Editor,
Our children are the future of our country and of our state. Yet, on observing the behaviour of many young people today, one is compelled to ask—are we truly satisfied with the way things are shaping up?
A small mistake, when pointed out, often results in an angry outburst. Many children react impulsively, committing acts they may later regret. Parents, on the other hand, live in constant fear—afraid that disciplining their children too strictly might provoke extreme anger or rebellion.
A walk through the streets of Shillong presents a worrying picture. School-going children, still in uniform, daringly lighting a cigarette in public. They sit in cafés with friends, sipping cappuccinos and smoking as though it were fashionable. And this is not limited to boys alone. Parents must also be vigilant about their daughters, many of whom casually take a puff or two without any sense of concern.
There are several hangout spots where such behaviour is common—small restaurants and cafés such as those near Dhanketi or under Ilahui in Laitumkhrah. Are our daughters unaware that smoking increases the risk of infertility? Are we failing to sensitise our children about the dignity and responsibility that comes with wearing a school uniform?
Are schools in Shillong—both rural and urban—imposing strict disciplinary measures on students who indulge in such shameful acts? Should such behaviour not warrant suspension or even expulsion?
Yes, we too experienced our teenage years, but we never indulged in such behaviour openly. We respected our elders and would have never dared to act this way in their presence.
Today, routine inspections—sometimes at home and in schools—have become a necessity. Children may be carrying lighters, matchboxes, cigarettes, cigars, condoms, or makeup kits. Let us intervene early, before they reach a far more dangerous stage—one where drugs become a part of their lives and there would be no turning back.
Yours etc., ,
Dr. B. Laitphlang,
Via email
Addressing school/college drop-out an imperative
Editor,
The editorial “Going beyond the GSDP Hype” (ST January 29, 2026) made interesting reading. Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) alone is misleading because it is like measuring the size of a pie without asking how many people share it. Per capita GSDP adds context and shows how big each slice is, but still does not tell us if slices are distributed fairly. I think there is a need for changing the method of GSDP as the best practices are to use GSDP for scale, per capita GSDP for prosperity and complement both with inequality and quality-of-life indicators for a true picture.
According to 2023‑24 SDG Index Meghalaya recorded one of the highest dropout rates in India at the secondary school level in 2023‑24, with an average of 21.7% for classes 9–10. Early reports for 2024‑25 suggest the crisis is continuing, prompting reforms such as reviving residential schools and expanding Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS). College dropout data is less systematically reported, but concerns remain about transition rates from secondary to higher education. As far as college dropouts are concerned there is limited official statistics as most reporting focuses on school-level dropouts. Higher secondary dropout rate reduces the pool of students entering college. The barriers are financial constraints, lack of local higher education institutions and migration for better opportunities. Hence the government may kindly consider expanding scholarships and vocational programs to reduce college attrition. Everyone knows that the causes of dropouts is because of economic hardship, geographical isolation, early marriage and child labour particularly affecting girls in rural areas, language barrier as institutions often instruct in English/Hindi while many students speak Khasi, Garo or their mother tongue.
Then there are teacher shortages and poor infrastructure. The Government policy response should be reviving residential schools, expanding Eklavya Model Residential Schools targeting tribal students. There should be a messaging, “Zero tolerance to dropout” from state leadership down to the village council and involve genuine NGOs in partnering to provide counselling, financial aid and awareness programs.
Meghalaya’s dropout crisis climbed from 17.5% in 2020 to 21.7% in 2023, the highest in India. All India overall dropout rate declined steadily from 12.3% in 2020 to 11.0% in 2025. Meghalaya consistently shows a 10-percentage point higher dropout rate than the national average. Early reforms (reviving residential schools, expanding EMRS) may reduce rates slightly, but the gap remains wide. The government, therefore, should focus on residential schools, scholarship and vocational paths and skill development to retain students.
Communities should address early marriage, child labour and language barriers that drive dropouts. Colleges should expand access and affordability to absorb more students once secondary retention improves. Meghalaya’s students face structural barriers—remote geography, economic hardship, and limited secondary institutions. High dropout rates at secondary level shrink the pool of college entrants, worsening transition to higher education. Without aggressive interventions, Meghalaya risks long-term skill deficits compared to the rest of the country.
The editorial rightly pointed out that “Meghalaya needs to buck up on data generation in key areas” as economic planning without data risks chasing GDP growth without improving per-capita welfare while social planning without data risks ignoring marginalized groups or failing to anticipate demographic shifts. Together, data ensures policies are targeted, fair and future-ready.
Yours etc;
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email
Shillong Takes the Stage
Editor,
Shillong’s emergence as a global music destination is no accident, it is the natural result of decades of passion, culture, and crowd energy. In recent years, world renowned artists have taken the stage in our city: Ed Sheeran drew over 30,000 fans to Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, underscoring Shillong’s capacity to host performances of global scale; Bryan Adams electrified crowds with his iconic hits; and superstars such as Akon, Jason Derulo, The Script, and the British pop group Blue have also performed here, bringing diverse international audiences to our hills and valleys.
Now, with Def Leppard and Scorpions set to headline major concerts , placing Shillong at the starting point of legendary global tours, the world is finally waking up to what we have always known, that Shillong is a cultural powerhouse.
Although this spotlight is not just an opportunity for celebration, it is a call to pave the way forward, to show the world – How it’s done sustainably. If we are to benefit fully, the Government of Meghalaya must ensure sustainable, inclusive development that protects our ecology, respects local communities, and avoids the pitfalls seen in over commercialised destinations like Goa or Shimla. Concert tourism should be coupled with waste management, ecological safeguards, improved infrastructure, and equitable opportunities for local artists and local businesses, especially the grassroot workers.
Shillong’s voice resonates globally, let its legacy be one of music, culture, and responsible progress.
Yours etc.,
Shivani Pde
Via email
