Kiang Nangbah Govt. College merely an heirloom!

It is the oldest institution of higher education in the district and it is the only government college in Jaintia hills, but the oldest institute of higher learning is yet to see the better light of the day. It was started as a night college by the people of Jowai who dreamed and work hard to usher higher education in the district and it was in 1967 under the able leadership of late HE Pohshna that the college was recognized by the Governement of the then composite state of Assam. Being the government run college, Kiang Nangbah Government College is also the only college which caters to the need of the poor and the needy section of the population in the district.

For reason best known to the Education department of Meghalaya, it is rather ironic that in its 42 odd years of existence; only on rare occasion that this premiere institution of higher education had a full-fledged principal. Most of the time the college is being run by acting principal and when one acting principal retires another acting principal was appointed to succeed the former. So how do we expect an institution sans a proper head will be able to cater to the requirement of the young students of the district?

I was a student of the college and I am now a parent of a student who studies in the college and it is rather disheartening to see that the college has not seen any improvement from the way it was 20 years ago. The college still runs the only three compulsory stream of Arts, Science and Commerce which has been in existence since we were students. When higher education is improving and emphasis on job oriented education is stressed and new field of study is being introduce almost every day, this college is still being run in the old run of the mill system. Not even new subjects or department were introduced in the college. The last Minister of higher education who visited this college has promised the moon for this college but unfortunately his MPA government fell before he even try to reach to the moon. The boss in the education department has a good intention of starting Geology department in the college being the only Government college in Jaintia hills a district with huge mineral deposits, but as luck would have it the Geology department which was started in the college now function with just one lecturer.

The College is yet to have its own Library building and the so called library is being accommodated in the class rooms there by denying the college necessary class rooms. Many private colleges have been able to avail funds from the various schemes provided by the UGC, NEC and other funding agencies to construct their own library building, one wonder why has the Education department not been able to do the same for this college? It is also pity that a college of repute does not even have a qualified librarian for so long. The former librarian was on a study leave for four years and the college library function without a librarian and when the librarian joined her post in the early part of 2008 she resigned after remaining in the job for few months and till now the college library function without a librarian. Technically the college does not have a librarian for more than five years. Now the pertinent question is who is responsible for this and how did the college manage to maintain its affiliation to the University in spite of its failure to oblige to this one very important criterion for affiliation. Tura Government College is said to have a separate library building equipped with a librarian and staff and stocks of books and we still envy and blame our Garo brethrens instead of trying to emulate their achievements.

There is no dearth of fund for developing this college if the power that is; is willing to do so, but sadly nobody seems to be bothered about this college. None of the 7 MLAs of the district has ever raised any question about this college in the Assembly. The last MLA ma S. Mulieh has not even visit the college in the two terms that he was elected from the prestigious 7 Jowai constituency. And what has the erudite Dr. R.C. Laloo done for the college except to change its name from Jowai Government College to Kiang Nangbah Government College? During his last election campaign amidst howling crowd Dr. Laloo raised hue and cry about the college but they remain mere rhetoric till now. One year has elapsed and ma Roi is yet to visit the college which his father was incidentally the founder principal. In 1983 when ma Roi first contested in the election, I was a student then and I still remember him mentioning that his one aspirations was to complete what his father was not able to do so, after winning a hat trick and going for his fourth term now, ma Roi is yet to try improve this one legacy that his father has left.

The saddest part is the cancellation of all classes for the morning shift in the college. The reason was the mass resignation of the lecturer of the college because the education department failed to comply with their demand for enhancement of their honorarium for teaching in the morning section from Rs. 1000/- to Rs. 6000/-. The demand for enhancement is unreasonable because the same lecturers are drawing a monthly emolument of not less than Rs. 30,000/- per month for teaching mere two three hours a week. Now the question is where is the missionary spirit of a teacher? Teachers were traditionally held in high esteemed, they were called the Rabbi, Guru in some culture, but has that gone now? Where has the teacher who sacrifices himself for sake of educating his students gone? If the teachers who are supposed to be a role model for the learners also succumbed to greed, then does this district still have future? I came from a poor family and thanks to the morning class of the KN College that hundreds of students from economically weaker back ground like me were able to graduate combining study and work. Now even this opportunity is being denied to students who are willing to walk an extra mile to graduate from college.

What has the Education department done to solve this imbroglio? Noting; despite the fact that the person in charge is none other than the son of the soil of the great Jowai town. Why has the department not invite the lecturers to the negotiating table to arrive at a compromising formula? The students of the morning shift of the KN Government College were left in the lurch now, what will happen to them? Only time will tell. The College administration has made an alternative arrangement inviting for appointment of fresh lecturers on contract basis for the morning shift, but is this going to solve the problem in the long run? Like the biblical Pontius Pilate, has the ministry of higher and technical education washes it hands with regard to morning section of KNG College?

People of Jowai also wonder how it can be that ma Roi does not know about the state of affairs in the college when he is in some way part and parcel of this college or rather his other half is part of the college. Or is it because ma Roi and all the MLA are less bothered about his college and have nothing to do with it because all their children are studying in the best of colleges in Shillong or elsewhere in the country. Is it true that no body really bother about this college because the students who study in this college are only those who belong to the economically weaker section of the society? If that is the case then does it means that our honourable representatives represent the higher section of the society only? If that is so then who will speak for the poor and the needy? Or is it because Dr. R.C. Laloo’s sole intention is simply to keep the college as an heirloom?

Water crisis in the villages on the Nongkhlieh ridges

Caves photo are copyrighted property

Elaka Nongkhlieh which lies to the east of Jowai under the Saipung Block is one of the most neglected areas on the District but recently the area receives tremendous attention due to two reasons. The area under the Nongkhlieh ridge is unique because it has the highest density of caves and the area also boast to have in its procession the longest and the deepest cave in the country. The second reason is also because the Elaka has huge mineral reserves which consist of lime stones and coal deposits.

Children in Nongkhlieh particularly girls in the age 7 to 19 spend most of their waking time in collecting water. Wells near the village has dried out and only those on the lower slopes of the hills still have some water. Even from these wells, children have to wait for hours to fill one pot and after the tiresome business of collecting water; they have to climb steep hill with a vessel full with water on their head to reach home. Papun O. Sukhlein one of the oldest villager, said “during our childhood we never have any water problem whatsoever, because our hills were still covered with forest and huge trees but now the hills are barren he lamented.” The trees were cut to provide firewood for the migrant labourers who work in the mines in the lower slopes of the ridge. Ma K. Pajuh who also spoke to the scribe said “there were times when we do not take bath for weeks together because the water is so scarce.” Ioo Sukhlain a Shaktiman driver, whom we met while trying to fill the plastic water tanks (syntex) from a lake far from the village, said “we have to consume whatever water we can get even if we know that it is not fit for consumption.” Rich people were not affected by the water scarcity because they have vehicles to collect water for them from any distance, but it is the poor who have to bear the brunt.

Nongkhlieh ridge as the name itself implies is located on the top of the area surrounded by valleys on every sides. Even though the people of Nongkhlieh Elaka prohibit mining in the Elaka in any form, people living in the vicinity of the Elaka has started mining at the foot hills of the ridge. Ma Dot Phyrngap an elder in the Elaka said “ Till now the Elaka does not encourage people to register their land in the district council, because we still believe that the land belong to all the people and one owned the land only while one uses it. Once a person abandoned the land, it goes back to the Elaka and that same can be given to others.” He also said that “If we allow people to apply for Land Holding Certificate from the Council, only rich people will benefited from it while poor farmers will be deprived of their rights to land.”

It is tragic that even if there is no mining activity in Nongkhlieh till now, yet it was affected by the mining done on the lower slopes of its hills.

Brian Kharpran Daly, leader of the Meghalaya Adventure Association, who is currently camping in the area; when asked about the water crisis face by the Nongkhlieh Elaka, he said, the reason for scarcity of water is due rampant mining on the surrounding foot hills of the ridge. Simple hydrological knowledge tells us the once mining is started on the foot hills, water level will fall down. He also said that the coal mining process in the area also involved pumping out of water from the mines to facilitate mining, this not only draw the scarce commodity from underground, but it also polluted the surface water.”

Cavers found New Aquatic life in Nongkhlieh Caves

The annual cave expedition aptly called Caving in the abode of cloud organised by Meghalaya Adventure Association started on the February 2 at Nongkhlieh in the Saipung Sub Division to the east of Jowai. The cave exploration is regular annual event in which cavers from the world over took part in the expeditions; and since 1992 the cavers has surveyed and map more than 300 KM of caves in the state of Meghalaya alone.

Simon Brooks a team leader from UK and who has been caving in the different parts of the World said that the caves in the Jaintia hills especially in the Nongkhlieh ridge are unique because there are all kinds of caves both horizontal and vertical caves in the region. Bah Brian Kharpran Dally a pioneer in caving expedition among the Meghalaya and recipient of Tezing Norgay award from the government of India said that the Nongkhlieh ridge is important for the state because we have Krem Liatprah which is the longest cave and the krem Synrang Pamiang the deepest cave in the country. Brian also told this scribe that Nongkhlieh ridge is unique because in the 30 square KM area, they have mapped more than 100 KM of caves.

On the important of the scientific studies of the caves, bah Brian said that the cave is not only important to archeologist, paleontologist, zoologist and others; we now even have climatologist who came to study the caves. He also add that krem Liatprah is one of the oldest cave in the Meghalaya which had formed million of years ago and the cave is like a time capsule where climatologist learned about the monsoon and the climate change over thousand of years.

The area is exceptional caving region not only because of the network of caves, it is equally important because inside the caves there are also cave’s creatures which can be found only in the caves of this area. Most of the creatures found in the area are bats but deep down in the belly of the nature; they also found cricket with antennae ten times the size of the insect. Creature inside the cave has over the years evolved in the hostile environment of total darkness that they live so both fishes and insects have no eyes. Last year also the cavers caught a fish from one of the cave, the same has been send for study. This year rather unexpectedly, a fish was accidentally caught in one of the accessories of the cavers and bah Brian categorically confirmed that it is totally a new species altogether.

In this particular expedition, the cavers not only include professionals from abroad, but for the first time in the history of the armed force in the country, a contingent of Indian Navy under Commander Vijay Chhikara joined the expedition. Chhikara said that it is an honoured that the MAA has agreed to take them because armed force has climb mount Everest, explored North pole but, this is the first caving expedition by any branch of the armed force.

Elaka Nongkhlieh: The land of hundred caves

All Caves Photographs in this BLOG are copyrighted.

The Meghalaya Adventure Association on its objection to the proposed Cosmos cement Ltd at Nongkhlieh, described the caves in the area as ‘virtual capsules providing a uniquely preserved record of India’s past climates which could serve to give an indication of future world climatic condition.’ The Association also stated that ‘some of the caves in the area are so ancient and are therefore very important scientifically, as they were developed long before the valleys were cut. The pattern of cave development and location of the caves on Nongkhlieh ridge would provide an insight to the geological and geomorphological history of Meghalaya and Assam. But if the Cosmos cement Ltd, the government and the Meghalaya Pollution Control Board would have their way, on one fell swoop all this will be gone and lost forever.

The Nongkhlieh ridge with an area of approximately 30 square kilometer comprises of 10 villages which include Shnongrim, Khaidong, Bangla, Nongthymme, Moolesngi, Lumthari, Tongseng, Lelad, Tangnub and Nongkhlieh village. The Elaka already has a network of caves which is about 148 km long. Krem Liat-prah Um-im Labit system at 31 km is the longest in India and the deepest shaft cave in India is Krem Chrieh (Tangnub) at 97 metres. The Nongkhlieh Elaka literarily stands on network of hundreds of cave crisscrossing each other under the belly of the mother earth. MAA has simultaneously conducted Biospeleogy (study of cave dwelling fauna) and found that there is a great diversity of cave life and species in some of the caves. MAA categorically stated that any damage to the cave system would certainly destroy the fragile cave eco-system even if a large part of it is yet to be mapped and documented by the Association.

It is also ironic that while M.S. Swaminathan’s speech at the conclave at NEHU suggesting the need of ‘evergreen revolution in the north east’ was widely reported in the press, the policy makers in the state seems to forget Swaminathan’s power point presentation the moment the speaker resumed his sit. Even the young lady who shared the dais with him seems to be least bothered about his suggestion because before the speech by the eminent speaker even draw to a close, the MPA government co-led by her father has already dispatched puppet MSPCB members and officers from the district administration to conduct a public hearing for the propose setting up of Cosmos cement plant at Nongkhlieh.

The Kotsati, Umlawan and other cave system at Lumchnong, are lost forever, so, should the cave system on the Nongkhlieh ridge too be lost? Nongkhlieh is also famous becase of the Kut Sutiang where the Pnar Freedom fighter fought the last battle of independence against the British.

One hope that the concept of evergreen revolution; as suggested by the eminent scientist would not fell on deaf ears and government take up the matter of protecting the bio diversity hotspot like Nongkhlieh ridge, but sadly that was not to happen. The Nongkhlieh area is also unique because it is the source of the three main river system of Jaintia hills namely the Kupli, the Letein and the Lynju or Lukha.

It is expected that Agatha Sangma will walk the talk and make climate change an important issue in the MPA government and like the saying goes, ‘think globally act locally’ Agatha.

Jaintia Tourism Festival begins

The week long tourism festival organise by the Jaintia Tourism and Environment Society (JTES) in collaboration with the District Administration and partner NGOs will start with an inaugural function on the November 1 and followed by a carnival or road show and food festival. Then at 4 PM in the evening people will be treated a musical extravaganza in the form of a beat contest.

The first part of the programme on the second day of the festival is a cultural programme at Khliehriat followed by fishing, boating cum wine festival at the famous Sajar Niangly Lake. In the evening another dose of musical treat called down memory lane will offered to the people. The third day of the festival will include cultural programme, archery, fishing, kite flying and fire balloon flying competition at the strikingly beautiful Syntu Ksiar with Kiang Nangbah memorial stone on the backup. In the evening there will be another musical concert organise by the All India Radio, Jowai.

The fourth day is a special day in the sense that simultaneously two programme in being organised on two special locations, a Boating, swimming competion entitled War Jaintia festival at Jarain another programme is cultural cum water sport at Iooksi on the Kupli river. In the evening a special comedy show called the great Jaintia laughter challenge will be held at Iawusiang, Jowai.
The fifth day has a pack programme which will start with a Nature and cultural tour to many tourist spots of the district, and then in the afternoon a festival of flying colours will held at the Ialong park followed by an evening of thousand lights cum musical night at the same venue. The last day of the festival is the closing ceremony cum fashion extravaganza at the district library auditorium, Jowai.

Jaintia: Nature’s Own Land Beckons

Jowai town now wore a festive look even if Christmas and New Year day is three weeks away. Thanks to the annual tourism festival brand named Discover Jaintia 2008, the festive spirit is already in the air in the town in particular and the district in general. The third edition of the week long Discover Jaintia beginning on November 1, is organised by the Jaintia Tourism and Environment Society in collaboration with the District administration and other partner NGOs.

The festival adds festive spirit to the beautiful tourist spots of the district and this is the best time to visit such places. From Shillong one can visit Nartiang by taking left on reaching Ummulong. Nartiang is famous for the Monolith Park which has the largest collection of dolmen and menhir in one place and the park is also famous for the tallest and largest monolith believed to be erected by the giant u Mar Phalangki. While in Nartiang don’t forget to visit the famous Durga temple believed to be about 300 years old and a Shiv temple adjacent to it. The erstwhile Jaintia kings are believed to performed human sacrifice in the Durga temple in the days of the yore. From Nartiang one can return back on the same road to hit the National Highway 44 again and head towards Jowai. After traveling for few minutes before reaching Jowai one will see to the left; the magnificent Thadlaskein lake also known as Sajar Niangli lake; believed to be dug by Sajar Niangli and his followers with the edge of their bows only.

In Jowai there are many places to visit, the Tyrchi fall which is again only few minutes’ drive from Thadlaskein lake is another important tourist spot, but before one decide to decent down to have a view of the majestic fall one should remember that there are more 300 steps to the lower part of the fall. On reaching Jowai; one can drive to Syntu Ksiar and enjoy the beautiful view of Myntdu river, believe to be the guardian angel (ka tawiar takan) and the memorial tomb of u Kiang Nangbah, or one can also travel to Ialong which is about 6 KM from Jowai where the famous Ialong sacred grove is located.

On the second day, stating from Jowai one can travel to Muktapur which is 50 KM from Jowai ad a frontier village on the Indian side of the Indo-Bangla border. On the way one can stop and visit Thlumiwi falls and the ancient stone bridge. Then proceed further and stop at the Jarain pitcher plant lake for a while. If you want to see a living pitcher plant, you can stop at Myrkein where the small reserve forest of the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council is located. On reaching Amalrem about 28 KM from Jowai, to proceed to Muktapur one should take extreme left and after traveling for few minutes you will see to your left a huge sign post indicating the location of the Krangshuri falls. This again is a unique spot which has many features in the one ecosystem. Then the next stop will be at Syndai where the Rupasor the ancient bathing ghat of the Maharanis of the erstwhile King of the Janitia kingdom. Few metres down one can see the Umpubon river and in the river there is a sculpture of an elephant carved since time immemorial. Syndai also have another sculpture of “u Khmi” earthquake and to see this sculpture and the cave; one has to take the path near the river which leads to Syndai village. Syndai cave is considered to be people friendly cave.

For people with a knack for adventure, one can drive to Elaka Nongkhlieh and visit the exotic caves recently discovered and mapped by the Meghalaya Adventure Association, but a word of caution, this caves are not for amateurs. For serious cavers one can contact the MAA in Shillong. Nature loving people tempted by the wild, one can seek the help of the Divisional Forest Officer incharge of wildlife division to trek on the three protected area or the reserve forest of the district. Of the three; Narpuh is easily accessible though it is more than 60 KM from Jowai, but it is assured that it worth taking the effort.
So what else are you waiting for, pack your bags and baggage and hit the road Jack, nature is calling and Jaintia beckons.

Kopati goddess praised for bountiful harvest

(Jaintia’s Thanksgiving Festival)
The Niamtre People (people who still adhere to tribal animist religion) of the Raij Raliang in Jaintia hills today lay to rest the goddess Kopati in a colourful religious festival held at Raliang. The Kopati puja is a harvest and thanks giving religious festival which is being celebrate by the tribals of this area after rice which is the main crop of the people is harvested.

The three days festival which was started on November 26 reaches its crescendo on the second day which is the 27. The ritual on the second day begins with a ritual in the wee hour of the morning followed by the warrior dance at the sacred grove of the Raij (state comprising of several villages) Raliang. After the warrior dance; the goddess was then taken to the river Umiurem to be laid to rest.

The final journey for the goddess started from the house of the Sutnga clan which is the “ksoh blai” or the keeper of the goddess. The goddess was carried by the wamon (priest) from the Sutnga clan accompanied by the people of the Raij under the leadership of Chawas Lyngdoh the dalloi (governor) of the Elaka Raliang. The dalloi along with the pator (chief of staff) and other dignitaries of the Elaka bate goodbye to the goddess before it crossed the boundary of the village.

The procession continues and then the Harmuid and the Laram along with the drums under their command also has to bate farewell to the goddess. The remaining of the procession along with the beating of the two remaining drums; proceeds on a long and arduous journey of more than 5 KM towards the Umiurem River. After walking for several hours; passing through hills and vales and walked by the harvested paddy field, the processions finally reached the river. On reaching the river bank, everybody took their shoes off before proceeding towards the altar. The wamon then immersed in the river bunch of flower and simultaneously the Wasan-noh-blai released a dove in the middle of the river. The pigeon crossed to the other side of the river and that is a good sign that the god(s) has accepted all the sacrifices and offerings provided by the people.

After the goddess was immersed, the wamon along with his helper arrange for the offerings which include rice, sugarcane and other fruits and vegetables. The offering was offered on the altar and later it was then shared among those who were present in the ceremony. The sharing also symbolized that people can now use or partake the newly harvested rice, fruits and vegetables.

The puja Kopati is the last religious rites of the Elaka Raliang, it is people way of expressing gratitude to the gods for the plentiful harvest this year, it may be mention that people are forbid from partaking new rice, fruits and vegetables before the puja was performed. Its only after the offering was first offered to the goddess, that the people of the raij can enjoy its blessings.

Under the Elaka (state) Raliang there are 5 raij, the raij Raliang, the raij Khonchnong, raij Ynniaw Kmai, raij Ionglang and raij Lapne. All these raij has a role to play to make this religious festival a success.

The last part of the programme was the warrior dance performed by the elders of the different clans of the raij and the climax of the festival was the warrior dance between C. Lyngdoh the dalloi versus the Firstly born Synnah the pator of the Elaka. The festival which started yesterday will continue till tomorrow.

The third day of the festival consist of many more rites and ceremony like “choo daloi” escorting the daloi and the fourth day will be the final day which is called “hiar rep Langdoh” or the priest symbolic act of starting the cycle of farming again after the harvest.