Meghalaya Times

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, May. 05: Following reports of frequent transfer of officers in West Khasi Hills’ PWD Department, Minister in-charge PWD, HDR Lyngdoh, while speaking to MEGHALAYA TIMES, said that the present government has nothing to do with the transfers and added that it has planned to stay the order for officers in various divisions to remain at their post for at least two years.
Lyngdoh said that the government is keen to see the acceleration of development particularly in road communication. He added that officers can only be transferred if deemed unfit or if work is left incomplete.
Regarding the demand of the West Khasi Hills Students’ Union (WKHSU) not to transfer the Executive Engineer of Ranikor division, Lyngdoh said that the present government would not interfere with work that has been ordered to be done by the previous government.

Staff Reporter
Shillong, May. 05: Only 55.85 percent of science stream students were able to clear this year’s MBOSE HSSLC examinations held in March this year. Out of the total 2,634 students who appeared, only 1,471 students were able to clear their papers.
Out of the 1,450 boys who appeared in this year’s science stream exam, 785 passed (57.94 percent). Among the girls, out of the total 1,184 who appeared, only 686 passed, putting the pass percentage at 54.14.
K. Eshan Singh of St. Anthony’s Higher Secondary School, secured first position with a total aggregate of 460 marks. Out of the 10 positions in the merit list, St Anthony’s Higher Secondary School bagged six places whereas St Edmund’s College bagged three places.
Meanwhile in the commerce stream, 79.20 percent of the candidates were declared passed. Of the total 1,726 students who appeared, 1,367 passed. Girls fared better than boys in the commerce stream. Of the 543 who appeared, 462 passed with a pass percentage of 85.08. In the boys category, out of the total 1,183 who appeared, 905 passed with a pass percentage of 76.50.
In the commerce stream too, St Anthony’s Higher Secondary School took the honours with seven of the students bagging the first six positions. The school dominated this stream with 11 students in the list of top 10 performers. Other schools who also made it to the merit list included Don Bosco College, Tura, and Seven Set Annexe Higher Secondary School. Rikynsai Shon Rynghang of St Anthony’s Higher Secondary School with 425 marks, topped the list in the commerce stream.

Staff Reporter
Shillong, May 05: The woes of commuters traveling by taxis in Shillong city seem to be unending. The traffic police have recently taken different measures like identifying embarkation points at Khyndai Lad for various destinations in the city and drives by the traffic police for over loading of passengers by cabbies among others.
However, these measures have backfired on the hapless commuters. Several people who commute by taxis have complained that due to the drive on restriction in the number of passengers a taxi driver can take, cabbies are arbitrarily overcharging fares. The cabbies too are objecting to the drive taken by the traffic police to keep a check on over loading. The taxi drivers contend that with the present system of limited passenger in-take, there has been a drastic fall in their earnings.
“We have no other option but to hike our fares arbitrarily,” one cabbie stated.
However, the biggest loser in all this free-for-all is the poor commuter. Either the cabbie refuses to pick up short distance commuters or increases the rate. “A passenger who pays Rs five for short distances has to dole out Rs seven or even Rs 10 for such trips,” an angry commuter complained.
Passengers have also complained that taxi drivers are often rude to them and are an arrogant and indisciplined lot when confronted with. “Apart from refusing to take in passengers traveling short distances, these taxi drivers will also refuse to carry people with children or with belongings,” an elderly lady said.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, Jopthiaw Lyngdoh, said that the Motor Vehicle Act does not possess laid down rules for fixing rates in a shared taxi system.
He also pointed out that the shared taxi system is common only in Shillong. “No other city in the country has such a system of sharing taxis,” the Deputy Commissioner said.
He also said that a meeting will be convened soon with all concerned agencies to discuss ways and means for streamlining the traffic system in the city.

Staff Reporter
NONGSTOIN, May. 05: The Caring Youth Welfare Commission (CYWC) last week concluded the one-month phonetic coaching class held at Bishop House Training Hall, Nongstoin, in which LG Nongsiej, MDC, Nongstoin, was the chief guest
The meeting was chaired by Fr. Friding K. Syiemiong.
Nongsiej lauded the efforts of the commission in organising the coaching class.
Others who spoke included Brother George Jahrin,Fairly Marwein, president, CYWC.
100 participants of West Khasi Hills were handed certificates by Nongsiej.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, May. 05: The Amway Opportunity Foundation (AOF) observed 12 years of its foundation day in the country as well in the state with commitment towards under privileged children of AW Thomas Girl’s Home at Jaiaw Lumsyntiew.
Speaking to the media, Bickramjit Paul, area manager, Northeast Amway India Enterprise Pvt. Ltd, said that Amway has partnered with AW Thomas Girls’ Home, an orphanage working for the underprivileged girl children in Shillong since 2009, as part of Project Sunrise, a global CSR initiative to help them secure quality education, healthcare service and access to safe drinking water.
He also said that AOF had undertaken educational sponsorship for children of AW Thomas Girls’ Home. It has also donated water purifiers and educational aid to the orphanage and borne health check up expenses for the children.
“Amway strongly believes that corporate social responsibility is an integral part of the business and puts honest effort in giving back to society as a responsible corporate citizen,” said Paul.
The in-charge of the home, Rev. BB. Wankhar, lauded the efforts of Amway, saying it was a “blessing to the orphanage”.
The AOF also donated sports accessories and musical instruments to the children while AOF volunteers entertaining them with a magic show and a dance.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, May.05: Five days after the state government has passed the order regarding revision of pay as per the recommendation of the Fourth Pay Commission, lower and upper primary school teachers are yet to receive the order.
Speaking to MEGHALAYA TIMES, KJDSTA organising secretary, Kular Khongjeerem, said that the reason for the delay was due to the rearrangement of various posts at the head centre in the state as well as at the district level with effect from April 1, 2010, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Deputy Inspector of Schools.
Teachers of the secondary and higher secondary sections have already received the order.
Khongjeeram said that with the rearrangement, the director of Elementary & Mass Education is now the director of School Education & Literacy and added that even the Inspector of Schools has been replaced with the designation District of School Education Officer and the Deputy Inspector in the district level by the Sub-Divisional School Education Officer.

Staff Reporter
NONGSTOIN, May. 05: D. Kharshiing, vice principal, Industrial Training Institute, Nongstoin, has informed that applications are invited for admission to the institute under craftsmen training scheme in two trades - wiremen and carpentry - for the session commencing from August 2010.
Kharshiing also said that the last date for submission of forms is May 28 next.
Detailed information can be obtained from the office of the vice principal, ITI, Nongstoin, during office hours.
Provision has also been made for three percent reservation or seats for physically handicapped persons against the intake capacity.

Staff Reporter
Shillong, May. 05: Three ultras of the underground outfit, People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of Manipur, including a woman were apprehended by the BSF from Umkrem village, near Dawki, along the Indo-Bangla border on Tuesday night.
According to police, the BSF captured the trio at around 10 pm on Tuesday while they were trying to cross over to the Indian side from Bangladesh.The three arrested cadres have been identified as Nupamcha Nanda Singh (38) of Lamlai, Imphal East, Ananta Singh (37), from Bangladesh’s Maulvi Bazar and Shanti Devi (55) of Jiribam, Imphal East.
DSP (Crime), Vivek Syiem, informed that the police pleaded before the court for 10 days for custody of the arrested trio. 

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, May.05: The AW Thomas Girl’s Home established in 1981 which recently celebrated its silver jubilee, has contributed much to society.
At one point of time, the home had around 20 children all below the age of 18, both boys and girls.
The boys, however, were shifted to Mawphlang in the year 2006. The orphanage now has 65 girls.
The home has proved to be a boon in terms of education. On Wednesday, as the rest of the state’s youth celebrated the results of their hard work in the HSSLC science and commerce examination, the lone candidate from the home, Bethelda Khyllap, secured a commendable second division.
Khyllap had completed her SSLC examination in 2007 and secured first division with two letters. She attributed her success to plain old hard work and the support of AW Thomas Girls Home’s management.
While grateful to the Almighty, she said: “Nothing is hard when there is a will to compete.”
Amway Opportunity Foundation, while speaking to Meghalaya Times, said that it would consider providing assistance to Khyllap for her further studies.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, May. 05: KSU president NEHU unit, Kynpham Kharlyngdoh, has requested all departments in NEHU that first preference should be given to eligible local indigenous students and applicants regarding admission in PhD programme of various departments as advertised earlier.
The union said that the university has deprived eligible indigenous students of admission into the PhD programme inspite of being “formed with an objective of uplifting the plight of the local students and to assure all round development besides academic excellence of the region”.
The unit has also said that eligible candidates to PhD courses can approach the office bearers of the unit so that the union can take up the matter.

AMPATI, May. 03 (MIPR):

Citizens of Ampati on Monday welcomed the son of the soil, the state’s new Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul M Sangma, with a grand felicitation function which witnessed a record gathering at Ampati Mini Stadium.

Dr. Sangma was accompanied by his wife, Dikanchi D. Shira, and his entourage comprising of Abdus Saleh, Parliamentary Secretary in-charge Home, Zenith M. Sangma, president, District Congress Committee, Dhabal Barman, former minister, Mahendraganj, and MDCs LD Shira, Premanda Koch, Nripendra Koch, and Boston Marak, among others.

The function was chaired by former MDC, Binvichand D. Sangma.

 

The Chief Minister, while addressing the gathering, expressed delight at being received at his birth place and later his constituency saying: "I accept all these felicitations and honours that you have given me with a humble and grateful heart. I am so happy that you all have supported me for these four years to look after your welfare and address the grievances of our people."

Stressing on the need to observe matters in a new light, he said that the government is initiating new ideas and initiatives to improve the implementation of government schemes and projects in the state.

Stressing on the need to harness the energy and vibrancy of the youth, he said: "I have thought of new initiatives for all our potential youth."

He said that since independence, the government had introduced many schemes and projects to uplift the lifestyle of the general populace but due to inefficient administration many did not bear fruit.

Calling upon officers of the state to work in tandem so as to enable uniform growth in the spheres of development, he further stressed on popular inclusion and said that all decisions regarding implementation of schemes and projects would include that of the people of the region.

Prominent citizens of Ampati delivered speeches including Gospel G. Sangma, Gopal Kishore Koch, Rana B. Sangma, Debendro Hajong and Leonard M. Sangma, besides others.

Other invitees present were Abhisek Bogotia, SDO (Civil), Ampati, WG Sangma, Extra Assistant Commissioner, Ampati, Alphonse A Sangma, former CEM, GHADC, Dr. Dazy K Sangma, Medical and Health Officer, Ampati and BR Marak, DAO, among others

 

The Seiñ Raij Shillong

 

Staff Reporter

SHILLONG, May 03:

 

The 47 foundation day of Seiñ Raij Shillong was observed with solemnity, with thousands of faithful and believers in their traditional attire here on Monday.

The prayers was conducted by the Elders, N R Shullai and Religious Leaders Pyndap Passah.

The Dorbar Niamtre will be held on May 9.

The official web site of Seiñ Raij Shillong will also be launched as part of the celebration, the sources added.

 

 

 

Wearing of black flags suspended

Staff Reporter

SHILLONG, May. 03: The wearing of black flags during school hours by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of deficit teachers has been suspended from May 4 till further notice.

This was informed by JAC convener, Kular Khongjeerem.

Speaking to Meghalaya Times, Khongjeerem said that on Monday, the JAC received the order letter issued on April 30 2010 from the office of the Governor, RS Mooshahary, which mentioned that all teaching and non-teaching staff of deficit schools can enjoy their pay scale under the recommendations of the Fourth Pay Commission at par with other government employees with effect from January 1, 2007.

The revised payment of their salary will be received as per the order with effect from April 1, 2010, informed Khongjeerem.

The convener further said that the teachers will be receiving the letter on Tuesday. The committee has requested all secretaries of all managing committees of deficit schools of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills, to collect the letter, he added.

Staff Reporter

Shillong, May. 03:

Call it a communication gap or a total disregard for the concerned department, but it is learnt that the Mining and Geology Department is in the dark about the decision to keep in abeyance the exploratory drilling for uranium ore in Balpakram National Park, Garo Hills.

"The department is not in the know of the matter in Garo Hills," Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Mining and Geology, Bindo M Lanong, said.

 

However, he added: "He (Dr Mukul Sangma) being the Chief Minister of the state is at liberty to take any decision on his own."

Recently, the Garo Students’ Union (GSU) met the Chief Minister urging him to put off the proposed exploratory drilling at the park.

Lanong also stated that since the GSU met the government only on April 29 last, "the order to keep the exploratory mining in abeyance may be in transit".

The Mining and Geology Minister has, however, instructed his officials in the department to seek information about the memorandum submitted by the GSU.

When asked whether the government would use the same measures for uranium mining in Garo Hills as it has done in the case of West Khasi Hills, Lanong said: "We cannot have two yardsticks. We will have to deal with it by the same yardstick."

He also admitted that the uranium mining issue is a controversial subject and has to be accorded special attention. "Mining of uranium ore is a sensitive issue. It is not like mining of coal or iron-ore, we will have to look at it from a different angle and take into consideration the pros and cons," he said.

Earlier, several NGOs from Garo Hills have opposed the Department of Atomic Energy’s (DAE) proposal to conduct its drilling exercise inside the park.

Last week the influential GSU met the Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma, who decided to move the Centre against the proposed exploratory drilling inside Balpakram National Park

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Staff Reporter

SHILLONG, May. 03:

On Monday, HDR Lyngdoh, Minister in-charge PWD (Roads), Home (Police) and District Council Affairs, distributed relief materials consisting of a blanket and an aluminum cooking utensil of a capacity of 670 grams, to each of the 55 families affected by the cyclone which hit the area recently.

The beneficiaries included 18 from Dira, 12 from Nongur, 18 from Madan Nongur and seven from Nongthliew village.

 

"I am very grateful to the benefactors, namely, Bihari Welfare Association (established 1995), Shillong, for having been responsible in ameliorating the pain and hardships of the cyclone," Lyngdoh said in a meeting before distributing the materials.

The gratitude displayed on the victims’ faces was echoed and re-echoed by the sardars and secretaries of the affected villages in their short speech.

‘Bah Heh Don’ as Lyngdoh is affectionately known, "has brought back smiles on our faces and restored our confidence and faith in him," was the chorus expressed by all who attended the function.

Office bearers of the association, chairman JP Singh, president Arvind Yadav, secretary SK Joshi and adviser Arun Kumar Gupta, who accompanied the minister to Weilyngkut, were overwhelmed by the response of the villagers.

The items purchased totaled an amount of nearly Rs. 50,000.

It may be recalled that about two weeks ago on April 20, a severe cyclone had hit the four villages of Dira, Nongur, Madan Nongur and Nongthliew under Sohiong Assembly constituency.

Houses, numbering 55 and a Catholic church in the area near Weilyngkut village, were damaged.

However, there were no reports of loss of life.

On receiving the news, Lyngdoh had rushed to the spot, accompanied by officials of Mawphlang Development Block. He had distributed money to the affected families, assuring them that after the DC, East Khasi Hills, received full details from the Block Development Officer, Mawphlang, each family would receive Rs 10,000 for serious losses and Rs 5,000 for less serious ones

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Staff Reporter

SHILLONG, May. 03:

The status of education in the state is facing two conflicting aspects - educational institutions are urban centric ignoring the rural folks and educational institutions in urban areas are unapproachable to the masses, forcing many to seek knowledge outside the state.

This was stated by the principal, Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India University (ICFAI), Dr Biloris Lyndem, who further said that such confusions crop up due to lack of awareness, especially in career counseling, which is mandatory for all educational institutions right from high school level.

Speaking to Meghalaya Times, Dr Lyndem stressed that there are 55 colleges in the state, and 23 are situated in Shillong. Only a handful of premier colleges have counselors, which is the main drawback for young students pursuing their higher studies who end up as a statistical figure of unemployed youth.

 

Attempting to create awareness on careers, Dr Lyndem along with her team of teachers, since February 15, have been conducting career counseling, covering 20 schools and 10 colleges in East Khasi Hills, six schools and three colleges in West Khasi Hills, three colleges in Jaintia Hills and five schools and two colleges in Ri Bhoi. Garo Hills is in the pipeline.

On queries regarding their findings in the counseling, Dr Lyndem informed that rural students are more hardworking and inclined towards entrepreneurship. In the case of education, most, however, drift off after class 12 as they are unaware of professional courses that can be undertaken, and are forced to take up general courses, finding themselves unemployed even after graduation.

She added that the medium of instruction in the rural areas is mostly Khasi, therefore, students have a phobia to compete openly in other colleges outside their villages, which turns out to be the main stumbling block for them to acquire higher education.

Dr Lyndem stressed, "The teachers in the rural areas too need more motivation and care."

She added that communication skills and knowledge of English needs improvement especially for teachers teaching in rural areas.

She said that her team was shocked when a student from Tyrsat said he had never heard of the word ‘counseling’, not to mention a career. She added that this opened their eyes more to the urgent need of appointing counselors in all educational institutions.

Dr. Lyndem is also of the view that there are many good educational institutions in Meghalaya itself, and said that a day of educational fairs would be of little use. She said that the state needs a constant inflow of information to young minds, to enable them to shape their respective talents as a profession.

She said that if not in all institutions, at least one career counselor is a must in each district of the state, which would prevent brain drain and develop the state’s human resources.

 

 

TURA, May. 03: (MIPR)

Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma, handed over agro-service machineries to 28 beneficiaries of Betasing and Zikzak blocks under BRGF scheme at a distribution function organised by the Agriculture Department at Ampati Mini Stadium on Monday.

The machineries, including a power-tiller, water pump, SRI marker and weeder, were given to joint liability groups at a cost of Rs. 1,85,951 for each set, out of which Rs. 1,30,951 is borne by the government, Rs. 40,000 is a bank loan component, and Rs.15,000 is beneficiaries’ contribution.

 

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sangma said that the government is working on a top priority basis to improve the agri-horti sectors with the use of new technology, and added that these schemes were meant to uplift the standard of farmers.

Dr. Sangma urged farmers to take up cultivation of high-value attractive crops by using new technologies in farming. "There cannot be a better, more lucrative profession than farming, if technology is well utilised," he said.

Speaking on the financial facilities being given to the farmers, he observed that some banks had a ‘laid back’ attitude towards customers and called upon them to change their behaviour and foster competition among themselves.

Parliamentary Secretary Abdus Saleh assisted Dr. Sangma in handing over the manuals and machineries on the occasion.

Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner, Sanjay Goyal, while highlighting the purpose of the scheme, urged joint liability groups to run the machines in a profitable manner and maintain daily accounts of hire and receipts.

He felt that the mechanisation of farming is low in the state and asked farmers to take up SRI (System of Rice Intensification) method which can increase production by 60 percent.

The distribution function was attended by officers of the Agriculture and Horticulture departments, other government officials, public leaders and farmers

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Staff Reporter

Shillong, May 03:

The Departmental Appellate Authority (DAA) of the KHADC, RS Wanniang, has directed the Syiem of Mylliem to furnish all requisite information under the RTI Act within 15 days, failing which he shall be liable to pay a penalty under the Act.

Information under the Act was sought by Kitboklang Nongphlang, information secretary, FKJGP, East Khasi Hills unit.

 

Earlier, the Syiem of Mylliem, Latho Manik Syiem, had contended that the office of the Syiem does not fall within the purview of the Right to Information Act, 2005. He argued that the syiemship is not a ‘public authority’ within the meaning of Section 2 (h) of the RTI Act and that the Syiem and his officers acted in fiduciary capacity, therefore, he is exempted to provide any information under Section 8 (1) (e) of the Act.

However, Wanniang argued that since the Syiem was appointed by the KHADC by an Act framed under the provisions of paragraph 3 (1) (g) of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India, he cannot seek immunity under Section 8 (1) (e) of the RTI Act.

In his judgment, the DAA said that "in this day and age of accountability and transparency of public offices, the Syiem cannot hide behind arbitrary excuses that nullify such aspects."

He further stated that since the Syiem has been collecting taxes, tolls and fees from the people, the public has the right to know how and where the money is being spent.

 

 

 

 

Shyamali Banerjee

SHILLONG, May 03:

 

Amidst all stumbling blocks 2nd

LOOK BACK – Shillong International Women Film Festival 2010 had come to an end. But the question remains, how to survive in the long run !. Crossing almost nine thousand kilometers from New Delhi when we landed in Meghalaya we never knew that all our aspirations would be pushed into unending mess by the North Eastern Council Secretariat. In the year 2009 when we started off this festival in Shillong, the then Union Minister of DoNER & Chairperson, NEC, Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar took all initiative to make it happen in Shillong and despite all resistance by the NEC Secretary Mr Aiyar went ahead and asked us to run from pillar to post to transform this ambitious project into reality. In the year 2010 Govt. of Meghalaya had confirmed that they will extend logistic support in terms of publicity expenses.

 

In the year 2009 Mr Aiyar had constituted a cultural fund amounting to 200 crores, for promoting all cultural activities in the North East Region and that fund has reportedly been bifurcated in other areas This year only after two days before the festival would start off NEC Secretary informed us that NEC would not afford to offer us the auditorium for film screening this year and the reason had never been clarified. We were in touch with NEC since the month of March 2010 intimating them that the festival would take off this time from 26

 

th April to 2nd

May and that we appealed to NEC for financial assistance for the conduct of the film festival and NEC auditorium to be given to us for film screening. And two days before the end of the festival we were told that NEC will not extend any financial support for hosting this festival in Shillong. Given to an unexpected critical situation who will bear all the ancillary cost of Film Festival which had been kicked off going against all the tides ! Film Festival which is a big leap forward in Shillong and involved thousand logistics should end in an endless morass ! We are not any profit making organization, we don’t sell tickets, don’t have any private sponsor, neither do we charge for film registration, delegate registration etc. In other words, we don’t earn revenues out of this film festival. It looked strange to us that the same NEC Secretary had assured us that the proposal had been sent across to Director, DIPR since in the year 2009 same department had taken care of the proposed film festival, later made an about turn, negating all requests from all quarters including Hon’ble Minister, DoNER & Chairperson, NEC, Mr B K Handique.

Dr. Omarlin Kyndiah
SHILLONG, May. 02: The Seiñ Raij Shillong will celebrate its 47th foundation day on Monday at 9 am at U Tirot Sing Syiem Road, Shillong.
The Seiñ Raij Shillong is a socio-religious congregation of the Jaintias settled in Shillong, a tribe believed to be descendants of U Niaw wasa and who continue to adhere to the traditional religion called Niamtre.
Niamtre is a religion based on the belief that God, U Tre Kirot, is the supreme creator.

Three cardinal principles dictated by God, according to Niamtre, are - kamai yei hok, tipbru tipblai and tipkur tipkha. They signify right living and practice based on right livelihood, fulfillment of duties toward fellow men in order to reach God and showing respect to members of the maternal and paternal clan.
Living far from their ancestral home in search of a better livelihood posed a challenge to the traditional culture and belief of the Jaintias due to the advent of western culture. The situation awoke a section of elders to resort to certain measures for safeguarding their culture and belief. This socio-cultural awakening found its expression in the establishment of the Seiñ Raij Shillong on May 3, 1963.
The initiative for the establishment of a body whose endeavour is to preserve and promote the traditional customs and belief had its roots in a tailoring shop owned by (L) Bechon Lanong at Iewduh. It was here that elders comprising of (L) L. Kynjiñ, former Daloi of Jwai Elaka, (L) B.Nikhla, (L) S. Moulting Shylla, Ram Paswet and Ram Lakiang, to name a few, assembled every evening and conceived the idea to begin a congregation called the Niamtre Dorbar.
Having decided to start the dorbar once a week on a week day - Khyllaw (the Jaintia market day) - the elders were left with the task of finding a place to assemble. Finally, under the leadership of Kynjiñ, the dorbar’s president and Shylla, its general secretary, they approached a senior resident, (L) Newel Challam, who allowed the dorbar to be held at his five-storied building located at present day U Tirot Sing Syiem Road, Shillong. Thus, the first Niamtre Dorbar was held on May 3, 1963.
At present, Seiñ Raij Shillong has it own cultural hall constructed on a plot of land allotted by the then Assam Government in 1970 under the leadership of (L) Lakhon Chullai.
Seiñ Raij Shillong is celebrating its 47th Lyngkhooh Snem (foundation day) beginning with a prayer service on Monday morning and culminating on May 9 with Dorbar Niamtre.
The official website of the Seiñ Raij Shillong will also be launched on the occasion.  
The celebration, with traditional customs and culture in this contemporary age of Information Technology, aims at preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Jaintias settled in Shillong, with special stress on Niamtre showcasing the celebration of an age-old civilisation.

Staff Reporter
SHILLONG, May. 02: The third phase of the agitation programme of the deficit teachers called by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) on April 30 last, has resolved to go ahead with the schedule of wearing ‘black flags’ on Monday during school hours.
The convener of the JAC of both the KJDSTA and the GHDSTEA, Kular Khonjeerem, speaking to MEGHALAYA TIMES, said that on Friday last, they had received the order issued by the office of the Department of  School Education and Literacy at a late hour and therefore, it was rejected by the committee.
Khongjeerem said that they would collect the order and hold an executive meeting of both the associations to examine it.
The convener also said that if the order was accepted, the agitation would be temporarily suspended.