Editor,
I wish to bring to your kind attention some pressing concerns regarding the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 at St. Anthony’s College, Shillong. While the NEP promises revolutionary changes in India’s education system by promoting multidisciplinary learning, skill development, and a flexible curriculum, the ground reality at many institutions, including St. Anthony’s College reveals several challenges. One major issue is the acute shortage of qualified teachers required to successfully implement the new policy framework.
The NEP demands a broader range of subjects, vocational courses, and interdisciplinary teaching. However, without the recruitment of sufficient specialized and trained faculty members, the burden falls heavily on the existing staff. This not only compromises the quality of education but also dilutes the very spirit of the NEP. Students are left with limited course options, overburdened teachers struggle to deliver content effectively, and the overall educational experience suffers.
Moreover, the lack of faculty for new and emerging fields means that students may not receive the guidance and mentorship the NEP envisions. If not addressed urgently, this gap may lead to increased dissatisfaction among students and undermine the college’s reputation for academic excellence.
I sincerely urge the concerned authorities and the college administration to prioritize the hiring of adequate qualified teachers before fully implementing the NEP structure. Without the necessary human resources, even the most visionary policies can falter.
Yours etc.,
Siddhartha Nandan,
Via email
Indian cinema has the tools, but not the courage
Editor,
As someone deeply passionate about cinema, I often reflect on the widening gap between India’s filmmaking potential and the courage to explore truth through storytelling. Globally, cinema has long been a mirror to the human condition—not always flattering, but always honest. In films like The Seventh Seal and Cries and Whispers, Ingmar Bergman explored death, despair, and silence with painful intimacy. With Zodiac and Se7en, David Fincher crafted stories not for comfort but for confrontation, where morality blurs and obsession consumes. Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon and Ikiru dealt with justice, memory, and the search for meaning, using cinema as a philosophical inquiry. These films disturbed, yes—but they also transformed.
In India, we too have directors who dare—Anurag Kashyap, Vetrimaaran, Sudhir Mishra, and Guru Dutt in his time. But when they touch societal wounds—caste, corruption, or blind faith—they’re met with bans, outrage, or worse, silence. The moment a film dares to ask “why?” It is branded anti-something. Yet what is cinema if not the most empathetic way of asking uncomfortable questions?
We have the technology, the platforms, audience—our mainstream system rewards safety. We prefer spectacle over soul. We avoid narratives that may unsettle, challenge, or offend—even when they’re needed most.
India is a country of poetry and paradox. Why should our films only show the poetry, and never the paradox? Cinema should not be limited to escapism. It must also be allowed to dive into the shadows of our reality—into what we hide, ignore, or fear. Until we do that, Indian cinema will remain visually ambitious but emotionally shallow.
Let our filmmakers be free. Let our stories reflect who we are—not just who we pretend to be.
Yours etc.,
Akhil Dwivedi,
Via email
Keeping Meghalaya clean: A shared responsibility
Editor,
Meghalaya’s breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage make it a paradise for tourists and locals alike. However, the state’s growing popularity and rapid urbanization have become a cause of great concern in terms of maintaining cleanliness and proper waste disposal.
As a local from Shillong, I believe it’s our collective duty to maintain cleanliness and proper waste disposal beginning with our streets, and rivers. We should take initiatives and be an example to non-residents and tourists coming to Meghalaya. We applaud Asia’s Cleanest Village, Mawlynnong but what about the rest of the city and towns? Article 51-A (g), says, “It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures.”
Take the example of Sikkim Administration; Sikkim mandates tourist vehicles to carry garbage bags. They have strict rules that prohibit smoking and littering in public places. Anyone found disobeying the rules is fined. The locals there are well educated on proper waste management and they have adopted cleanliness while also safeguarding the environment from reckless tourist behaviour.
Tourism is significantly boosting the state economy , generating employment and supporting local communities. However, there are pros and cons as well. I was in Lyngksiar falls with my friends , serenading the beauty of the fall when we saw some tourists smoking and drinking beside the waterfall . After they were done, they threw the cigarette buds and beer bottles right there. I stopped them, showed them the bamboo basket ahead where they could dump their garbage. When I asked the locals in Sohra about their experiences with tourists littering every space, some shared that they were hesitant to step in and intervene. They expressed concerns about being perceived as rude or confrontational, especially when dealing with visitors from outside the state.
In the locality where I come from in Shillong, the Dorbar Shnong convenes a meeting where it is mandatory for all residents to attend once or twice a year. It is in this Dorbar meeting this year, (2025), that we heard some good news that people are coming forward to safeguard the environment. So, if anyone sees a particular person littering even after being warned, such persons are taken to the Rangbah Shnong. It helps to have proof in the form of a picture. The Shnong will then take action and the litterer has to pay a heavy fine. I believe if all Dorbar Shnong in Meghalaya from the city to the small towns and villages educate their residents well on maintaining cleanliness, avoiding polluting rivers, streets ,roads , markets and if whoever disobeys is strictly punished or fined then and only then will change happen.
Hence if you are a local and a litterbug , stop it right now and be a responsible citizen to keep Meghalaya clean and green. We locals should be an example to tourists and outsiders by working together, to preserve the state’s natural beauty and promote a healthy environment for future generations.
Yours etc.,
Banteihun Mary Lyngdoh Mawphlang,
Via email
Tourism and its impact on local communities
Editor,
Through the columns of your esteemed newspaper, I would like to draw attention to an increasingly significant issue—the growing impact of tourism on local communities in Meghalaya.
While tourism has undoubtedly brought economic benefits and wider recognition to our state, it has also led to unintended consequences that deserve urgent attention. Many popular destinations such as Dawki, Sohra, and Laitlum are facing overcrowding thereby putting a strain on natural resources, apart from rising waste pollution. The very beauty that attracts visitors is now under threat due to unregulated tourism activities and inadequate infrastructure to manage the influx.
Moreover, the social fabric of some local communities is being disturbed. Traditional lifestyles are being commercialized, and cultural values diluted to cater to tourists’ expectations. While some residents benefit financially, others feel left out or overwhelmed by rapid changes.
It is essential that the government, local bodies, and community leaders come together to promote sustainable tourism—one that respects local traditions, protects the environment, and ensures equitable benefits. Initiatives like community-based tourism, stricter regulations on waste management, and limiting the carrying capacity of sensitive areas must be prioritized.
Tourism should be a means of growth, not exploitation. Let us act before the damage becomes irreversible.
Yours etc.,
Anurag Paul
Shillong