Editor,
It would be a delight to have someone like Pradip Kurbah, the torch-bearer of our film scene in Meghalaya be nominated for the Padma Awards 2026. This letter would have been supported by an array of evidence but Pradip’s history is not alien to any of us. Pradip has been one of Meghalaya’s torchbearers, bringing the stories and identity of the state to national and international platforms. The accolades he has earned for his art of film making has increased the visibility of Meghalaya’s cinema everywhere. He has earned National Awards for Iewduh, Ri-Homeland of Uncertainty and Onaatah over the past few years and well, there’s a possibility that his upcoming film Ha Lyngkha Bneng / The Elysian Fields would bag the national awards too. I recommend that his name be nominated for the award because of his humble beginnings and his accomplishments. Several interviews that are available online suggest that Pradip has never had a formal education in film-making while his craft proved otherwise. His expertise in screenplay and direction is the fruit of his consistency and his vision. He substantiates to the world that what you learn in the four walls of a formal setup is nothing compared to what you learn through practical experiences. If he even gets nominated for the award, a wave of inspiration will hover in the air of the film scene in Meghalaya, and this will greatly inspire many youth of the state. I can’t think of anyone else but Pradip Kurbah to be nominated from the state for Padma Awards 2026 under the Arts category.
Yours etc.,
Emidao Shylla
Via email
Nongkhyllem Forest and Ecotourism
Editor,
Apropos of the recent letters of Mr Khlur Basan, Janet Hujon and Toki Blah, I write to state that I fully endorse their views which oppose the setting up of a recreational place for tourists in the middle of Nongkhyllem Reserve Forest. The very name ‘Reserve’ should indicate that the area is not to be tampered with in any way. Dumping concrete and erecting buildings in the middle of a pristine forest cannot be called Ecotourism. Do the residents of the forest not have the right to be left in peace? Who are we humans to invade their piece of haven? I ask a question of those who endorse the project – “if tomorrow the Tourism Department starts erecting tents in your compound as part of Ecotourism and without your permission, would you allow them to do so?” So, what gives us the right to treat the animals and the forest with such contempt and in such a shoddy manner?
I do hope those responsible for pushing this project will come to their senses because, as God is in heaven , our own destruction will follow the ruining of wildlife and pristine forests.
Yours etc.,
D M Pariat,
Shillong
Alarming decline in educational quality in Shillong: Call for urgent intervention
Editor,
With the onset of the admissions to undergraduate classes in Shillong, unscrupulous competition arises among institutes vying for students, prioritizing profit over quality. This alarming trend threatens Meghalaya’s education system, calling for urgent intervention to prevent irreparable damage. Unchecked commercialization risks eroding the state’s academic foundation. Once Northeast India’s education hub, Shillong’s prestige fades as institutes chase revenue over excellence. Despite engaging so much in superficial talk on quality education, many institutes have diluted standards for financial gain, setting a dangerous precedent. This erosion undermines the city’s legacy, necessitating immediate action. The Meghalaya Department of Higher and Technical Education Department, and the state’s lone affiliating university must take bold steps to restore integrity and uphold academic standards.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 expands syllabi and courses, increasing pressure on institutes. Yet, the so-called prominent colleges exploit brand names, enrolling excessive students, running more than two shifts a day, and cramming over 200 students into a classroom. Such overcrowding stifles effective teaching and learning, as personalized attention becomes impossible. These highly government funded institutes, driven by greed, prioritize maximum business over education, threatening the existence of smaller but credible colleges. These lesser-known institutes, with qualified faculty meeting UGC norms and adequate infrastructure, struggle to compete against celebrated names, thereby risking their survival. Prestigious names dazzle students and parents with promises of excellence, but quality education requires care, integrity, and adherence to standards, not mere reputation.
Blind trust in brands allows institutes to exploit students, neglecting academic rigor. This commercial pursuit undermines Meghalaya’s educational foundation, as profit overshadows knowledge. To avert the disaster, stakeholders must enforce strict regulations ensuring all institutes maintain quality. This involves capping student numbers per class to prevent overcrowding, auditing infrastructure and faculty qualifications, supporting smaller institutes if they are genuine, to preserve diversity, and aligning with NEP-2020’s vision without sacrificing standards. We must save education from becoming a jungle where predatory institutes, like carnivorous beasts, hunt profit with unchecked ferocity, preying on trust. Without intervention from the competent authorities, profit-driven institutes will extinguish genuine colleges and collapse educational standards, leaving a hollow system. Shillong’s educational legacy demands collective action. Stakeholders, policymakers, and citizens must prioritize integrity over profit. True excellence lies in fostering an environments where learning thrives, not in dazzling names or wealth. Act now to safeguard Meghalaya’s educational future by upholding quality, equity, and opportunity for all students
Yours etc.,
Dr B Blessing Ryntathiang,
Via email
Shillong’s poor drainage system
Editor,
I would like to draw the attention of the concerned authorities and the general public the persistent and troubling issue of Shillong’s inadequate drainage system. Every monsoon, the same story repeats itself. We have flooded roads, traffic comes to a standstill, and homes too are flooded. Even a moderate downpour leads to waterlogging in various parts of the city such as Laban, Lumdiengjri, and Polo.
The drains, either clogged with plastic waste or structurally outdated, fail to channel rainwater effectively, while some parts of Shillong even the Smart City system of drainage turned out disastrous.
This situation reflects a lack of proper planning and maintenance. Despite repeated complaints from residents, there has been little visible effort to modernize the city’s drainage infrastructure or to ensure regular cleaning and inspection. The health hazards posed by stagnant water, along with damage to public and private property, demand immediate attention.
I appeal to the Shillong Municipal Board and Urban Development Authorities to act promptly. Upgrading the drainage system, enforcing anti-encroachment laws, and launching awareness campaigns about proper waste disposal can go a long way in addressing this issue.
Yours etc.,
Damemanbha Wanswett
Shillong