By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 25: KHADC Chief Executive Member, Pyniaid Sing Syiem on Monday said the council has earmarked Rs 50 lakh for research in 20 areas pertaining to the tradition, culture, customs, and practices of the Khasi community.
Replying to a cut motion moved by Martle N. Mukhim, the HSPDP Member of the District Council, Syiem said the council has notified the Research and Development Committee under the council’s Education Department headed by Executive Member Carness Sohshang.
The other members of the committee include Jasmine Lyngdoh, Plielad Nongsiej, D.R.L. Nonglait, Faithfulness Marngar, Belinda Marwein, and Barika Khyriem.
Syiem further said Rs 20 lakh has been allocated for major research while Rs 15 lakh has been earmarked for minor research. Rs 5 lakh each has been earmarked for books and miscellaneous expenses, he added.
He also said Rs 2 lakh has been earmarked for the TA/DA and sitting allowances of the members.
“We have also earmarked Rs 2.5 lakh for secretarial/execution and examiner’s fees and another Rs 5 lakh for miscellaneous expenses,” he said.
According to him, the selected scholars will have to complete their work by March 31, 2024.
“We want to promote research on tradition and culture of the Khasi indigenous society by youths or research scholars deprived of funding or scholarships from other sources,” Syiem said.
The lack of quality research papers and books is one of the main problems faced by many research scholars, he said.
The KHADC chief said the council’s Education Department will undertake the challenge to promote research culture among scholars and academicians to enrich the tangible resources in the form of books or research papers.
He stressed the need for introducing a research and development cell in view of the education system changing from the existing to the New Education Policy 2020. The educational institutions would be given an opportunity to develop such a cell for improving the quality of education, he said.
Apart from the lack of research in traditional institutions, Syiem said studies related to indigenous societies do not get funding from other departments or agencies.
He also said the KHADC plans to fund postgraduate students, research scholars, and teachers to study the social, political, and traditional aspects of the Khasis.
The 20 areas of research are religion and rituals, marriage, dialect/varieties of languages, origin of clan and Khasi lineage, culture, administration of traditional heads, degradation of value system in the present Khasi society, superstitions, land-holding system, traditional/seasonal market, traditional musical instruments, historical places and monolith, handicraft, inheritance, food and drink, traditional medicine/traditional practitioner, and the life and contribution of the late Rev J.J. Nichols Roy.