150 years of Gorkha Pathsala
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 11: The sesquicentennial celebration of Gorkha Pathsala — one of Shillong’s oldest educational institutions became a moment of both pride and purpose as speakers paid rich tributes to its founders while outlining a roadmap for its future.
Governor C.H. Vijayashankar, who attended the event as the chief guest, called on the school management to expand its academic offerings by introducing technical and skill-based programmes, including para-medical and diploma courses. He said such courses would help equip the younger generation to become self-reliant and capable of supporting their families.
The governor assured full cooperation from his office and the union government in taking forward any proposal that could strengthen the institution’s growth, affirming that natural justice would be extended to an institution that has stood firm on the foundation of service and integrity.
Reflecting on its 150-year journey, the governor praised Gorkha Pathsala for remaining a service-oriented institution despite changing times. He said that while many educational institutions have become commercialised,
Gorkha Pathsala continues to uphold its founding ideals.
He lauded the visionaries who, in 1876, donated land and resources to start a one-teacher school that now stands as a landmark in Shillong’s educational history.
The governor said the founders had fulfilled one of the four essential needs of human life — education — alongside food, shelter, and health. He also described Meghalaya as one of the most peaceful and self-respecting states in the country, noting that it is virtually ‘beggarless’ and blessed with a strong sense of dignity among its people.
Vijayashankar added that while tourism is a natural gift, education could become Meghalaya’s greatest contribution to the nation, urging that Shillong be recognised as the educational hub of the Northeast.
He quoted the late Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, saying that learning inspires creativity, creativity leads to thinking, thinking yields knowledge, and knowledge makes one great. Recalling a former dropout student who found a second chance at Gorkha Pathsala and went on to excel, the governor said the institution’s compassion and human touch remain its greatest strength.
Earlier, Secretary of the school, Santa Ram Joshi, presented a detailed history of Gorkha Pathsala, tracing its humble beginnings on October 1, 1876, as a ‘library school’ for army personnel and attendants of British officers. He recounted its steady evolution — from a Middle English Unit in 1928 to an Upper Primary School, then a High School in 1969, a Higher Secondary Science section in 1997, and the Commerce stream in 2009. Joshi paid tribute to the founders for their selfless contribution and urged the government to grant the school linguistic minority status to preserve its distinct identity.
Adviser to the Government and MLA Paul Lyngdoh, reminded the audience that Gorkha Pathsala was established just two years after Shillong became the capital of undivided Assam. He said this remarkable fact should fill students and alumni with pride. He reflected that institutions like Gorkha Pathsala carry the wisdom of generations and continue to shape the city’s identity as a cradle of learning.
Lyngdoh observed that the school represents the meeting point of four generations — a continuity that embodies the relay of education through time. He urged students to view education not merely as information but as illumination, saying that the purpose of learning is to light lamps in young minds. He commended the organisers for beginning the celebration by lighting a ceremonial lamp, saying it symbolised hope and action at a time when people often choose to curse the darkness instead.
The MLA announced a contribution of ₹15 lakh towards the celebration, saying that though he could not match the milestone number in rupees, his gesture reflected the government’s support and admiration. He urged that Shillong must reclaim its pride as the educational heart of the region and restore its legacy as a “temple of learning.”
In his remarks, D.B. Gurung, a member of the school community, recalled that Gorkha Pathsala was once known as the ‘library school,’ a place where education was first made accessible to army personnel and attendants serving under British officers. He highlighted how the institution, founded by visionary forefathers, continues to uphold their ideals and serve as a beacon of education in the city.
As the 150th anniversary celebration drew to a close, students, alumni, and dignitaries joined hands in honouring the founders who had kindled a light that still burns bright. From a one-teacher classroom to a full-fledged higher secondary institution, Gorkha Pathsala’s story stood as a testament to resilience, community, and the enduring spirit of education in Shillong.
