From Saurav BoraFrom Saurav Bora
A concrete bridge over the Simsang river has taken over a quarter of a century to be inaugurated, thanks to umpteen pleas and demands raised by conscious sections, including a number of NGOs from time to time. Another, lying incomplete on the approach road from the highway, may be heading towards a similar fate as vehicles, four and two-wheelers alike on either end of a rickety bridge adjacent to the RCC facility wait for turns to cross the only “gateway” to Williamnagar. “The bridge over the Simsang was lying incomplete for more than 25 years, crippling access to the interiors, till it was inaugurated. The one that you see while entering the town has been in a similar state for many years. Imagine if an ambulance getting stuck or delayed for it. It can be the difference between life and death,” rued Hiralal Roy Basunia, a stationery shop owner in the market. Once inside, the town, arguably the second biggest in Garo Hills is gifted with plainer topography, akin to a town in Assam. From the police station to a number of government offices, including a planned deputy commissioner’s office complex, things are orderly to an extent. But overall growth has not kept pace with time as elections have come and gone. EducationBarring a few apparently established private schools in the urban localities, Williamnagar cuts a sorry figure when it comes to roads and schools in the interiors.Located across a decent plot in the heart of the town is the Williamnagar Government College. The old-world, laidback feel is welcoming but a big enough playground turning into a grazing area for cattle in the afternoons and Assam-type structures sans basic infrastructure speak volumes of the apathy on the part of the authorities to upgrade the institution.In terms of teaching staff too, the institution faces a shortage, residents here say.Jomen T. Sangma, an employee of the college, said, “There are close to 1,500 students. We have about 26 teachers at the degree level and 15 contractual teachers at the higher secondary level.”Some of the citizens this correspondent spoke to were apparently not impressed with the lack of progress in the education sector.”The legislator also happens to be the education minister of the state and yet she has not taken any initiatives in developing the sector. At a time when students of other regions are reaping the benefits of smart classes and digital education, the scenario here hasn’t changed. We don’t even have basic infrastructure while whatever we have are left unattended for years,” said a senior citizen. In terms of results also, the private institutions are making a mark.”The pass percentage may have improved over the years, but compared to private institutions, government colleges are way behind when it comes to board exam results,” another employee of the government college said, requesting anonymity.HealthcareThe healthcare scenario is not too different from a majority of the constituencies in the state that struggle to either have the right doctor-patient ratio, equipment or both.The 100-bed Williamnagar Civil Hospital located in the heart of the town appears impressive from outside but a sneak peek allows one to conduct a reality check.”There is no doctor now,” said a female patient, seated in a lonely corner of the hospital in the afternoon.An employee later asked the correspondent to visit the district medical and health services office, located a kilometre or two away, for details regarding manpower and machines at the hospital. “There are about 18 doctors in the hospital while two others are attending a training programme,” confirmed an employee in the office of the district medical and health services. Over and above, the hospital does not have specialists or surgeons. “Barring one gynaecologist, there are no specialists, be it in orthopaedics or ophthalmology. There is no pathology department. Besides there is a dearth of proper ultra sound machines. So critical cases have to be referred to Tura, Guwahati or even Goalpara,” a resident said. UnemploymentA number of educated youths have taken to driving autorickshaws and other commercial vehicles for lack of jobs in government departments. The bevy of such vehicles waiting for the next passenger bears testimony to the fact. C Sangma, who was somewhat reluctant to talk but opened up after a while, said, “I studied till college and had run from one department to the other in search of a job. But later gave up on the pursuit. I became an autorickshaw driver instead.”Complementing the young man, former MLA and NPP candidate Marcuise N Marak, said. “So many educated youths here have failed to get jobs in the government departments in the past five years.” Elusive stadiumDespite some new structures which have come up in Williamnagar, the town has struggled to own a stadium, a proposal for which was sent to the DoNER ministry during Marcuise’s term as MLA in 2008-2013. “I tried to set up a stadium, a proposal for which was prepared by the district sports association and sent to the DoNER ministry. But because of the state government’s lack of intent, the project did not materialise,” the former legislator alleged.Residents here say it is unfortunate that development has not been balanced.”Now you have a world class stadium coming up at Ampati, which happens to be the chief minister’s home constituency. But we are yet to have one,” one of them rued while pointing at the state of the playground near the college.TourismBe it beautification of the Simsang river bank, which invariably turns into a spot for picnic parties during winter, or the renovation of the Pa Togan Sangma Memorial at Chisobibra, precious little has been done to glorify and promote what is there in the constituency.”The memorial remains devoid of visitors even in the evening. Now, we have some youths who come just to have a good time. At times, some even litter its surroundings,” a villager said.Multi-cornered fightWilliamnagar is poised for a multi-cornered fight with heavyweights such as Cabinet minister and MLA, Deborah C Marak (Congress), Marcuise Marak (NPP) and Jonathone N Sangma (Independent) in the fray. Despite Deborah defeating Jonathone by a handsome margin of close to 3,000 votes in 2013, she has a battle in her hands with Marcuise and Jonathone both gearing up for the polls.Besides the trio, former MDC and UDP’s Mahamsing M Sangma, former civil service officer and BJP’s Santosh R Marak and a couple of Independent candidates are also in the fray. Deborah C. Marak, however, could not be contacted despite several attempts. In an earlier interaction with this correspondent, Deborah, who is eyeing to retain her seat, had admitted that the main contest in Williamnagar would be between the Congress and the NPP. Deborah, who is also the education minister, sounded confident, saying, “I work round the clock and have given priority to education, as I think if the sector develops, the rest follow. I have always been with people and would say that I have done well (in the past five years).” Asked how he rates his chances in the Assembly election, Marcuise says, “I’m hopeful of coming back because I have always been accessible to people. During my tenure as legislator from 2008 to 2013, I tried to reach out to the masses and I think they have not forgotten that.” The NPP leader said the “division in the Congress camp” would turn things in his favour this time. “Besides, in the past five years, the sitting MLA, who also happens to be a Cabinet minister, has not done any credible work. She had promised a hanging bridge, the foundation for which was laid a long time back. But that hasn’t materialised till date. People here are therefore unhappy with her,” he claimed. On his focus areas, Marcuise said, “Road infrastructure tops my priority list. Education is next as there are several schools either unattended or damaged. An LP school that I recently visited was damaged by a storm but yet to be repaired. The only government college in Williamnagar town is also craving for attention.” The former MLA said he would focus on healthcare as there were no specialists in Williamnagar Civil Hospital.
