Meghalaya Nuggets

Assam Rifles reviews border security, modernisation at Shillong conference

SHILLONG, Nov 14: The two-day Assam Rifles Commanders’ Conference 2026 concluded in Shillong on Friday, with a primary focus on operational preparedness, border management and modernisation. Chaired by Director General Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera at the force’s headquarters in Laitkor, the conference brought together formation and battalion commanders to discuss emerging security challenges. Key deliberations centered on strengthening security along the Indo-Myanmar border and enhancing counter-insurgency capabilities. The commanders reviewed plans for the induction of advanced weaponry and the integration of new technologies to improve intelligence coordination. Lt Gen Lakhera highlighted the need for sustained operational vigilance and adaptability to effectively respond to evolving threats. During the session, the DG reviewed the achievements of various formations and outlined future strategic priorities. He commended the personnel for their dedication to maintaining peace and security under difficult conditions. The conference also covered training, infrastructure development and welfare measures aimed at improving the overall efficiency of the force.

International ethnobotany symposium in Shillong to focus on traditional healing

SHILLONG, Nov 14: Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU), in collaboration with the Society of Ethnobotanists, India (SEB), will host an international symposium on ‘Ethnobotany in Human Well-being’ from November 16 to 18 at its Umsawli campus. The event aims to provide a platform for researchers, academicians and traditional knowledge holders to explore the connections between plant diversity, indigenous knowledge systems and sustainable human well-being. A significant highlight of the symposium will be the participation of 50 traditional healers from various Indian regions. Their presence is intended to facilitate a dialogue on traditional healthcare practices and ensure they are recognised and promoted. The National Innovation Foundation (NIF) will also exhibit technologies rooted in the use of local plants and traditional ecological knowledge, offering researchers and students a chance to engage directly with innovators. The three-day event will feature keynote addresses and panel discussions on themes including ethnobotany and pharmacy, food security, biocultural conservation and climate change adaptation. A special focus will be placed on the interaction between traditional healers and scientists to explore possibilities for collaboration and knowledge validation.

Nababrata Bhattacharjee conferred Lifetime Achievement Award for environmental research

SHILLONG, Nov 14: Nababrata Bhattacharjee, Technical Advisor (Environment) to the Government of Meghalaya, has been conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award at an international conference for his nearly three-decade contribution to environmental research and academic advancement in the Northeast. Bhattacharjee, who also served as the Chairman of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority, received the honour at the 9th International Conference on Tradition, Science, Technology and Society (ICSTS-2026). The event was held under the aegis of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR). The award was presented by Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, president of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and former Member of Parliament, during the inaugural session. The conference, hosted by North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in collaboration with the VMS Foundation, was attended by delegates from across India and abroad. The recognition highlights Bhattacharjee’s sustained service to biodiversity research and institutional work in Meghalaya and the wider region over almost 30 years.

Naga community to host musical tribute to thank Meghalaya for century-old ties

SHILLONG, Nov 14: The Naga community in Shillong will host a musical tribute on Sunday to express gratitude to the people and government of Meghalaya for over a century of educational, cultural and socio-political ties. Titled ‘Thank You, Meghalaya: A Friendship Tribute Fellowship,’ the event will begin at 4 pm at the Naga Community Hall in Nongrim Hills. Organised by the Naga Christian Fellowship Shillong and the Naga Elders Forum Shillong, the programme is themed ‘Honouring Our Past, Celebrating Our Present, Inspiring Our Future’. The fellowship celebrates a relationship that dates back to 1918, when Neilhouzhü Kire became the first Naga student to matriculate from Shillong. Since then, Meghalaya has served as an intellectual hub for generations of Naga pioneers who shaped the history of Nagaland and Manipur. The evening will feature a performance by The Nagaland Madrigal Singers (TNMS), a choral ensemble that recently won two gold medals at the 13th World Choir Games 2024 in New Zealand. Led by conductor Hito Kiho, a recipient of the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, the group will perform classical madrigals, contemporary arrangements and indigenous Naga and Khasi folk tunes. In addition to the music, the event will include visual storytelling, reflecting on the lives of early Naga pioneers. The evening will conclude with a networking reception aimed at fostering future collaborations between the two states in education, arts and tourism.

NEEPCO holds painting competition on energy conservation

SHILLONG, Nov 14: NEEPCO successfully organised the State-Level Painting Competition on Energy Conservation–2026 at its corporate office in Shillong on Friday. Held under the aegis of the Ministry of Power, the competition featured 100 shortlisted students from Group A (Classes V–VII) and Group B (Classes VIII–X). The initiative aimed to sensitise schoolchildren to the importance of energy conservation through artistic expression. C. Kharkrang, Consultant at the Meghalaya State Electricity Regulatory Commission (MSERC), attended the event as the Chief Guest. The programme was also attended by Kamran Shaikh, Director of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), New Delhi, along with NEEPCO senior officials Samiran Sinha Ray (CHRO) and B. Maharana (CFO). In Group A, Nishan Das (Class V) took the first prize, followed by Adamya Priyam Handique (Class VI) in second and Minaksi Sukla Baidya (Class VII) in third. In Group B, Smaran Nath (Class X) emerged as the winner, while Aayush Das (Class VIII) secured the second prize.

Police seek help to trace two missing persons

SHILLONG, Nov 14: East Khasi Hills Police have sought public assistance in tracing two persons reported missing from Shillong, including a 14-year-old girl and a 60-year-old man. The missing persons have been identified as Khushi A. Sangma (14), who has been untraced since November 10, and Pankaj Kumar Paul (60), missing since October 12. For information regarding Khushi A. Sangma, the public is requested to contact Rynjah Police Station (69095-70011), the Police Control Room (60091-96479) or the Missing Desk (Crime Branch) at 88372-82114. In the case of Pankaj Kumar Paul, information can be shared with Lumdiengjri Police Station (70858-75556), the Police Control Room, or the Missing Desk. Police have assured that the identity of informants will be kept strictly confidential. Residents are urged to provide any information that could assist in locating the two individuals.

Khasi-Pnar movie Khih Win begins screening in Khliehriat

SHILLONG, Nov 14: The Khasi-Pnar movie Khih Win, directed by Heimon Lamurong, began its screening on Friday at the Khliehriat West Community Hall in East Jaintia Hills. A short programme was held before the screening, attended by former Khliehriat MLA Justin Dkhar, filmmaker Simi Khongtiang, and the movie’s cast and crew. Director Heimon Lamurong stated that the movie is a fictional commercial film intended primarily for entertainment. While coal-mining activities in East Jaintia Hills serve as a backdrop, he clarified that they are not the main focus of the plot. Lamurong urged the public to support the production, describing it as a departure from conventional Khasi and Pnar films. Simi Khongtiang, who attended to support the director, encouraged aspiring filmmakers to prioritise original storytelling. She noted that the local film industry has made significant progress and that government support through the ‘Hello Meghalaya’ platform has helped artists overcome challenges like piracy to pursue their creative goals. Khongtiang described Khih Win as an engaging film and appealed to the public to support local cinema, which sustains many individuals involved in the filmmaking process.