Sankardev College: A beacon of enlightenment for 60 years

From a humble beginning of catering a scattering number of students, Sankardev College celebrated its 60 glorious years of triumph in the path of education, this year on 2nd September 2022.

In this episode of Shillong’s Iconic Structures, we are featuring the 60 years journey of Sankardev College, widely known as one of the finest colleges in the state.

Established on 2nd September 1962, the institution was at first affiliated to Gauhati University. It was initially instituted as an evening college, but within a year of its inception, following an increase in the enrolment of students, the day shift was then introduced.

Located in a partially crowded area, the college is situated at an unsung part of Bishnupur, Lawsohtun, Laban.

The college entrance welcomes one with a serene gallery, enclosed with trees, and a black gate escorts one to a four-story concrete building, accompanied by winsome flower beds and a basketball court.

The pastel blue colored building with a laud of dark blue pillars welcomes one into a warm essence of an edifying environment.

The interior of the college greets one with long running corridors and stairs connecting the classrooms-furnished with bright brown desks.

The foundation stone for the College building was laid on 4th October 1964, by late B.P. Chaliya, the then Chief Minister of Assam. In 1965, the construction of the building was undertaken with government grants and donations from the citizens of different parts of Assam, and the same was completed in 1968.

With the passing of The North eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, by the Parliament in 1971, Meghalaya attained statehood on 21st January 1972, with a legislative Assembly of its own. With the creation of the state of Meghalaya and the establishment of a Central University in the state, the College was affiliated with the North Eastern Hill University, Shillong.

The institution achieved an admirable amount of outcome with the arrival of Dr. R.N. Upadhayay, the founding Principal of the college and it was during his tenure that the institution diversified with the number of courses offered and the introduction of science stream also took place. After 34 years of dedicated service, D. Dkhar took over as the Principal. She drove the institution to greater heights with her commitment and diligence in the construction of three new buildings, even the infrastructure was extended to its peak.

To accommodate the ever-increasing student strength, the college started expanding its infrastructure and at present, the college stands fortified on a four-story concrete building which shelters the classrooms, science laboratories, staff room, common room, conference room along with Departmental rooms, a smart classroom, and libraries.

The college offers a course on the preparation and marketing of Indigenous food and products and learning German language.

The College also offers courses for the Higher Secondary Section of the college, under the Meghalaya Board of School Education, which was bifurcated, and a School Managing Committee running this section was constituted. The Higher Secondary section offers two courses- the Science and Arts Streams and two shifts- Morning and Day Shift.

An institution with a handful of students today shelters more than 1,100 students with an ever-improving infrastructure, and an impeccable vision of driving the students “from darkness to light.”