Shillong News

.

EK Mawlong passes away at 62

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: Former Chief Minister and senior UDP leader Evansius Kek Mawlong passed away at his Lumsohphoh residence, Lower Mawprem here early Saturday after a prolonged illness. He was 62. Mawlong was suffering from diabetes and other health complications. He leaves behind four sons and two daughters.

As soon as the news of Mawlong's death circulated, hundreds of people from all walks of life, including Governor Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary, Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy, Opposition Leader DD Lapang, legislators, political leaders, UDP workers from Umroi constituency and leaders of the Catholic Church thronged the late leader's residence.

State holiday on Monday

The funeral will be held at Mawprem Catholic Church Cemetery on Monday afternoon. The State Government has declared the day as State holiday. All State Government departments and educational institutions would remain closed on Monday. National flags will be flown at half-mast in all government buildings. Only departments engaged in preparations for President Pratibha Patil's State visit would function during the day, official sources said.

Mawlong, one of the senior-most regional party leaders in the State, was highly regarded by his friends and foes in political circles. He took over as Chief Minister on March 8 2000, but the controversy over by the Kolkata Meghalaya House deal led to the fall of his 40-member MPF Government on December 7 2001 following resignation of seven of his Cabinet ministers and withdrawal of support by NCP.

The event took a heavy toll on Mawlong and his health, leading to his defeat at the hands of political greenhorn Stanley Wiss Rymbai of Congress from Umroi constituency in the 2003 Assembly elections. He, however, wrested back the seat in the March 2008 polls, three months after the Gauhati High Court cleared him of all acts of omissions and commissions in the Kolkata Meghalaya House scam.

Mawlong was first elected to the State Assembly from Umroi constituency in 1978 on HSPDP ticket and held on to the seat for five consecutive terms till 2003. He held the post of Chairman of State Development Reforms Commission till his death.

Mawlong was the son of Late S Thangkhiew and Late Y Mawlong. He was born at Mawmih village near Sohiong, East Khasi Hills on February 1 1946. He graduated from the Gauhati University in Science stream in 1969 and taught at St Dominic Savio High School, Mawkhar from 1968 to June 1971. He also worked in the Accountant General's office as Upper Division Clerk from June to December 1971.

His political career started in 1972 when he was elected member of Khasi Hills District Council as an Independent. In 1975, he joined Congress and became

president of Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress (MPYC). He was also member of Indian Youth Congress (IYC).

Mawlong's dominance in State politics started in 1978 when he was elected to the State Assembly as an Independent from Umroi constituency. He was re-elected to the House in the 1983 polls on HSPDP ticket. His winning spree on HSPDP ticket continued in both 1988 and 1993 elections.

He served as HSPDP president from 1996 to 1997 and became UDP president on September 11 1997 when HSPDP, HPU and PDIC came together to form UDP. He held the post till May 9 2003. He was elected as UDP legislator from Umroi seat in the 1998 and 2008 elections.

Mawlong was State Assembly Speaker from March 10 1998 till March 7 2000. He was also a Cabinet Minister in the BB Lyngdoh ministry during 1990-91. He served as Chairman of State Development Reforms Commission from 2004 to 2007.

RBYF deadline to Govt over recruitment in MUDA

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: Charging Urban Affairs Minister Paul Lyngdoh with "neglecting" people of Ri-Bhoi district, Ri-Bhoi Youth Federation (RBYF) has given Mr Lyngdoh a ten-day deadline to implement its demands for 60 per cent job reservation for locals and cancellation of all "illegal appointments" at MUDA office, Byrnihat.

Announcing the deadline at a public meeting at the Moonlight Upper Primary School, Byrnihat on Saturday, RBYF president BB Makdoh asked Mr Lyngdoh to fulfill its demands with regard to appointment of staff at MUDA office, Byrnihat within the stipulated time and said the youth body would resort to agitation in the entire district of R-Bhoi if the minister did not pay heed to its pleas.

"If the State Government does not respond to our demands within the deadline, the Federation would have no option but to resort to further course of action (agitation)," Mr Makdoh said.

Accusing Mr Lyngdoh, also Chairman of MUDA, of failure to keep his promise to reserve 60 percent jobs for locals, the RBYF president asserted that the Federation and people of the district would not rest until the demands of the Federation were met by the government.

The RBYF leader alleged that most of the people employed at MUDA office,

Byrnihat were followers of the Urban Affairs Minister.

"The Federation is not opposing appointment of people from other districts in MUDA, but we feel that some jobs should be reserved for the area (Byrnihat/Ri-Bhoi) where there are enough qualified candidates," Rangbah Shnong of Umdap Rangi Cleophas Nongrum said at the meeting.

Several persons, while addressing the meeting, echoed the views of Mr Makdoh and Mr Nongrum.

They condemned alleged appointment of employees at MUDA office, Byrnihat without advertising the posts or conducting interviews.

Further, they demanded "suspension of all illegal appointments" and called for fresh advertisement for vacancies at MUDA office, Byrnihat.

Among those who spoke at the public meeting were RBYF's Byrnihat Circle president

S Sohtun, president of Seng Longkmie Byrnihat Proper C Nongrum, former RBYF finance secretary PM Namsaw, RBYF central body general secretary Hubert Ramshon and the Rangbah Shnong of villages.

Earlier in the day, RBYF conducted a cleaning drive along the National Highway 40 and villages from Umling to Khanapara. Altogether, 25 villages participated in the cleaning drive. Nongkylla Khasi, Byrnihat was adjudged as the cleanest area and given a cash reward of Rs 5000.

2 killed in bus mishap off Jowai

From Our Correspondent

JOWAI: Two persons including a nine-year-old boy were killed and several others injured when a mini bus (ML05C-3815) in which they were traveling in turned turtle at Tuber village near Jowai on Saturday.

The nine-year-old boy Roni Sumer died on the spot while his mother and two-year-old sister were critically injured in the mishap.

The vehicle was on its way from Jowai to Khliehriat.

Another person, who was yet to be identified, died in Jowai hospital.

The driver of the ill-fated bus is absconding.

Drowned: Two brothers of Panaliar, Jowai --- Wailad Pasweth (16) and Chan Pasweth (12) --- were drowned in Myntdu river at Mutong-khian on Saturday.

The duo had come to take a bath when the mishap took place.

Money looted

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: Unidentified miscreants looted around Rs 1 lakh, a DVD player, buffer speaker, expensive clothes and valuable materials from a house at Demthring Block-II in the wee hours of Saturday.

Owner of the house lodged an FIR with Madanrting police station in this regard.

President, others condole Mawlong’s demise

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Governor RS Mooshahary, Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy and Union Tribal Affairs Minister PR Kyndiah have condoled the death of veteran UDP leader and former State Chief Minister Evansius Kek Mawlong.

In a condolence message, President Ms Patil conveyed her condolences to the bereaved family.

Governor Mr Mooshahary said the State had suffered a "grievous and irreparable loss" in the death of Mawlong. "The late leader was a political stalwart who made manifold contributions to the progress of the State," the Governor said.

In his message Chief Minister Dr Donkupar said Mawlong's death was a great loss to the people of the State, the Government and UDP.

Dr Roy also conveyed his heartfelt condolences to all the family members and also prayed that Almighty would grant the family strength to bear the great loss and eternal peace to departed soul.

Leader of Opposition DD Lapang expressed shock over the sudden demise of the former Chief Minister. Mr Lapang said that Mawlong would always be remembered as an able politician and as a person who was loved and respected by the people. He also prayed to God to give strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss and peace to the departed soul.

Union Minister Mr Kyndiah also expressed deep anguish over the demise of the UDP leader. Mr Kyndiah, in his message, said, "Late Mawlong's contribution to the State was immense. His untimely demise has left a vacuum in State politics."

Meanwhile, UDP in a meeting held on Saturday evening condoled the death of its founder member and first president.

The party members recalled the contributions of Mawlong to the party and the State.

UDP's Ri-Bhoi district has mourned the death of former Chief Minister, who was also president of the party in the district. UDP's Ri-Bhoi district general secretary Lurshai Wahlang said the demise of Mawlong was a great loss to the party.

Praising the late leader's leadership, of Mr Wahlang said UDP under Mawlong's stewardship had put up an exemplary performance in the last Assembly elections by winning three out of four constituencies in Ri-Bhoi district.

Several other political parties including Maghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee, Umroi unit of KHNAM condoled the untimely demise of Mawlong.

B’deshis pushed back daily by police

Shillong: At least thirty odd suspected Bangladeshis are pushed back daily from the police infiltration gates located in the border fringes, disclosed the Megahalya police.

While these infiltration check gates have been strengthened to enhance vigilance after seeing the ramifications of Bangladeshi illegal immigrants in Assam, sources told NNN that in Umkiang infiltration gate of Jaintia Hills alone, 18-20 people with dubious identities are daily detected and sent back to the place they claim to belong.

The Byrnihat infiltration check gate has similar experiences.

The Superintendents of Police, Jaintia Hills MK Singh and Ri-Bhoi district Superintendent of Police MK Dkhar confirmed about the push back of people with doubtful identities from their respective jurisdictions.

The reason for the push-back is because many of these people claiming to be from Assam have neither the valid papers to prove their Indian origins nor can they speak Assamese language and Hindi.

"These suspected Bangladeshis always claimed to be from Assam but neither do they have the papers such as EPIC, and many a time cannot divulge their village nor the authorities concerned, state MK Singh, adding, "We pushed them back and asked to bring valid documents top prove their identity".

It may be mentioned that Jaintia Hills-I closed to Barak Valley of Assam has a huge presence of suspected Bangladeshi nationals.

Even Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya closed to Guwahati experiences the same trend.

The answer of many of those suspected elements is that they are from Dhubri, Barpeta, Goalpara, Hojai but their appearance only adds to the doubts when they can't produced valid papers.

Most of the suspected Bangladeshis wanted to enter Meghalaya to work as labourers in the coal belts especially in Jaintia Hills which is now a safe haven of Bangladeshi illegal immigrants.

However, following the beginning of the peak season of coal mining and the incidents in Assam, the infiltration branch of the State police has tightened up its vigilance in the infiltration gates.

Meanwhile, more police personnel have been rushed into improve the efficiency of these infiltration check gates and it came at a time when several NGOs have taken their own initiatives to detect and deport suspected foreigners from Jaintia Hills, West Khasi and Ri Bhoi districts. (NNN)

Vintage car rally

in city on Nov 16

Shillong: Shillong vintage car rally on November 16 will witness the Model T vintage that features in the classic film 'Gandhi' taking the lead in leading the likes of the model A Ford, the Dodge weapons carrier, the Jaguar Mark 4 and the Harley Davidson and thirty odd cars from Guwahati, Kohima and Imphal.

It has already been confirmed from the organisers that 36 odd owners of vintage cars from the entire North Eastern states will participate in the event and the number is expected to rise by the time the rally takes off.

The Model T vintage (1919 model) was used by Richard Attenborough for the film 'Gandhi'. The others will be the Model A Ford (1927 model) that was used for Mother Teresa's visit to Shillong, the Dodge weapon carriers used by the British during the Second World War in the North East, the Jaguar Mark 4, and off course, the only Harley Davidson motorbike in the region will be the hallmark of the vintage car rally on November 16. The function will be organised by Antique Wheels of the North East. According to the secretary of the organisation, Ashoke Lyngdoh, besides the vintage car owners from Assam and Meghalaya, they have received positive response from car owners from states like Nagaland and Manipur. Lyngdoh also told NNN that more cars are expected to be part of the vintage car rally by the time the rally kick starts.

Taking pride from the successful vintage car rally in Shillong last year, Lyngdoh said, "we hope that our endeavour will give a further boost to Shillong as a tourist destination of the North East". (NNN)

Czech business delegation in city

By Our Reporter

Shillong: A 13-member Czech business delegation led Ambassador of Czech Republic Dr Hynek Kmonicek will begin its visit to the North East from Sunday. The team will be holding meetings in Shillong, Guwahati, Itanagar and Gangtok, according to a statement issued here. On their arrival in Shillong, the delegation will interact with local entrepreneurs, Government officials on October 21 at Hotel Polo Towers, Polo at 10 am.

During the meeting, the Czech team will be giving presentations on the Czech technology available on small hydro projects, aviation sector - airport equipment and small brewery. The visit is coordinated by North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi).

Similar meetings will be held in Guwahati (October 22), Itanagar (October 23) and Gangtok (October 25). The delegation will comprise four companies of aviation sector, three from small hydro power and one from small brewery sector.

SDCs to come up in 27 states

From Our Spl Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Department of Information Technology (DIT) on Friday approved establishment of State Data Centres (SDC) in 27 States/UTs including one in Meghalaya with total outlay of Rs 1237 crore.

The DIT Share in this outlay is Rs 412 crore, while the remaining Rs 825 crore are to be met through Additional Central Assistance (ACA), according to an official statement here.

Through the State Data Centres, the Government seeks to create a common secure IT infrastructure to host state level e-Governance.

These centres are to be duly supported by State Wide Area Network (SWAN) and Common Service Centres (CSC) established at the village level, as part of e-Governance project.

The States, whose proposals have been approved besides Meghalaya are - Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhatisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Naga- land, Orissa, Punducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.

Once established, State Data Centre would provide many functionalities. including Central Repository of the State, Secure Data Storage, Online Delivery of Services, Citizen Information/Services Portal, State Intranet Portal, Remote Management and Service Integration etc to enable seamless delivery of e- Governance services in the State. The progress of implementation of Data Centre is centrally being reviewed by the DIT with the States.

Death condoled

The Meghalaya Editors and Publishers Association has conveyed its sympathy to the bereaved family members of former Chief Minister and Chairman, State Development Reforms Commission EK Mawlong, who passed away on Saturday. "His death has left a vacuum which cannot be filled," it said in a statement issued here on Saturday.

Tribute to cops

The State police will pay tribute to all its personnel, who died while on duty during the year 2007-2008, with special commemoration parade to be held at Police Reserve, Shillong on October 21 at 7 am, a release said.

Health camp

The health camp and sanitation programme on schemes and services of the Social Welfare Department was held at Sakhiat ME School, Umtrai on Saturday. The function organised by the chief organiser of Raid Umtrai Umkhap was inaugurated by Minister of Social Welfare NM Momin. He was accompanied by Commissioner of Disabilities NM Nampui and other government officials.

Headman elected

The Mawlai Syllai Kariah has re-elected Klobindro Nongkynrih as its Rangbah Shnong for the term of five years. Mr Nongkynrih along other office-bearers of the village was elected at the Dorbar held recently, a statement issued here on Saturday.

source: the shillong times

Tura Durga Puja

Durga puja begins in Garo Hills on colourful note
CORRESPONDENT
TURA, Oct 5 – Offerings of prayer and the beating of drums ushered in the the arrival of Goddess Durga into the puja mandaps here this evening for the week-long Durga puja celebrations.

Durga Puja is the single largest festival of the Hindus who make up a sizeable number of the population in this region.

Thousand of Hindus thronged the Tura bazar for last minute shopping for the gala festival on Sunday morning even as security has been beefed up throughout the three districts of Garo Hills to prevent any untoward incidents from taking place. The tightened security is due to recent explosions in Agartala and the killing of seven Islamic HUJI militants by the Army in Dhubri district of Assam, close to the Garo Hills border.

The Central Puja Committee (CPC) which is overseeing the celebrations have held two rounds of talks with the district administration in Tura. The CPC wants adequate security arrangements in place at all its puja mandaps and providing of street lighting in and around the vicinity of the mandaps.

The administration will be setting up police points at all the mandaps and plain clothes officers will be stationed as spotters in the mandaps.

While the oldest puja mandap in the Garo Hills – the Nepali Durga puja mandap – will be celebrating its 123rd anniversary while two other puja committees – Nabin Pally and Anandamath puja mandap will be taking birth for the first time.

The pujas will culminate with the immersion at Tura Babupara ghat on October 9.

Last year, women broke the age old tradition of only male participation when several hundred womenfolk took part in the immersion procession. source: assam tribune

Durga Puja Tura Durga Puja Garo Hills Durga Puja Meghalaya Durga Puja Shillong Durga Puja Silchar Durga Puja Guwahati Durga Puja Assam Durga Puja north east india Durga Puja

Durga Puja in Shillong Meghalaya North East India

Durga Puja in Shillong

Durga Puja, also known as Durgotsab is an auspicious occasion which is prominently celebrated in the Indian state of West Bengal or Bengal. In the nine days long celebrations of Durga Puja festival, Goddess Durga, one of the most revered Goddess for the Hindus, is worshiped in different forms like as goddess of valor, wisdom and wealth. Although the festival of Durga Puja is celebrated mainly in the state of West Bengal but the festive spirit and joy is omnipresent throughout India and the other states of India like Manipur, Orissa, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Maharashtra and Jharkhand also enjoy the jubilance of Durga Puja with great enthusiasm and devotion.

Apart from being a festival, Durga Pooja has become a social-cultural event that celebrates the cheerfulness of life, the vibrant culture, the set rituals and traditions. During the celebrations of Durga Puja, huge puja pandals are erected in which idols of Goddess Durga along with Goddess Saraswati and Lord Ganesha are placed and worshiped. Lots of dancing, singing devotional songs in praise of Goddess Durga, preparation of special festive dishes are also an integral part of Durga Puja celebrations.

.

Following are the durga puja committees of Greater Shillong:

1.	A.C.Lane Puja Committee.Police Bazar, Shillong.
2.	Account and Audit Estate Durga Puja Committee.Motinagar , Shillong.
3.	Asom Kristi Kendra Puja Committee.Stonyland , Dhankheti , Shillong.
4.	Assam Hindu Mission Durga Puja Committee.Mawprem Shillong.
5.	Assam Rifles A.T.O. Puja Committee.Happy Valley Shillong.
6.	Assam Rifles Regimental Centre Puja Committee.Happy Valley , Shillong.
7.	Assam Sonathan Dharmasabha.Nongrim Road , Laitumkhrah , Shillong.
8.	Barapathar Durga Puja Committee.Barapathar,Shillong.
9.	Bishnupriya Manipuri Durga Puja Committee.Bomfyle Road , Shillong.
10.	Burma Line Durga Puja Committee.(Opposite to G.E.) Shillong.
11.	C.P.W.D. Durga Puja Committee.Cleave Colony , Shillong.
12.	Dudgeon Line Saradiya Durga Puja Committee.(Near Anjalee Cinema) Shillong.
13.	Greater Polo Hills Forest Colony Sarbajanin Durga Puja Committee.Shillong.
14.	Hatath Colony Durga Puja Committee.New Kenche's Trace, Shillong.
15.	Jail Road Durga Puja Committee.Puja Mandap , Jail Road , Shillong.
16.	Kenche's Trace Puja Committee.Kenche's Trace, Shillong.
17.	Kiran Line Durga Puja Committee.Near 58 GTC , Shillong.
18.	Laban Namghar Puja Committee.Laban,Shillong.
19.	Laban Shiv Mandir Durga Puja Committee.Laban , Shillong.
20.	Lumparing Saradiya Durga Puja Samity.Lumparing, Shillong.
21.	Lumparing Nepali Durga Committee.Lumparing , Shillong.
22.	M.E.S. Durga Puja Committee.S.E.Falls , Shillong.
23.	Maa Sherawali Mandir Puja Committee.Bara Bazar, Shillong.
24.	Maidan Laban Nepali Durga Puja Committee.Maidan Laban , Shillong.
25.	Malki Dhankheti Lachumiere Durga Puja Committee.Bawri Manson Shillong.
26.	Mathura Compound Puja Committee.(Office Pandey Building) Shillong.
27.	Matri Mandir Puja Committee.Polo Bazar , Shillong.
28.	Matri Sangha Durga Puja Committee.Polo Bazar, Shillong.
29.	Megna Committee Durga Puja.HQ (E.A.C.)IAF Shillong.
30.	New Colony Sarbojonin Durga Puja Committee.Upper New Colony , Shillong.
31.	Oakland Biver Road Durga Puja Committee.Oakland , Shillong.
32.	P.W.D.Durga Puja Committee.P.W.D.Compound,Barick, Shillong.
33.	Pragati Sangha Puja Committee.Keating Road , Shillong.
34.	Puja Samiti Bengali Social Welfare and Cultural Committee.Nongmensong, Shillong.
35.	Puja Sammelan Welfare Society.Minicipal Compound , Jail Road , Shillong.
36.	Pynthorumkhrah Durga Puja Committee.Pynthorumkhrah , Shillong.
37.	R.R.Colony Saradiya Utsav Samity.R.R.Colony , Shillong.
38.	Rajbari Para Puja Committee.Polo Hills , Shillong.
39.	Ramkrishna Mission Puja Committee.R.K.Mission Road , Laitumkhrah , Shillong.
40.	Rihno Hall Puja Committee.Near Rihno Hall, Shillong.
41.	Rilbong Durga Puja Committee.Rilbong , Shillong.
42.	Sanathan Dharmasabha(Harisabha) Laban,Shillong.
43.	Saradiya Durga Puja Samity.D.A.D.Colony.S.E.Falls , Shillong.
44.	Sarbajaneen Puja Committee.Survey of India , Barick , Shillong.
45.	Sarvajanin Assamiya Namghar Durga Puja Committee.(RuprekhaParishad) Lower Jail Road.
46.	Sarvajanin Sri Durga Puja Committee. Nongmensong Social Welfare Association. Nongmensong
47.	Shillong Hindu Dharmasabha Puja Committee.Thana Road , Shillong.
48.	Shillong Police Reserve Puja Committee.Police Reserve , Shillong.
49.	Sri. Sri. Aryavarta Durga Puja Committee.Garikhana , Shillong.
50.	Sri. Sri. Gurkha Durga Mandir.Luckier Road , Shillong.
51.	Sri. Sri. Nepali Durga Puja Committee.Lower Jail Road , Near Polo Tower , Shillong.
52.	Sri. Sri. Rajasthani Durga Puja Samity.Luckier Road , Shillong.
53.	Sri. Sri. Sarvajanik Durga Puja Committee.Fire Brigade , Shillong.
54.	Sri. Sri. Sarvajanik Durga Puja Samity.C.W.E.S.E.Fals , Shillong.
55.	Sri. Sri.Durga Puja Committee,Laitkor Peak , Shillong.
56.	Sri. Sri.Durga Puja Committee.Happy Valley, AR Base,Shillong.
57.	Sri. Sri.Gorkha Durga Mandir.Nongmensong , Shillong.
58.	Sri.Sri.Sarbajanik Durga Puja Committee.Barapani, Umrai.
59.	Upper Shillong Air Force Puja Committee.Upper Shillong.

Durga pooja is celebrated extensively all over India but West Bengal, Assam, Jharkhand, Orissa, Bihar are the states where beautiful idols of the Mother Goddess are worshipped in elaborate pandals, durga temples for nine days, and on the tenth day, these are carried out in procession for visarjan (immersion) in a river or pond.

The festivities start with the first day called Mahalaya. It is also the day of the beginning of the countdown to the Durga Puja. The face of the goddess remains covered until the bodhon (unveiling) ritual is performed on Sasthi - the sixth day of the moon. Fast is observed on this day by women for the well being of their families.

The Goddess is worshipped as a kumari or young girl, and reveals herself in her true form Mahasaptami (the seventh day of the moon). On Mahastami (eighth day) and Mahanavami (ninth day) the celebrations reach a fever pitch. New shining clothes, smiling faces, dancing devotees, chantings of Mantras, spectacular display of lights and the rhythmic beat of dhak (drums) adds excitement to the festive occasion. On Vijay Dashami (tenth day) the idol of Durga is immersed in water after performing customary rituals. The ten-armed goddess dazzles the devotees with her splendour and appearance of fiery valour during her short stay every year.

The history of Durga Puja in Bengal dates back to the Mughal era. History says that the first Puja was organised by Raja Kangshanarayan of Teherpur, Nadia and then Raja Jagatnarayan of Bhaduria followed soon after.

Other Hindu kings too came forward and the puja spread far and wide to Gour, Raj Mahal, Murshibad and Krishnagar. By the mid of 18th Century, this festival had become the occasion for the nouveaux riches Babus of Kolkata to flaunt their wealth.

They invited Europeans in every evening of their feast to grace their occasion. The British too Participated enthusiastically and had ‘Prasad’ and did Pranam, often lying Prostrate on the ground.

Some believe that the Puja of Saborno Chowdhury is the oldest puja in the city and it started in 1610 AD near Behala Sakher Bazaar area. The second oldest Durga Puja was the Puja of Govindaram Mitra of Kumartuli in the earlier 1800 AD. Next renowned Puja was the Puja of Sovbazaar Raj Bari.

But gradually collective enterprises replaced the individual initiative. It was in 1790 AD that 12 Brahmin friends in Guptipara, Hooghly decided to institute Community Puja. Subscriptions were raised from neighbours. Thus started baro-yari Puja in Bengal which gained popularity in leaps and bounds.

Sarbojanin Durgotsab, as we know it today, started off much later in Kolkata, in the 1920s, with Shimlaya Byayam Samti and Bagbazar being the earliest.

At present hundreds of Pujas are held in the city’s lanes and bilanes. But Raja Ram Mohan Roy was the pioneer who promoted the idea of Durga Puja all over India, during the pre independence era.

Yet over the years, the ritualistic aspect has been reduced to a large extent in the community Pujas. The accent is clearly on Crowd Pulling capacity. Earlier Pandals would be draped in two coloured cloth spread over tarpaulin held up by a bare framework of bamboo poles.

Gradually it was the turn of the much brighter halogen lamps. Now of course there are metal lamps. Yet innovative pandals take the cake in terms of generating visitors’ volume.

NEXT

Advani's Shillong visit

Advani wants assailants of Christians punished
Our Bureau
SHILLONG/GUWAHATI: Denouncing the recent killings of Christians and attacks on churches in Orissa, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh, senior BJP leader LK Advani has called for punishment to the culprits as per the law of the land and said he would pursue the issue of anti-Christian violence with the governments in BJP-ruled states.

Mr Advani, during his visit to Shillong on Monday, stopped short of articulating his party's stand on the sensitive issue of communal unrest but assured Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy and different religious leaders that he would look into their concerns about the recent atrocities on Christians and ask the governments in BJP-ruled states to check recurrence of such violence.

Though the Opposition Leader in the Lok Sabha refused to address any press conference in the city fuelling speculation that BJP did not want its prime ministerial candidate to face "uncomfortable questions" from newsmen on issues related to violence against Christians, Mr Advani did tell the media at Guwahati airport that he had condemned the attacks on Christians and wanted the guilty punished. "I strongly condemn these acts of violence and vandalism which cannot be condoned or justified. The law must take its course and the culprits must be brought to justice," he said.

Mr Advani's comment "I am going to address a press conference at Guwahati" that he made at the public meeting at the Asom Kristi Kendra, Shillong irked mediapersons who had waited for several hours since 11 am to have a formal press meet with the BJP leader.

At their meeting with Mr Advani at a city hotel, Chief Minister Dr Donkupar Roy and NCP leader Purno A Sangma expressed concern over the atrocities on Christians in BJP-ruled states and sought the BJP leader's intervention on the matter.

Mr Advani told Dr Roy and Mr Sangma that he would look into the concerns raised by Christian leaders on the attacks on Christians allegedly unleashed by VHP and Bajrang Dal in Orissa, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh.

"He (Mr Advani) condemned the violence, and is very much concerned about the matter since he is also a product of a Christian school," Mr Sangma told reporters after the meeting.

Mr Advani also assured various religious leaders of taking up the issue of anti-Christian violence with the governments in BJP-ruled states. The all-faith meeting was attended by Arch Bishop of Shillong Arch Diocese Dominic Jala and Presbyterian Church of India (PCI) Administrative Secretary Rev SS Majaw, besides Hindu and Muslim religious leaders.

"Mr Advani has assured us that he would try to persuade the governments in BJP-ruled states to check violence against Christians," Arch Bishop Jala said while speaking to mediapersons. The Arch Bishop also submitted a memorandum to Mr Advani on the issue.

Interestingly, leaders of other Christian denominations like Church of God, Baptist Church and Petecostal Church were not invited to the meeting with the BJP leader.

Mr Advani also addressed a meeting of religious leaders in Guwahati where he stressed that "there is a need for frank and constructive inter-religious dialogues on all such issues that may be agitating the mind of this or that community."

‘Keep Congress out of power’
By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: Virtually launching BJP's campaign for the next Lok Sabha elections, veteran politician and BJP prime ministerial candidate LK Advani on Monday said Meghalaya had shown the way for the country in keeping Congress out of power and held the Sonia Gandhi-led party solely responsible for illegal immigration of Bangladeshis into the North-East.

"Meghalaya has shown the way for the country in giving holiday to Congress which ruled the State for many years. Let the whole country also give similar holiday to Congress in the coming Lok Sabha elections," Mr Advani said at a public meeting at the Asom Kristi Kendra, Dhankheti here.

Amid thunderous applause, the firebrand BJP leader said, "Holiday for Congress is good for both the party and the country. We will ensure that maximum number of seats should go to NDA in the next general polls."

Without making any reference to the violence against Christians in the country, Mr Advani sought to belittle the death threat issued to him via an e-mail by a youth from Shillong in the name of Indian Mujaheedin (IM), saying, "My visit to this city was publicised in the whole country thanks to reports about the e-mail threat which, I hope, is being looked into by the government."

On the issue of influx of Bangladeshis, he reiterated that illegal immigration of Bangladeshis into the North-East had remained a threat to the ethnic identity of people of the region and blamed Congress for failing to deal with the issue.

Despite the Supreme Court admonishing the Congress Government in Assam on the erstwhile IMDT Act, the government had "colluded" with illegal immigrants by resorting to amendment to the Foreigners Detection Act, he said.

"The Congress Government in Assam has colluded with illegal immigrants by making it possible for them to enter the state and also ensuring that they cannot be pushed back," Mr Advani said.

Further, Mr Advani said the concerns of various states, including Meghalaya, would be seriously taken up by NDA if the alliance came to power at the Centre.

"The purpose of my visit here is to make it clear that BJP is determined to see that all requirements of the North-East are taken care of. Though the North-East is far from the rest of the country, the region is close to our party (BJP)," he said.

Expressing concern over the threat of terrorism to the country, the BJP leader said stringent anti-terror law was required to deal with the menace.

source: theshillongtimes

Nongkhnum- The beginning of the end for Meghalaya?

By NW Syngkli

First of all let me state that I am a Khasi and a resident of Nongstoin. Born in West Khasi Hills District , educated in Shillong , I am now earning my livelihood in Delhi, the Capital of India. The green, forest clad hills of Meghalaya , the wholesome air we breathe, its crystal clear rivers and especially its renowned and scenic tourist spots are the memories I always carry with me. It is the wealth I would never sell or exchange for anything else. In this bustling, overcrowded, polluted and utterly inhospitable metropolis, far away from family and friends, these are the memories that help me retain both my identity as well as my sanity . It is the same for all other Meghalayans residing outside their home state , be it Delhi, Mumbai or any other place on earth. It was therefore with shock and a sense of utter disbelief that I and many others like me read about the on going destruction of one of the most beautiful spots in Meghalaya - Nongkhnum River Island. Why are we all so hell bent on destroying our precious natural resources? Just recently it was the destruction of all life forms in the River Lukha of Jaintia Hills, an ecological and environmental disaster of such magnitude, that it would have shocked the entire World, but one that our politicians managed to keep under wraps. I read the news about Nongkhnum and I cried. Bawled my head off! In truth I cried because of the death of a thing I loved the most - the beauty and grace of my beloved Khasi and Jaintia Hills .

I have now realized that Meghalaya is not dying because of any natural cause . Its downward slide has nothing to do with God or Nature. Instead it has all to do with the greed, the voracity and the short sighted vision of the very people we have elected to lead us. Meghalaya’s environmental down slide to oblivion is basically because of the insatiable greed of its politicians ably abetted by senior bureaucrats of the state. Nongkhnum is now being ravaged because its trees are being converted into charcoal. Are the local people to blame ? West Khasi hills is one of the most neglected and backward of all the districts in Meghalaya. Landlessness and poverty prevails. Charcoal is the main raw material for the hundreds of ferro alloy units at Byrnihat. So why blame the poor for devastating our forests to earn a miserable livelihood ? Instead let us ask as to why the ferro alloy units at Byrnihat have been allowed to come up? Why has the market for charcoal been deliberately created ? If charcoal was the main raw material / fuel for these units was this not reflected in the Detailed Project Report submitted to the Govt at the time of application for licenses?

An article in a leading English daily of the region speaks of a bureaucratic blame game in progress. The PCCF speaks of the need for immediate conservation measures but at the same time not losing the opportunity to cover his flanks by laying the blame at the door of the District Council. Where and what were the objections of the Forest Department when the ferro metal units were brought before the Single Window Agency of the state? What were the comments of the PCCF and the then Chief Secretary on the issue ? What are the benefits that these units bring to the state and its people? These are questions that have to be answered. They need an answer simply because of the fact that the industrial units at Byrnihat are a curse; a drain and a positive danger to Meghalaya and its people. The media report simply supports this accusation. So if this is true; if the ferro alloy units at Byrnihat are a threat ; a danger ; a hazard and a risk to the state and its people then who is responsible for the creation of this menace?

The answer to this question is a story by itself. A former Chief Minister and his then Chief Secretary were warned of the consequences of granting further licenses to industrial units at Byrnihat. This warning about power shortage and environmental degradation , came in the form of a note at one of the Single Window Sessions of the Government. Unfortunately this warning had to fight against wads of currency notes and the warning was totally ignored. The outcome is there for all of us to see. The then Chief Minister received a double doctorate in theology and went on to become the richest politician in the North East with estimated current assets at Rs 800 Crores or even more. Sources of such wealth – unknown. He retains his hold over the party because of ill gotten wealth. The then Chief Secretary has constructed the single largest mansion known by any civil servant. A testimony of the triumph of greed over common decency! Again sources of income- unknown. In the past three years people of Meghalaya had to undergo unheard of load shedding programmes because of the diversion of power to the industrial units at Byrnihat. The river Umtru has been thoroughly polluted. Influx of outsiders has increased because the industrial houses simply refused to engage local labour. In West Khasi Hills entire swathes of forest are wiped out and converted to charcoal to feed the needs of the units at Byrnihat. In the process more than 22 lac people in Meghalaya lost out. Two persons gained from the misery of others.

This narration is no witch hunt. It is just a statement of facts as they exist. Anyone can check out these facts by merely asking for them through the RTI from the Planning Department, the Directorate of Industry and the Office of the Chief Secretary. In addition to the above the duo have also sold out all the lime stone resources of Jaintia Hills to more than 14 cement companies. The prospects of what will happen to Jaintia Hills in the next 20 years is too horrible to contemplate. The entire district is poised to become a desert that shall be unable to produce and sustain any animal life form. Jaintia Hills shall then be inhabited only by lizards , scorpions and snakes . Evidence of the arrogance and foolishness of the Pnars of today!

There are some very disturbing questions that need answers. Did my father , my uncle , my aunty and the generation before me sacrifice all so that some cheap tinhorn politician can sell Meghalaya for his own personal gain? Do we as a people deserve such leaders? When will the rape and looting of this beautiful state stop? Are we ready to stop this rush towards our own doom and self destruction ? What will our children do 20 years hence ? They will curse our memory as they weep as refugees and slaves in some strange distant land !

source: theshillongtimes.com

Air Chief down plays B’desh-China missile ‘deal’

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG: Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Fali S Major has downplayed reports of Bangladesh trying to build its missile arsenal with help from China, saying Bangladesh has every right to upgrade its weaponry.

Addressing reporters at Eastern Air Command headquarters, Upper Shillong on Saturday, Mr Major said the move on the part of Bangladesh to equip itself with Chinese missiles was not at all a cause for concern for India.

"Every sovereign nation has a right to upgrade its weaponry and other equipment. This does not gives us (India) any worry as we are also in the transformation period in terms of modernisation of our weaponry," the Air Force chief said in his keynote address at the three-day annual Station Commanders' Conference of IAF Eastern Air Command which began in the city on Saturday.

Mr Major also ruled out any threat from China. "We do not go by any threat perception, but our force restructuring will be done only by analysing the intention of China," he said.

According to the Air Force chief, all Advanced Landing Grounds (ALGs) in the North-East are being upgraded.

Mr Major said Tezpur air base would be deployed with Sukhoi SU-30MKI combat jets very soon to enhance India's air dominance.

"Upgradation of infrastructure and other facilities of Air Force in India will undergo a sea change in the next five to seven years. We will take every step to see that the Indian Air Force looks different, and the support of the government in this regard has been overwhelming," he said. source: theshillongtimes.com

‘Growing inequalities in NE a serious concern’

By Our Reporter

Shillong: The growing inequalities in the largely egalitarian tribal societies of North East India including the severe disparities in income levels among the tribal population of Meghalaya is a case of serious concern and needs to be addressed urgently to avoid long term ramifications on the society.

This has been said by Mr Phrang Roy, former International Civil Servant and ex-vice president of International Fund for Agricultural Development during his recent visit to Shillong. Mr Roy said this while talking to Doordarshan Kendra Shillong in the fortnightly programme - On The Move which will be telecast on Sunday at 7.30 pm from DDK Shillong.

Delving deeply on the issue of marginalisation of a section of the community by citing specific examples of growing inequalities, the former IAS officer of the Maharastra cadre who joined IFAD with a deep sense of involvement to provide adequate food security to thousands in the world with intervention from multi-lateral agencies like IFAD, Mr Roy said that the long cherished values inherent in tribal societies will come under severe strain in the face of imbalances in growth and development.

Observing that this is not a phenomenon unique to this part of the country, Mr Phrang Roy said that it is important to share responsibilities and fates across the economic divide and bring about a uniform spread of prosperity.

Though expressing his happiness at the outcome of the new development paradigm brought about by institutions like IFAD in North East India through the North East region community resource and management group, the man who is actually held responsible for the pioneering efforts in bringing in organisations like IFAD through the much appreciated NARM Groups said that no organisations, institutions or multi-lateral agencies can bring about development until the people themselves decide to better their lives and future with the own endeavours.

The wide ranging conversation brings out the facets of a multi-talented persona of Phrang Roy delves into a host of issues and traces the interesting nuances of the life and times of the great man right from his childhood to school and college days and before he entered the Civil Service. source: theshillongtimes.com

3rd Darpan Mrs India North-East in Guwahati

By Our Reporter

Shillong: ‘Darpan’ will hold the third Darpan Mrs India North-East on November 22 at ITA Complex, Machkhowa, Guwahati. According to a statement issued here, the contest which had been organised by Darpan under the banner of Epitome Communications, since the last two years, was started with the motive of exploring the talent of the women of this region and giving them a platform to showcase their talents and potentials in the glamour world as well.

The first-ever "Darpan Mrs India North East" was held in 2006. Last year, Maneesha Rajput (Squadron leader in the Shillong-based Indian Air force, Eastern Air Command) who represented Meghalaya won the crown. Another girl from the State - Daina won the first runner-up title. source: theshillongtimes.com

Ethnic nepotism or merit?

Rajesh Dev

Everyone everywhere seems to be engaged in cutting the heads off a hydra. Large sections of the people are alarmed at the deteriorating quality of our political life, our social values, our academic standards or what have you. These worries are being articulated with serious reflection but distinctive personal biases by expressive commentators. Yet these commentaries seem like incremental interventions that perhaps inadvertently, neglect the core issues of quality and measure of human material. All our institutions, values and norms are sensing deterioration in quality human material that gets characterised as sectoral institutional collapse. Indeed the issue concerning the quality of human material and the related anxieties are certainly universal and therefore may seem gratuitous, to be articulated only as a “regional” North-eastern anxiety in a dedicated page of this newspaper. Interestingly, a reader recently reminded me that the issues that I have often raised through these columns are not necessarily issues that have exotic growth in the region called the North-east, but is a pervasive ailment of the national soul. I wish I could tell him that it has exactly been my customary estimation in these columns that anxieties of the region are not typically unique. So the violations of the rights of minorities in Gujarat, or the expressions of violent antipathy towards certain communities in Mumbai or the blatant reflection of political depravity amongst the political class or even the transgressions of citizens’ rights by extra-legal organisations. All have their parallel manifestations in this region that so patently declares its difference. Nevertheless, there are aspects that introduce “unique” vernacular elements to these universal stories of anxiety that is not typical of this region called the North-east but other locales too. The metaphorical category called the North-east also encounters identical anxieties but the idioms for articulating these anxieties have typical local eccentricity. In Meghalaya, currently there is an animated anxiety concerning its institutions of learning. The Meghalaya chief minister recently rued the corrosion in the “quality of education” in his his state; while the minister for higher and technical education passionately declared the wish of the government to make the state capital a “knowledge city”. Even observers scrutinising the working of a number of such institutions, in the state and the region, have criticised the complete lack of integrity and transparency in the functioning and appointment procedures in institutions of higher learning. Yet the “regional” bias of these expressions lies in the fact that all forms of social anxieties are sought to be explained and reconciled through a fixed ethnic prism. Indeed ethnic identity that forms the basis of social differentiation and oppression in the region is the most proximate idiom through which rationalisation of social anxieties and concerns are made. Even the most progressive of voices inadvertently identify with this ethnic idiom to explain social conditions. Explorations that begin with concerns for merit in institutions like the Indian Institute of Managements subliminally revert to this ethnic idiom to explain lack of academic propriety. So ethnic nepotism by the incumbent director is obliquely assumed to be the reason why the newly established IIM at Shillong has a large number of faculty members and office-bearers from a particular community. Another section of society is of the opinion that it is ethnic discrimination that denies many indigenous aspirants any substantive roles in institutions like the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences. Both these institutions, along with many others, are thus caught in the bind of ethnic arguments and indigenous claims. The region has around 16 universities, six medical institutes, one IIM, one IIT and one NIT besides a host of colleges that also offer post-graduate courses. Yet we find the largest portion of students in institutes of higher institutes in other parts of India belonging to this region. It is estimated that 20 per cent of the IT workforce in many states of south India belong to the region. Applicants having the desired qualifications for posts in various institutes have been denied appointment to faculty positions in states like Meghalaya, because of pressures that emanate not from concerns of merit but ethnic kinship and skewed criteria of reservations. There are also subtle pressures in some states for the conversion of faculty positions reserved for Other Backward Classes and Scheduled Castes into reserved positions for Scheduled Tribes. Institutes are denied the autonomy and control over matters of appointment and measures for quality control because of prevailing social perceptions. Questions of merit cannot be determined simply by adherence to formal degrees and institutional positions. We may recall that the influential theorist and philosopher Karl Popper was a cabinet-maker and school teacher. So was Will Durant, who taught in a school. Their professional positions however did not subvert their innovative originality as thinkers and creative scholars. Social perceptions, conventional norms of merit and current notions of control over institutions need to be sincerely addressed without ambiguous loyalties if institutions in the region are to have social relevance and worth. It is the design, character and autonomy of our institutions that will ultimately shape the content and quality of the societies in the region. Source: http://www.thestate sman.net/ page.news. php?clid= 14&theme=&usrsess=1&id=210878