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By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 26: Gorkha Pathshala Higher Secondary School, Mawprem, on Tuesday organised a one-day School Fete-cum-Food Fest as part of its yearlong sesquicentennial celebrations.

Principal Amit Thapa said the event saw significant participation from students, parents, and the public. Various stalls and activities were set up at the school premises to mark the institution’s 150th anniversary.

The school also announced the winners of its raffle draw. Ticket number 585 won the first prize, while the second to fifth prizes went to ticket numbers 901, 5094, 330, and 1197, respectively.

Consolation prizes were won by ticket numbers 168, 4082, 2718, 7427, 3995, 6845, 6537, 1357, 2578, 599, 1698, 2215, 5621, 3523, and 4998. Winners are requested to collect their prizes from the school.

The entertainment industry is mourning the loss of veteran actor Ramakant Daayama, who passed away at the age of 69 on May 26, 2026, following a prolonged illness.

The news of his demise was shared by actor and close friend Shubhangi Latkar through an emotional social media tribute.

Remembered for his work across films, television, theatre, and digital platforms, Daayama was widely respected for bringing authenticity and emotional depth to character-driven performances. He was known for his roles in Chak De! India, Dhanak, and the acclaimed web series Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story.

In her heartfelt note, Latkar described the late actor as ‘a truly beautiful soul’ and someone she deeply admired both personally and professionally. (ANI)

From Our Correspondent

From Our Correspondent

NONGPOH, May 26: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) North Khasi Hills District unit on Tuesday welcomed the progress of several long-pending infrastructure projects along National Highway-6 in Ri-Bhoi.

A KSU delegation met with Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal to review the status of demands including the construction of foot overbridges (FOBs), road repairs, and the installation of streetlights. The union noted that these safety measures had remained unresolved for several years.

KSU district president Ferdynald Kharkamni told media persons that the construction of foot overbridges is gaining momentum at key locations, including Nongpoh, Umsning, Byrnihat, Arphewmer, and Mawlein-Mawkhan. He also confirmed that streetlight installation has commenced in Nongpoh town, with the remaining sections expected to be completed soon.

“Owing to the proactive approach of the Deputy Commissioner, these projects are finally moving forward,” Kharkamni said. He added that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has repaired most of the damaged stretches along the highway, providing relief to commuters.

The union further suggested that the NHAI should bear the electricity costs for the new streetlights while the highway remains under its jurisdiction. According to Kharkamni, approximately 40 per cent of the union’s infrastructure demands have been fulfilled.

As a gesture of appreciation, the union—led by Kharkamni and District Secretary James Hitler Mawphniang—felicitated Baranwal with a traditional Ryndia muffler and a memento. The delegation also extended its best wishes to the Deputy Commissioner as he prepares to take charge of the East Khasi Hills district.

© 1975 Peanuts Worldwide LLC. Dist. by Andrews McMeel Syndication.

PEANUTS

Snoopy thinks: “FIVE GOLD RINGS, FOUR COLLY BIRDS”

Snoopy thinks: “THREE FRENCH HENS”

Snoopy thinks: “TWO TURTLE DOVES”

Snoopy thinks: “AND WOODSTOCK IN A BIRCH TREE!”

===AUTHOR===
SCHULZ

Meghalaya AQI

3rd Week May 2026

AIR QUALITY INDEX (AQI) OF CITY/TOWN/INDUSTRIAL AREAS IN THE STATE OF MEGHALAYA

(A) MONITORED UNDER : NATIONAL AIR MONITORING PROGRAM (NAMP)

Sl. No. City Cover /Location No. of Sampling Stations Air Quality Index (AQI) Value Rating

1 Shillong 4 41 Good

2 Dawki 3 29 Good

3 Khliehriat 3 43 Good

4 Byrnihat 4 82 Satisfactory

5 Umiam 3 32 Good

6 Tura 3 30 Good

7 Ampati 3 33 Good

8 Dadenggre 3 36 Good

9 Nongstoin 3 45 Good

10 Norongkhol 1 17 Good

11 Amlarem 1 32 Good

12 Laitdiengsai 1 31 Good

(B) MONITORED UNDER : STATE AIR MONITORING PROGRAM (SAMP)

1 Nongsning, EJ Hills 1 54 Satisfactory

2 Chiehruphi, EJ Hills 1 54 Satisfactory

3 PHC, Lumshnong, EJ Hills 1 56 Satisfactory

4 Tpep Pale, Jowai, WJ Hills 1 34 Good

5 Nongkulang, SWK Hills 1 47 Good

6 Nongjri, SWK Hills 1 44 Good

MISA

© 2023 UFS Dist. By Andrews McMeel for UFS

YOU CAN’T GET OFF YOUR HIGH HORSE GRACEFULLY

10/30

(Contd from P-1) contractors, then our own people are being denied opportunities,” Kharkrang said. He said the matter assumes significance at a time when Meghalaya is facing unemployment challenges, and local entrepreneurs are seeking entry into larger infrastructure sectors. “A substantial amount of capital investment is coming into Meghalaya through central government support. Wherever possible, local contractors should benefit from these opportunities,” Kharkrang said.

He pointed out that major contracts awarded to outside firms are often subcontracted to local contractors, which proves that local firms possess the capability to execute such works. “If local contractors are capable of executing these works as subcontractors, there is no reason they should not be allowed to bid directly,” he said.

On demands by pressure groups for an independent inquiry into the allotment of the contracts, Kharkrang refrained from endorsing such calls, stressing that the priority should be policy reform rather than questioning the integrity of the process.

“It may well be a transparent process, but if the eligibility conditions are excessively stringent, then the government must review them,” he said.

Calling for a policy shift, he suggested that projects involving multiple locations and smaller individual components should be divided into manageable packages to facilitate local participation. “These are not single mega engineering projects like dam construction. Many components are spread across different areas, with individual works valued at Rs 20 crore, Rs 80 crore and so on. Such works can be opened to local contractors if the conditions are made less restrictive,” he added.

The issue has evoked reactions also from pressure groups, opposition parties and contractors’ bodies, particularly over the allotment of key water supply projects, including the escalated New Shillong Township Water Supply Scheme, to an outside firm.

The Meghalaya PHE Contractors Association recently stated that local contractors are fully capable of executing large-scale projects if the current eligibility conditions are relaxed.

The association clarified that it is not opposed to the award of contracts to outside firms but argued that requirements such as high turnover thresholds and prior experience matching the project value effectively exclude local players.

It further stated that the issue had already been taken up with the state government, with a request that the remaining components of the New Shillong Township Water Supply Scheme (Phase II) be distributed among local contractors according to their respective capacities.

The association recalled that under previous PHE administrations, works were often divided into smaller packages and successfully executed by local contractors.

First author Tamires Zanao, a Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) fellowship recipient, University of Sao Paulo.

The duration for which one remains depressed may impact how severely the mental disorder makes changes in the brain, according to a study.

Researchers from the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil and University of Oxford in the UK analysed brain images from 46 patients with major depression.

Results suggest that the duration of depressive episodes is associated with differences in functional brain connectivity. The findings could help with developing personalised treatments.

“Major depression can alter brain function compared to people without the disorder,” first author Tamires Zanao, a Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) fellowship recipient, University of Sao Paulo, said.

However, the study identified that chronic patients, or those with depression for more than 24 months, and non-chronic ones displayed distinct connectivity patterns between two networks- the central executive network (CEN), focused on executive control, and the default mode network (DMN), associated with introspective thoughts and self-reflection, Zanao said.

“The key finding was that chronicity moderated the impact of severity on functional connectivity between the Central Executive Network (CEN) and the precuneus (part of the Default Mode Network, DMN),” the authors wrote. While typically, both the networks exhibit dynamics in coordination with the salience network- involved in switching focus between the external environment and internal processes- in depression, the dynamics may be altered, associated with symptoms such as rumination and difficulty concentrating, the researchers said.

“That misalignment between those networks may favour the predominance of introspective and self-referential thoughts, often with a negative bias. That helps explain why people with depression tend to get stuck in negative thoughts and have difficulty directing their attention to the environment when necessary,” Zanao explained.

Brain regions that help with executive control required for goal-oriented tasks include the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, while those involved with internal processes such as self-reflection and spontaneous thoughts are the medial prefrontal cortex, precuneus, and hippocampus.

The default mode network is divided into subnetworks, such as those involving the precuneus which serves as a central hub for brain connectivity.

The researchers found that the duration of depression appears to be associated with the dynamics of the central executive network and default mode network. Among those with more recent episodes, the functional link between the CEN and precuneal regions in the DMN decreases as symptoms worsen.

“The results are consistent with the hypothesis that changes in brain connectivity in depression may evolve over time. (PTI)

===AUTHOR’S NAME AND AFFILIATION===
Tamires Zanao, a Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) fellowship recipient, University of Sao Paulo

(Contd from P-1) He said Congress workers across districts are actively connecting with people at the household level, believing this direct approach will be more effective in re-building voter trust.

The MPCC president claimed there is a noticeable shift in public mood in favour of the Congress, with anti-incumbency sentiments growing against both the state government and autonomous district councils. He added that many youth and former supporters of other parties are returning to the Congress fold. However, Pala cautioned that it is still too early to predict election outcomes, as voters usually take their final decisions closer to polling day.

Pala downplayed the impact of the BJP’s recent electoral successes in other states on Meghalaya. He argued that the political behaviour and voting patterns in the state are distinct, with voters being politically conscious and guided primarily by local issues and realities.

Despite years of effort, he said, the BJP has failed to establish the kind of dominance in Meghalaya that it enjoys elsewhere. Voters, according to him, will ultimately judge parties based on governance and delivery rather than national narratives.

(Contd from P-3) has further damaged the local industry by crashing prices and increasing the risk of disease transmission.

Calling the current situation “morally insupportable,” the group demanded an immediate suspension of all bank recovery proceedings, direct compensation for ASF-related losses, and the creation of a state-level relief fund. They also called for stricter regulations on the entry of livestock from outside the state.

Additionally, the federation urged the government to introduce a “Buy Meghalaya Pork” policy to prioritise local farmers and called for the strengthening of veterinary infrastructure in rural areas.

The Federation of Piggery Farmers was established on March 21, 2026, to unite farming societies across the state and advocate for the welfare of pig farmers.