SHILLONG, Feb 27: Elections and expectations of betterment go hand in hand and it is with this expectation, youth of the state, many of them first-time voters, are eagerly anticipating a better future for Meghalaya post hustings.
These days, conversations in tea stalls, taxi stands, markets or even social media platforms hover around one significant word — expectations – be it from the candidates, political parties or the new government.
To give voice to the general talks of the citizens and highlight their sentiments and expectations, The Shillong Times went around town to find out what the youth was expecting after March 2.
Ambor Lyngkhoi, a first time voter from Nongstoin who works in an eatery in Shillong, said he wants his future MLA to work hard and bring development and employment opportunities for a better future for him and many others like him.
Arjun Singh, a first time voter from Harijan Colony under North Shillong, lamented that there was no playground for them and no regular water supply in their locality. “I have passed Class XII but I am unable to land a job,” he said, adding that he wanted Meghalaya to develop like Assam.
“I am happy the way things are but I feel there is a need for more development. A lot of dropouts are there and creation of more job opportunities is what I expect from whosoever forms the government,” said first-time voter, Edilbert Sylliang from Mawkhar.
Another first time voter, Susana Kharbuli said, “I am looking for a change. We need more development and whoever comes needs to work for the youth”.
Echoing similar sentiments, another first time voter, Jasmine Kharbhih said, “We need more industries and more employment. As of now there are not many opportunities for the youth”.
Nazareen Kharbhih said she is expecting better healthcare facilities and impactful improvement in the educational sector.
Meanwhile, another youth from Mawlai, Mankupar Mawrie said, “I am not interested in politics”.
A young doctor, Pynthymme Dkhar said, “I want things to change for better but it would be the same bunch of politicians in different jerseys who will again go and bow down to the pressure from the Centre.”
A Class X student and first-time voter, Gareth Aiban Thabah said he wanted his new MLA to help those who are in need of help.
“I don’t follow politics much. But I am excited to be voting for the first time,” Thabah, who is a resident of Langkyrding Mihngi, said.
He however said that his expectation from the new government is creation of more job opportunities and avenues for the youth.
According to him, he is too young to have any high expectation from the new government.
A second semester BA English (Honours) student of St. Edmund’s College, Wansukshisha Nongspung, said the state needs statesmen who will be able to formulate policies and programme for the good of the state.
“It is really sad there is a dearth of statesmen in mainstream politics today. I hope people will exercise their mind before casting their votes so that they elect the right people to represent them,” Nongspung who is a resident of Lumshyiap Pdengshnong said.
According to her, as the youth, they expect that the government will come up with new initiatives and job opportunities for the youth which help to address the unemployment problem.
“I am excited to be casting my vote for the very first time. It is an honour to be part of an electoral process,” she said.
Syndai Mary Dkhar, a student of Don Bosco Technical School, said that she does not have any expectations as she is not interested in politics.
“I will definitely go to cast my votes. I am thinking of casting my votes for NOTA,” Dkhar, a resident of Laban, said.
She hopes that the new government will do something to address the unemployment problem among the youth.
Julian Thabah, who hails from North Shillong, was happy that most of the candidates in his constituency had entered politics after ending their professional careers on a high. “In our constituency, there is already development, we don’t need much development but we need change in governance and we hope, the elected MLA will do their job.”
Asked about what should be the priority of the upcoming government, Thabah said the new government should try and provide earning opportunities for the youth besides increasing investment in the state since Meghalaya is facing a mountain of dues.
Sruti Choudhury from Rilbong said that she wants better and improved roads in her areas while hoping that the new government would fix the traffic woes in Shillong and improve the public mode of transportation in the capital as well as in rural areas.
David Marbaniang from Nongthymmai said their new MLAs should live upto their expectations and fulfil whatever they promise before polls. “The government should focus more on rural development and provide more livelihood opportunities in the rural areas.”
Reynold Shangpliang, too, lamented that youths are facing huge challenges in terms of unemployment. The new government should provide jobs or at least skill development training to the youth.
Anna Wera A Momin, a resident of Williamnagar, said over the phone that the elected representatives and the new government should focus on development.
She said the roads in many parts of Garo Hills are no good while the region also needs better and improved higher education facilities. “Even NEHU does not have many departments and it also lacks faculties,” she said.
