offence and on conviction, be punished in the cases of a first offence with a fine of two thousand rupees or with imprisonment of one month in case of non-payment of fine and in case of subsequent conviction with a fine of five thousand rupees or imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with both as provided under Section 33 of the Act.

Under Section 40 of the Act every Competent Officer, Director, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department and Veterinary Officer while exercising any power or performing any duty under the said Act shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of Section 21 of the Indian Penal Code.

Hamlet appointed as CM’s adviser

Staff Reporter

Shillong, April 5: Former Mylliem MLA and former Cabinet Minister Hamletson Dohling has been appointed as adviser to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.

This was informed by the Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

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The Government of Meghalaya has appointed Hamletson Dohling as Adviser to the Chief Minister of Meghalaya with perks and facilities under Category ‘A+’ with effect from the date of assumption of charge, the secretary said.