Editor,
The news that the Government of Meghalaya is planning to shift the affiliation of all colleges in Meghalaya from a Central University which has been running for the past 50 years to a State University which is yet to see the light of day became a topic of discussion and a real surprise to me. We all know that the North-Eastern Hill University is well oiled and has the manpower to run the different Schools and the Departments within the Schools. The question is whether the State University has all the Schools and the Departments manned by qualified educationists. Is it so easy to transfer all the courses run in different colleges from a Central University to a State University?
Getting recognition from the UGC is not sufficient, there is a need to have a proper administrative set up to cater to the needs of the students. If proper thought and time is given the opening of a State University will provide employment to the educated qualified youth but that itself is a lengthy process. In Meghalaya not all colleges are fully funded by the Government and hence a proper consultation and discussion is required with all the stakeholders. Just because the Government wants to solve the problems facing the students with CUET it cannot take a hasty decision of making a State University functional; rather it should have proper consultations to upgrade different technological facilities in all districts, especially internet connectivity which is so important for us today. Keep in mind that haste makes waste hence, for the secure future of the youth of the State proper thought must be given and avoid at all cost the idea of looking for service providers, otherwise, the future of our youth is doomed.
Yours etc.,
Dr Sylvanus Lamare
Shillong
Who wants to abolish the ST status?
Editor
Apropos of the article by Fabian Lyngdoh captioned, “Religion and Khasi Tribal Identity”, (ST May 30, 2024), in where he wrote about the identity (tribal identity) which is embraced by the Khasi people who practise different religions which is well and good. But I am surprised to know from him about the “Scheduled Tribe” status and that there are forces that want to delete that status from the Khasi people who had embraced the Christianity and Islam. I had not come across that plan or motive in newpapers and other media. Hence I would like to know who are those who want to abolish take away that Scheduled Tribe status from the Khasi Christians and Khasi Muslims. On the contrary what I have been hearing over the media and reading in newspapers is that in some families children take the clan name of their father instead of their mother.
Yours etc.
Wallambiang Rani
Upper Shillong
Malki in Darkness
Editor,
Residents of Malki, Shillong-1 are grappling with prolonged and frequent power outages, making it one of the few localities in Shillong suffering from such disruptions. In stark contrast, neighbouring areas like Laitumkhrah, Police Bazar, Nongthymmai and even far off villages that can be seen from Malki such as Shilliang Um in the west of Shillong, Mawpat in the East enjoy uninterrupted power supply, leaving Malki residents frustrated and seeking answers.
The power cuts in Malki Shillong-1 have become a daily ordeal, affecting households, businesses, and students preparing for exams. Despite numerous complaints to the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL) and local representatives, the situation remains unchanged. Many residents report losing electricity for several hours each day, causing significant inconvenience and disruption. “Every evening, we sit in darkness while our neighbours just a few streets away have all their lights on,” said a frustrated resident. “We have raised this issue multiple times, but it seems to fall on deaf ears.”
The disparity in power supply has led to speculation among residents that their locality is being neglected. Some suggest that Malki Shillong-1 is being deliberately overlooked due to political reasons, as none of the elected representatives have shown any interest in addressing the problem. Adding insult to injury, the local authorities and representatives appear to be preoccupied with election preparations, seemingly ignoring the basic needs of their constituents. “It seems our representatives are more interested in securing their seats for the next term rather than ensuring we have power in our homes. Perhaps they think their campaign promises will be more effective if we can’t see the darkness they’ve left us in,” quipped another resident.
Local businesses are also feeling the pinch, with many relying on costly generators to keep operations running. “The power cuts are killing our business. We are losing customers and money every day,” said a proprietor who runs a small internet café in the area, adding that the noise and fumes from generators are unbearable, and it’s costing them a fortune to keep them fuelled.
Educational institutions in the area are also struggling. Teachers report that power cuts disrupt classes and make it difficult to use electronic teaching aids. Students, particularly those preparing for board exams, are finding it hard to study without consistent electricity. They question how they can compete with students from other areas when they can’t even study properly?
While MePDCL has attributed the outages to maintenance issues and load shedding, residents argue that these excuses do not explain why neighbouring localities are unaffected. They demand a thorough investigation and immediate action to resolve the issue. Despite the growing frustration and mounting pressure, the response from local representatives has been lacklustre. Their public statements have largely been limited to vague assurances of looking into the matter, with no concrete actions taken. This inaction has only fuelled the residents’ determination to fight for their rights. As the lights continue to flicker in Malki Shillong -1, the residents hope that their collective voice will compel the authorities to act. Until then, they remain in the dark, both literally and figuratively, while their representatives campaign for their future at the expense of their present.
Yours etc.,
Maven Nongrum
Shillong -1