Famously called the abode of clouds, the state Meghalaya flaunts its beauty with windswept table-top mountains and lush green forests with spellbound streams and waterfalls. The rich culture and tradition of Garo, Khasi & Jaintia tribes, and their peaceful co-existence with nature contributes to the charm of the state. The shining bright example of this harmony is the Living Root bridges in our state. These bridges are shaped by our communities by manipulating the roots across a river or stream creating an out-worldly illusion enough to enchant anyone who visits these places. There are many such places defining tourism in Meghalaya. However, the culture and warmth of our people is the basis of our tourism efforts and hence the key USP. The state’s commitment to responsible travel practices has earned its recognition at the Indian Responsible Tourism State Awards (IRSTA) 2024.

It may be mentioned that the Indian Responsible Tourism State Awards (IRSTA) 2024, organised by the Department of Tourism in Meghalaya in collaboration with Outlook Group, in order to observe World Tourism Day. This state-level award is an effort of the Tourism Department in promoting responsible and sustainable tourism, in line with the Meghalaya Tourism Policy of 2023.

At the awards, Sieng Riti Institute, founded by Shri Snar Singh Malngiang, was awarded Gold in Sustainable Leadership Cultural Ambassadors. Sharing his testament, he said, “The sole objective of Sieng Riti Institute when we formed was based on three pillars – Learn Preserve and Impart. The Institute imparts training in traditional music, customs, and usages based on indigenous knowledge and practices, to preserve, protect and promote Khasi traditions. When we first started, in 2002, we found only teens of 17-18 were interested in learning, gradually we have seen that even children of 6 & 7 years of age have keen interest as well in learning. Now, we have over 170 of them”.

The Sieng Riti Institute is strongly supported by the local community, educational institutions and NGOs and currently has 150 young trainees from the region. The institute’s presence has made Wahkhen a cultural hub and attracts many tourists and researchers from the state and the country.

As one the winners of Sustainable Leadership Grassroots Heroes Award, Smt. Vianney Basiewdor Nongrum, an awardee shared her testimony, stating, “After completing my studies on Fashion Design & Textile Design I came in contact with women of Raid Nongtluh, a village cluster, and other village clusters of Ri Bhoi district. I found that these women were not only hard working and also bore skilful talent in weaving. Furthermore, they (weavers) use natural ingredients to dye. I work with 10 women, but there are many more women and girls that work under their supervision. I feel that this will not only invoke employment generation but also a sense of responsibility that they have a part to play to preserve and culture and roots.”

Notably, Shillong, surpassing the historic city of Baku in Azerbaijan, has emerged as the top trending destinations of 2025, as per reports “Travel Trends Report” by Skyscanner. The government’s push for sustainable and eco-tourism adds to its appeal, making Shillong a top choice for travellers. With the celebration of upcoming Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, on the 15 & 16 November 2024, at RBDSA Sports Complex, Madan Kurkalang, Ri Bhoi District, the government expects more travellers to visit the State and Shillong in particular.

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The signing ceremony took place at New Delhi in the presence of Chief Minister .Conrad K Sangma, Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal, Gurdeep Singh, CMD of NTPC Limited and Sanjay Goyal, CMD, MeECL.

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The post Govt of Meghalaya joins hands with NTPC to improve power infrastructure, connectivity in the state appeared first on newsmantra.in l Latest news on Politics, World, Bollywood, Sports, Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Trending news | News Mantra.

It is very likely to move north-northeastwards across northwest Bay of Bengal and cross West Bengal – Bangladesh coasts between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) close to Sundarbans during the Afternoon / Evening of 20th May 2020 as an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm with maximum sustained wind speed of 165-175 kmph gusting to 195 kmph.

(1) Heavy rainfall Warning:

Odisha

Coastal Odisha is likely to experience light to moderate rainfall at many places from tonight with heavy falls at isolated places over coastal Odisha (Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur & Kendrapara Districts) on 18th May, 2020. Rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places over north coastal Odisha (Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Balasore, Bhadrak & Mayurbhanj Districts) and isolated heavy falls over Khordha & Puri districts on 19th May and isolated heavy rainfall over north Odisha (Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Keonjhar Districts) on 20th May 2020.

West Bengal

Coastal districts of Gangetic West Bengal (East Medinipur, South & North 24 Parganas) are likely to experience light to moderate rainfall at many places with heavy falls at isolated places on 19th May. Rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places & extremely heavy falls at isolated places likely over Gangetic West Bengal (east & west Medinipur, south & north 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hoogli, Kolkata and adjoining districts) on 20th May and isolated heavy rain over interior districts on 21st May, 2020.

Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim

Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places over Malda & Dinajpur districts on 20th May and over most of the districts of Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim on 21st May, 2020.

Assam & Meghalaya

Light to moderate rainfall at most places with heavy to very heavy falls at a few places over the western districts of Assam & Meghalaya on 21st May.

(2) Wind warning

West Bengal & Odisha

• Squally wind speed reaching 45 to 55 kmph gusting to 65 kmph is likely to commence along and off south Odisha coast from 18th evening, increase becoming 55 to 65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph extend to along & off north Odisha coast from 19th morning and along and off West Bengal coast from 19th afternoon.

• The wind speed will gradually increase becoming gale wind speed reaching 75 to 85 kmph gusting to 95 kmph from 20th morning along and off north Odisha (Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts) and West Bengal (east & west Medinipur, south & north 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hoogli, Kolkata Districts). It will gradually increase thereafter becoming 110 to 120 kmph gusting to 135 kmph along & off the above mentioned districts of North Odisha.

• Gale wind speed reaching 165 to 175 kmph gusting to 195 kmph very likely along & off east Medinipur and north & south 24 Parganas districts and 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph over Kolkata, Hoogli, Howrah and West Medinipur Districts of West Bengal during the time of landfall (20th afternoon to night).

• Squally wind speed reaching 55-65 kmph gusting to 75 kmph likely to prevail over Puri, Khordha, Cuttack, Jajpur districts of Odisha during 20th May 2020.

Deep Sea area

• Gale wind speed reaching 230-240 gusting to 265 kmph is prevailing over westcentral Bay of Bengal. It is likely to increase becoming 230-240 gusting to 265 kmph over northern parts of central Bay of Bengal and adjoining North Bay of Bengal from tonight to 19th May morning.

• Gale wind speed reaching 200-210 gusting to 230 kmph over north Bay of Bengal from 19th morning and gradually decrease becoming 165-175 kmph gusting to 195 kmph by 20th evening.

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Elections were to be held for 18 Upper House across seven assemblies — Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and Gujarat — in the latest round of indirect elections for the 245-member council of states. Of the 55 seats that feel vacant, 37 members were elected unopposed.
The decision was taken at a meeting attended by election commissioners Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra.

“The situation because of Covid-19 mandates that we shouldn’t put MLAs in a congregation. The decision has been taken independently by the commission and will be up for review once the situation improves,” said a senior EC official who asked not to be named.

“We have decided to defer the polls as the situation is not conducive for them,” a second senior EC official told Hindustan Times. “We will review the decision after March 31,” he added.

The first official said that this round of elections will be conducted separately from the next round of Rajya Sabha polls due in June. “The two will not be clubbed together,” he said.

In a press release issued by ECI, it said the decision was being taken in view of the health risks posed by Covid-19.

“Commission has reviewed in detail the matter. The prevailing unforeseen situation of public health emergency indicates the need for avoidance of possibilities of gatherings of any nature, which expose all concerned to possible health hazard,” the release said.

“The poll process in the above said elections would necessarily include the gathering of polling officials, agents of political parties, support officials and members of respective Legislative Assemblies on the poll day, which may not be suitable in view of the prevailing unforeseen situation and related advisories in the country,” it added.

The Commission has invoked Article 153 of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951, under which the commission “for reasons which it considers sufficient, may extend the time for the completion of any election by making necessary amendments”. In accordance with its provisions, EC has “deferred the poll and extended the period of said election under the provisions of Section 153 of the Act”.

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Presently the last date of filing GSTR-3B returns for every taxpayer is 20th of every month. From now on, the last date for filing of GSTR-3B for the taxpayers having annual turnover of Rs 5 crore and above in the previous financial year would be 20th of the month. Thus, around 8 lakh regular taxpayers would have the last date of GSTR-3B filing as 20th of every month without late fees.

The taxpayers having annual turnover below Rs 5 crore in previous financial year will be divided further in two categories. The tax filers from 15 States/ UTs, i.e., Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Goa, Lakshadweep, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh will now be having the last date of filing GSTR-3B returns as 22nd of the month without late fees. This category would have around 49 lakh GSTR-3B filers who would now have 22nd of every month as their last date for filing GSTR-3B returns.

For the remaining 46 lakh taxpayers from the 22 States/UTs of Jammu and Kashmir, Laddakh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha having annual turnover below Rs 5 crore in previous financial year will now be having last date of filing the GSTR-3B as 24th of the month without late fees.

The Finance Ministry said that the necessary notification in this regard would be issued later by the competent authority.

In a statement issues, the Ministry further said that it has also taken a note of difficulties and concerns expressed by the taxpayers regarding filing of GSTR-3B and other returns. The matter has been discussed by the GSTN with Infosys, the Managed Service Provider, which has come out with above solution to de-stress the process as a temporary but immediate measure. For further improving the performance of GSTN filing portal on permanent basis, several technological measures are being worked out with Infosys and will be in place by April 2020.

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According to the Act, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan till December 31, 2014 and facing religious persecution there will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship.

The President’s assent comes even as protests in the northeastern states, particularly Assam, intensified on Thursday as violent mobs torched buildings and clashed with police, leading to the death of two people in police firing. Several others have also been wounded.

Meanwhile The US has urged India to protect the rights of its religious minorities in keeping with its Constitution and democratic values as it continues to watch the developments in various Indian states related to the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

“We are closely following developments about the Citizenship Amendment Bill. Respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law are fundamental principles of our two democracies,” a State Department spokesperson said on Thursday.

“The US urges India to protect the rights of its religious minorities in keeping with India’s Constitution and democratic values,” the spokesperson said.

Mobile internet services have been suspended across Meghalaya for the next 48 hours, officials said in the wake of the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill in Parliament. CVD Diengdoh, additional secretary to the government of Meghalaya (home police) department on Thursday said that mobile Internet and messaging were suspended for 48 hours from 5 pm on Thursday in entire Meghalaya to prevent a potential threat to public safety through SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is considering cancelling his trip to India scheduled to begin on Sunday, Japan’s Jiji Press reported.

Guwahati, the planned venue for a summit between Abe and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been engulfed in violent protests over a controversial citizenship law.

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