By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Compared to other states in the country, the development of human capital among the indigenous community in the state is very poor which calls for an immediate attention, UDP working president and Jaiaw MLA Paul Lyngdoh observed.
Lyngdoh was addressing a gathering at the Mait Shaphrang Award ceremony organized by the Khasi Student’s Union-Mawprem Circle at Lumkshaid, Mawprem here on Saturday.
“The level of excellence in the field of education among the indigenous community in the state is only 30 percent and it is distressing to notice many young people merely give up their studies even before passing the tenth standard”, Jaiaw MLA said.Lyngdoh also pointed out that there is no chance for the country to recognize this handful of indigenous communities in terms of population but being a small community, “we can always substitute quantity with quality be it terms of health, education, lifestyle and other aspects”, Lyngdoh said.
The local MLA also stressed on the services of doctors belonging to the local community to the people living in remote villages. “It is very sad to see that many PHCs and CHCs in remote areas are running without doctors and the main reason being, they (doctors) don’t want to serve in these areas”, Lyngdoh said adding this is something which requires the attention of the young people hoping that the same will not be repeated in future.
Meanwhile, former KSU president Samuel Jyrwa stressed on the need to strengthen the local youth and to prepare them to face any challenges in life. “The youth should work harder and refrain from any social ills at the same time, to see that they are not being misled by a few power hungry and selfish people”, Jyrwa said.
Earlier, former KSU general secretary Hamlet Dohling focused on the need to have quality in the administration. “Very few of our people are in the higher level and we need more of our own people up there because only they can understand the problems of their own kind”, Dohling said.
Paul Lyngdoh also gave away certificates and mementos to students of the locality who excelled in various examinations during the year 2011.
Later, Lyngdoh also released an Ambulance which will be run and managed by the KSU Mawprem circle to the people of that area.
Others who were present at the function included newly elected KSU president Daniel Khyriem, KSU general secretary Auguster Jyrwa, other members of the KSU from the central body as well as the circle, Rangbah Shnong, students and others.