Editor,
This is in response to the article captioned, “Rural School dropouts. What happens to them? Is there a way out?” by Toki Blah (ST Monday November 16, 2025).
Among the data highlights in the Meghalaya State Education Report is the secondary level of 40% or 22,000 rural school dropouts . Has anyone in the Government really given a thought to these 22,000 kids? By now the Government should have come out with the myriad socio-economic reasons ranging from the financial to the sociological for such dropouts and how to deal with them, some of which could turn out to be an attractive lot for drug traffickers .
Toki Blah has insightfully pointed to the publication by the Directorate of Education Research & Training (DERT) which is under the Government of Meghalaya itself. The publication is titled “ Training module on entrepreneurship and soft skills – Unlocking entrepreneurial potential.” The module is on how students in rural areas beginning at the secondary level could be identified for such potentials, supported by a revived co-operative movement. If only officials in the departments of Education , Community & Rural Development, Agriculture , Health etc., stopped working in silos and started pooling their heads together by going through the DERT publication, we can expect some synergy. And of course the Government to fix the infrastructural pillar of uninterrupted energy and power supply! Even agricultural and livestock activities also need electricity for lighting besides using it for motors and pumps for water supply etc .
Further on the myriad socio – economic reasons of school dropouts being the deep rooted cycle of rural poverty is what I witnessed with my own eyes. Two years ago the person who is the caretaker of my farm and who also cultivates for himself in the same farm, surrendered his entire tomato crop to me, before it could all rot and told me to even feed the pigs with them. The reason being that the price offered by the middle man didn’t even meet the transport cost. And there was no co-operative organization to champion the cause on his behalf. He fathered nine children and became a grandfather at 38 from the eldest daughter who had dropped out because of teenage pregnancy. Three of the other daughters have already dropped out of school . One of them had stayed with my family and was sent to school. She dropped out of school because she failed in most of the subjects. I had tried to tutor her but it was beyond me because she pitifully didn’t have any foundation at all and had been promoted in her earlier classes because of the rule of not holding back any students up to Class 8. I’m sure there must be hundreds of stories like mine .
Perhaps the Government should think of a Commission to study rural poverty in Meghalaya and thus capture an accurate picture from the ground up before coming up with a report suggesting immediate and long term interventions to alleviate poverty. The reasons could be landlessness, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and livestock, quality of rural schools, wellness and health which impact on teenage pregnancy, sociological reasons like responsibility of men towards their families, religious beliefs that hinder progress, opportunities in rural tourism, opportunities in agri-industrialization value supply chain etc., The Commission should start by first building a digital file on every poor rural family which enjoys the BPL and MNREGA schemes.
Yours etc.,
Rudi Warjri,
Via email
Importance of revisiting cultural traditions
Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation for the deeply moving and intellectually powerful article by Bhogtoram Mawroh (ST November 18, 2025). His writing does more than educate – it stirs our conscience. He rightly reminds us that identity, ancestry, and cultural memory are not just traditions, but the living soul of a community.
His clear and courageous explanation of Ri Kur, Ri Raid, Tip Kur Tip Kha, and the matrilineal foundation of Khasi society comes at a time when confusion and misinterpretation are quietly weakening cultural roots. His article, I must say, shines as a guiding light, calling us back to wisdom, dignity, and the truth of our origins.
What moved me deeply was his reminder that when a community forgets its lineage and land systems, it risks becoming directionless and divided. But when culture is honoured, society grows stronger, more confident, and more united. His message is inspiring not only for the Khasi people but for every indigenous community, including ours, urging us to reflect on our own foundations.
I sincerely thank Bhogtoram Mawroh for this timely, honest, and beautifully written article. It truly deserves to be read and reflected upon by all.
Yours etc.,
Jairaj,
Via email
Plight of overworked nurses in Garo Hills
Editor,
As a registered nurse and research scholar working closely with nurses in Garo Hills, I have witnessed firsthand the silent suffering of my colleagues, the tireless caregivers who continuously give so much of themselves. Burnout here is not merely a concept found in textbooks; it is a daily reality that not only drains nurses’ spirits and jeopardizes the quality of care that our communities urgently need. Emotional exhaustion, mental fatigue, and chronic stress impair nurses’ ability to provide attentive and safe care, increasing the risk of errors and lowering patient satisfaction.
Nurses in this beautiful but resource-limited region face overwhelming patient loads, inadequate infrastructure, and chronic staff shortages that fall below INC norms. These challenges reflect deeper systemic neglect within the healthcare system. Their emotional strain and physical fatigue are further intensified by geographic isolation and limited support systems. I see many struggling to hold on as pressures steadily push them toward the breaking point.
This issue is not just about numbers or statistics; it is about human beings, dedicated nurses whose well-being is being compromised by unmanageable workloads and constant challenges. It is painful to see some contemplate leaving the profession, a loss that would make an already vulnerable healthcare system even more fragile.
We cannot afford to overlook their plight any longer. Immediate steps must be taken to improve working conditions, address staffing gaps, strengthen mental health support, and acknowledge the essential role nurses play. These professionals deserve not only our gratitude but a meaningful and tangible change.
I write this with the hope that shedding light on this crisis will spark the attention and action my fellow nurses desperately need in Garo Hills.
Yours etc.,
Khusi Sangma,
Tura
