Editor,
The Meghalaya government loves to speak of a tourism boom with glossy ads, glowing promises, and endless talk of turning the state into a traveller’s paradise. Perhaps, before selling the dream, someone should take the road to Sohra, especially near Mawpynthih village area. It is no longer a road, it is a collection of potholes auditioning for a lunar landscape. Cars sway like a game of tetris, tyres groan, and passengers hold their breath as if that alone might keep the vehicle intact.
And if that is not enough of an adventure, the road to Sohbar waits patiently, another rough patch that could humble even the best suspension systems especially if it rains. The temporary fixes with mud and stones washes away with the first rainfall just like coal. Chalta hai bro, haina? If we don’t complain then chalta hai, if we complain then we will be targeted and singled out.
We mango people watch all this with weary disappointment, the grand speeches, the ribbon cuttings, the selfies beside slogans. We do not ask for much, only roads that do not resemble obstacle courses.
Someday, perhaps, some of these words will traverse the high white walls and reach the offices of decision makers. We still hope for basic infrastructure, and that someday our roads will finally match the beauty they lead to. Are you listening?
Your’s etc.,
Shivani Pde,
Via email
Integrating entrepreneurship training with academics
Editor,
Apropos of the news “CM launches ProBites, highlights state’s economic vision, youth entrepreneurship.” (ST 18, October 2025)is quite ground breaking event. The Chief Minister launched a student-led brand offering healthy, probiotic based snacks, during the ‘Future Founders’ Felicitation and ProBites Pilot Launch.’ The product developed under the St. Anthony’s College for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Incubation which aims to promote wellness and integrate scientific research with entrepreneurship is timely. SACCEII has to be commended for this great work. The Chief Minister correctly emphasised the importance of embedding entrepreneurship within educational institutions to cultivate a culture of creativity and self-reliance. Embedding entrepreneurship within educational institutions isn’t just a curricular upgrade—it’s a strategic shift in how we prepare future citizens to navigate uncertainty, build resilience, and co-create value.
Why it’s both ‘important’ and ‘useful’ is because such activity brings about cognitive and behavioural shifts where students learn to identify gaps, prototype solutions and iterate skills essential for dynamic economies and civic innovation. Entrepreneurship education encourages experimentation, failure as feedback and adaptive thinking. Learners begin to see themselves as changemakers, not just job seekers.
The economic and institutional benefits of such an innovation and incubation stimulate local innovation ecosystems where Universities become hubs for startups, social enterprise and community-based ventures. Such activities reduce employment dependency as graduates are equipped to create jobs, not just apply for them which is especially vital in regions with youth unemployment. It also bridges academia-industry gaps as entrepreneurial programs often involve real world mentors, incubators and cross-sector collaboration. The societal and civic impact of such a program is that it promotes inclusive development because entrepreneurship can empower marginalised groups, especially when embedded with social and ethical lenses. It strengthens civic sense and resilience as students learn to navigate ambiguity, build trust networks, and engage in participatory problem-solving.
The program also aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and local governance. This entrepreneurial education can be tailored to address sustainability, health equity and symbolic capital restoration. It is heartening to learn from the statement of the Executive Director Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) that PRIME has incubated around 300 startups and funded Rs 38 crore to entrepreneurs, in addition to Rs 146 crore sanctioned under Chief Minister-led initiatives. Equally important is the expansion of Self-Help Groups (SHG) from 5800 to 51,000, registering a growth rate of 111% per annum in 7 years. This group is very important for the economic productivity of women. Given that the economy is today at $6.6 billion and growing at 10% per annum and if the momentum of 10 percent growth not only continues but shoots up further it is certain that Meghalaya’s economy which is presently the second fastest growing economy in the country after Tamil Nadu is capable of touching $10 billion by 2028.
Yours etc;
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email
Inculcating the reading habit
Editor,
This refers to your report “Workshop Stresses Reading as Key to Social and Economic Empowerment” published on October 19, 2025. The initiative of the Directorate of Arts and Culture, Meghalaya, to organise a one-day workshop on “Habit of Reading as a Tool for Social Development and Economic Upliftment” is both timely and commendable.
In an age when young minds are more often drawn to glowing screens than to printed pages, this reminder of the quiet joy of reading feels refreshingly relevant. Reading not only informs but transforms — it refines thought, nurtures imagination, and builds character. Books and newspapers, in particular, as we know, serve as daily companions of growth, shaping students into aware, confident, and responsible citizens.
The habit of newspaper reading deserves special mention. For students, it is like attending an ever-evolving classroom — one that connects lessons from textbooks with the pulse of the real world. Regular newspaper reading sharpens awareness, strengthens language and vocabulary, and prepares students for competitive examinations and career challenges by keeping them informed of national and global affairs. As someone once said, “Those who grow up reading the newspaper grow up ready for the world.”
The points raised by Minister Sanbor Shullai, highlighting reading as a habit that broadens perspectives and sharpens intellect, were truly inspiring. Equally insightful was Prof. Shalini Lihitkar’s observation that reading contributes to both social and economic growth — a truth that must be re-emphasized in our education system.
Libraries, too, should no longer be seen as quiet rooms lined with books, but as living classrooms of community learning — places where knowledge meets curiosity and generations meet understanding.
May this thoughtful initiative not remain a one-day event but grow into a continuous movement that reaches every school, college, and neighbourhood in our state. Encouraging both book and newspaper reading from an early age will not only enrich minds but also empower futures. For when a child learns to read meaningfully, a society learns to think wisely.
Yours etc.,
Jairaj,
Via email
