Shillong Daily

28/10/2025

Anti- Uranium Day

SD | Spelity Lyngdoh Langrin: Meghalaya’s “Iron Lady” Who Said No to Uranium .!

- Her solitary resistance soon grew into a movement. Student groups like the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and civil society organizations rallied behind her. Protests spread across Meghalaya, forcing the government to halt uranium mining projects. In 2016, all mining leases in the state were officially revoked a victory rooted in Spelity’s courage.

Despite living without proper roads, electricity, or health services, Spelity’s spirit remained unshaken. For her, safeguarding the land and lives of future generations outweighed any personal comfort or wealth.

She passed away in 2020 at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. Hence, October 28 is observed as “Anti-Uranium Day” in her memory.

Spelity Lyngdoh Langrin will forever be remembered as Meghalaya’s Iron Lady a humble grandmother who turned into a symbol of resistance, environmental justice, and indigenous pride.

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27/10/2025

SD Desk | Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has announced the sanctioning of over ₹22 crore for the construction and improvement of the Nongstoiñ–Sohpian Road, a key stretch aimed at boosting connectivity in West Khasi Hills District.

Tynsong said the project reflects the government’s commitment to improving rural infrastructure and ensuring better road access for remote areas. He emphasized that road connectivity is vital for both economic activity and social development, enabling easier access to markets, education, and healthcare facilities.

The sanctioned amount more than ₹22 crore will go toward the construction and upgradation of the road, which has long been a demand of the local residents due to poor conditions and frequent travel disruptions.

-Photo sourced from public domain / official media for news reporting.

27/10/2025

SD | In an interview last month with 4Front Media, retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Toki Blah delivered a scathing critique of Meghalaya’s political leadership and administrative functioning. The conversation highlighted a lack of long-term vision for economic development, systemic corruption, and an urgent need to address governance failures and rising security threats, particularly the drug menace.

The Governance and Economic Deficit ;

Toki Blah emphasized that the state suffers primarily from an absence of clear, long-term economic planning. “When there is no vision, the people perish,” he remarked, stressing that government schemes are often politically motivated and unsustainable rather than designed for meaningful development.

He also criticized the Legislative Assembly, noting that critical issues like unemployment raised in the House rarely see follow-up action. As a result, Blah stated, the northeastern states, including Meghalaya, are “not economically viable states” under current governance.

Education as a National Security Concern ;

Toki Blah drew a stark connection between the declining quality of education and rising insecurity among youth. He advocated for a unified, quality-driven education policy to ensure competent teachers and meaningful learning outcomes. According to him, the frustration of unemployed graduates due to systemic failures contributes to militancy, effectively turning education into a national security concern.

Tackling the Drug Menace ;

Highlighting the scale of drug trafficking in the region, Blah called for a shift in strategy from addiction management to supply chain disruption. He proposed the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and GPS-enabled tracking devices to monitor and dismantle the operations of major drug suppliers. “State weakness and corruption erode public confidence,” he warned, emphasizing that citizen involvement and technology are essential in this fight.

Geopolitical Vulnerabilities ;

Toki Blah also warned about external threat and Meghalaya’s strategic position. He raised the potential for climate-induced migrations from Bangladesh due to rising sea levels, which could lead to a massive influx of people into the Northeast, straining resources and heightening ethnic tensions.

He further noted the region’s growing global significance due to rare earth minerals and proximity to the Malacca Straits. According to Blah, foreign intelligence agencies—including the CIA and Pakistan’s ISI—take a keen interest in the region, and leaders must remain alert to its geopolitical implications.

A Call for Leadership and Public Accountability ;

Toki Blah concluded that Meghalaya’s survival and prosperity depend on politically conscious citizens demanding both expertise and moral courage from their leaders. The state require vision-driven governance, robust institutions, and active public participation to navigate the complex internal and external challenges it face.

-Editorial Insight

- Photo sourced from public domain / official media for news reporting.

26/10/2025

SD Desk | The Meghalaya government has invited proposals to transform the Orchid Lake Resort at Umiam into a five-star luxury resort under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

In a notice issued by the Director of Tourism, the state has called for Requests for Proposal (RFP) from eligible bidders for the development, operation, and maintenance of the resort, along with Lumpondeng Island, which lies within the Umiam Lake area.

The project will follow the Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Transfer (DBFOT) model and aims to enhance Meghalaya’s tourism infrastructure while leveraging private sector expertise and investment.

According to the tender, the proposed project area covers approximately 69.42 acres, with 32.64 acres earmarked for the Orchid Lake Resort and 36.78 acres for Lumpondeng Island.

The last date for submission of proposals is November 24, and the technical bids will be opened on the same day, the department informed.

( With inputs TST)

26/10/2025

SD | Over the past seven years, Meghalaya’s education sector has been shaped by two ministers whose styles could not be more different Lahkmen Rymbui and Rakkam A. Sangma. Their tenures have been marked by reforms, controversies, and efforts to strengthen government schools across the state.

Lahkmen Rymbui: Measured Reforms Amid Challenges

Lahkmen Rymbui held the Education portfolio from 2018 to 2023, during which Meghalaya’s schools faced chronic teacher shortages, infrastructure gaps, and delayed policy implementation. His approach was methodical and policy-focused, emphasizing long-term systems over headline-making announcements.

Key initiatives under Rymbui included:

Introduction of Meghalaya Teacher Eligibility Test (MTET), establishing merit-based benchmarks for teachers.

Regularization and financial reform for SSA and ad hoc teachers.

Implementation groundwork for the National Education Policy (NEP), adapting national guidelines to state-specific needs.

Despite this steady approach, Rymbui’s tenure was marked by significant unrest. As Home Minister, he faced the Mawlai protest following the killing of Cheristerfield, a tense event that prompted him to offer resignation which was not accepted by the Chief Minister. Additionally, teachers across the state staged protests over pay and working conditions, during which law enforcement reportedly used lathi charge and tear gas to disperse demonstrators.

Supporters credit Rymbui for laying foundational systems for Meghalaya’s education sector, while critics note that his calm style sometimes appeared too cautious to address immediate challenges.

Rakkam Sangma , The Vocal Reformer and the Lightning Rod;

When Rakkam A. Sangma took over the Education portfolio in March 2023, the mood shifted dramatically.
The young minister from South Garo Hills brought energy, charisma, and constant visibility. He was on the ground visiting schools, launching reviews, and taking tough stands on discipline and attendance.

Under Rakkam, the department initiated:

A review of zero-enrolment schools, proposing closure or merger to improve efficiency.

Digital classroom and teacher-upskilling programs, particularly in remote areas.

Strong warnings against proxy teaching and absenteeism, signaling stricter accountability.

However, Rakkam’s assertive style often walked hand-in-hand with controversy.

In early 2025, he stirred a storm by suggesting that the state university’s inauguration be conducted through Christian rituals, remarking that “Ours is a Christian state.” The comment drew backlash from secular and interfaith groups who accused him of undermining constitutional values.

He also faced a hate-speech complaint filed by the Voice of the People Party (VPP), alleging that his campaign remarks targeted rival supporters.
Separately, Rakkam was pulled into the ongoing GHADC salary crisis, where employees had gone unpaid for years an issue he defended publicly, blaming systemic delays.

Despite the noise, Rakkam remained popular among young voters for his outspoken, hands-on leadership even if it often put him in political hot water.

Comparing Tenures

Aspect Lahkmen Rymbui (2018–2023) Rakkam A. Sangma (2023–2025)

Leadership Style Measured, policy-focused Energetic, outspoken
Public Visibility Low, behind-the-scenes High, media-engaged
Focus Areas Teacher training, NEP groundwork Institutional reform, infrastructure
Approach to Challenges Calm, methodical Assertive, rapid action
Controversies Mawlai protest, teacher unrest, tear gas incidents Occasional remarks and public debates

Both ministers operated under different political contexts Rymbui in a stabilizing MDA-I government, and Rakkam in the faster-paced MDA-II era under Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.

Looking Ahead

As Rymbui returns to the education portfolio in the latest cabinet reshuffle, his second innings begins under very different conditions.
He inherits a department shaped by Rakkam’s high-visibility reforms — and a public more vocal than ever about accountability.

Whether the calm reformer can again steady the storm remains to be seen.

Conclusion

The education landscape in Meghalaya has experienced both steady policy-building and visible reform enforcement over the past seven years. Lahkmen Rymbui focused on laying foundations and systematic policies, even amidst protests and public unrest, while Rakkam A. Sangma emphasized visibility, swift decision-making, and accountability measures, particularly in challenging rural contexts.

Together, their tenures reflect the dual needs of Meghalaya’s education system strong policy frameworks and active, on-the-ground reform implementation as the state works to improve learning outcomes for its students.

- Editorial Insight

- Photo sourced from public domain / official media for news reporting.

26/10/2025

SD | UFC fighter Conor McGregor has declared that he has “given his life to Christ,” describing his return to the octagon as part of a deep spiritual transformation.

Speaking at a pre-fight press conference, McGregor said,

“I am not here by chance. There is a higher power God that dictates my journey. I live my life by God’s word... I’ve engaged on a spiritual journey, and I’m saved, I am healed.”

The former lightweight champion, preparing for a comeback after an 18-month suspension, said his renewed faith has reshaped how he approaches both life and competition.

McGregor’s announcement follows years of controversy, including a civil judgment earlier this year in a sexual assault case.

Dave Feldman, founder of the Bare-Knuckle Fighting Championship, praised McGregor’s transformation, saying, “A lot of people need to make changes in their life and don’t have the guts to. I take my hat off to Conor.”

In January, McGregor attended a Christian pre-inauguration ball hosted by Turning Point USA, signalling what many see as a public turn toward faith.

25/10/2025

SD | Prompt action was taken by the Ri-Bhoi District Administration after Member of Parliament Dr. Ricky A.J. Syngkon wrote to the Deputy Commissioner highlighting traffic issues caused by trucks along National Highway-6.

Following the MP’s letter, the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police launched an extensive crackdown on illegally parked and overloaded trucks between Jorabat and Byrnihat. The drive aims to ease congestion, improve road safety, and prevent accidents along the busy route.

Dr. Ricky Syngkon praised the administration for its swift response to public concerns and its commitment to ensuring commuter safety.

Officials said the enforcement drive will continue in the coming days, with strict penalties against violators to maintain order and discipline on the highway.

25/10/2025

SD | Meghalaya, faith is everywhere. Church spires pierce the mist, Sunday choirs echo through pine valleys, and prayers are as common as rain. Nearly four in five citizens identify as Christian, making this one of India’s most devout states. And yet, beneath this outward reverence, something deeper and darker is quietly unfolding.

The state’s first woman Director General of Police, Idashisha Nongrang, recently made a striking observation: most of Meghalaya’s crime victims and offenders come from dysfunctional families. Her statement, delivered in the context of law enforcement, reverberated far beyond policing. It touched the nerve of a society wrestling with a crisis of conscience.

If Meghalaya is one of the most God-fearing places in India, why is morality losing its anchor?

Faith Without Formation ;

Religion teaches compassion, restraint, and accountability. But faith, when confined to ritual, risks becoming hollow. For many in Meghalaya, going to church has become habit a social routine rather than a spiritual reckoning. Hymns are sung, prayers are said, but in homes where addiction festers, violence brews, and neglect deepens, these devotions ring increasingly empty.

The home, not the church, is the first school of morality. And when that foundation fractures when parents are absent, when values are outsourced to institutions, when empathy erodes the rot begins from within. No sermon can heal what the family refuses to teach.

The Mirage of Morality ;

Across Meghalaya’s lush hills, from Shillong’s congested lanes to border towns like Dawki and Bholaganj, the contradiction is impossible to ignore. Alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic violence, and crimes against women and children persist even thrive in a state saturated with faith.

The easy explanation is to blame poverty or unemployment. But Nongrang’s remark points to something more intimate a society where moral guidance has collapsed under the weight of comfort, complacency, and imitation of western modernity without its discipline.

Faith is not failing Meghalaya. Meghalaya is failing faith.

A Church in Crisis ;

Once, the Church was the moral spine of Khasi and Jaintia society. Today, even as churches multiply, their moral influence appears to fade. Pastors preach peace, but many congregations remain divided along clan lines, political loyalties, and class. Young people attend Sunday service but return home to fractured families and broken promises.

There is no shortage of prayer in Meghalaya. What is missing is reflection.

When religion becomes cultural décor when the cross on the wall loses its weight sin becomes easier to justify, and morality becomes negotiable.

The True Test of Faith ;

The DGP’s words should not be seen as criticism, but as a mirror. Meghalaya’s battle is not against lawbreakers alone, but against moral decay. Policing can address crime, but it cannot restore conscience.

That work belongs to families, schools, and faith institutions. It begins when parents listen before they preach, when teachers correct before they condemn, and when churches act beyond their pulpits not just saving souls, but also saving homes.

Faith After All ;

Perhaps God has not abandoned Meghalaya. Perhaps He is testing it. Testing whether the faithful can see beyond the stained glass and the sermons to the silent crisis festering within their own homes and hearts.

Because faith without reflection is just noise.
And devotion without discipline is empty.

Editorial Insight

25/10/2025

SD | A fresh rift has erupted between the state government and the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) over the alleged issuance of labour licences to non-tribal workers from outside the state.

- Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on Friday dismissed the KHADC’s allegations, urging its Executive Committee (EC) members to “read the Sixth Schedule thoroughly” before making baseless claims.

“They should go through Para 12A of the Sixth Schedule. The subject of labour does not fall under the jurisdiction of the District Councils,” Tynsong said, referring to the Meghalaya Labour Act, 2019, which he said empowers only the state government to issue labour licences.

He explained that following the passage of the Act, the government introduced amendments allowing migrant labourers to apply for licences online. However, applicants must still submit their physical documents for scrutiny.

“Migrant workers can apply from anywhere, but the Labour Department verifies all documents and shares details with the police for antecedent checks, including nationality. Only after proper verification is a licence issued,” he clarified.

The remarks came in response to KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Winston Tony Lyngdoh, who had earlier accused the state government of issuing licences to migrant workers “even before they enter Meghalaya,” terming it a “serious lapse.”

Lyngdoh said the KHADC would conduct its own checks within its jurisdiction to regulate such cases. However, he acknowledged the Council’s limited powers, noting that while it can evict illegal migrants, it lacks authority to deport them.

He further highlighted the conflict between the Meghalaya Migrant Workers Act and the Council’s constitutional powers, calling for greater clarity to avoid administrative overlap.

25/10/2025

SD Ri Bhoi Cops Ban Parking on Highway from Jorabat to Byrnihat !

- To ensure smooth traffic movement and enhance road safety, Ri-Bhoi police have banned parking along National Highway-6 from Jorabat to Byrnihat.

Superintendent of Police V.S. Rathore said that all vehicles, especially trucks, are strictly prohibited from parking along this stretch. Any vehicle found violating the order will be fined as per law.

He also warned dhaba and hotel owners not to allow vehicles to park on the roadside near their establishments. Repeat violations will attract penalties and may lead to closure of such outlets, he added.

The police have intensified checking drives along the route to curb speeding, illegal parking, and non-compliance with helmet and seatbelt rules. Rathore said the move follows several complaints and aims to prevent accidents caused by roadside obstruction.

25/10/2025

SD | Here’s a rare old photo of our Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Prestone Tynsong (in the green sweater), during an overseas trip exploring the stark beauty of the Middle Eastern desert, likely in the Arabian Peninsula.

This picture speaks to the universal spirit of adventure. What a memory!

Representative image used for commentary and storytelling by Shillong Daily.

24/10/2025

SD | Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Vincent H. Pala has dismissed reports of internal demands for a leadership change, asserting that no such discussions have occurred in official party forums.

“I have not heard any demand for a change in leadership in our meetings. These stories are only appearing in the media,” Pala said.

Pala attributed recent criticism to former Congress leaders who defected to other parties but now feel isolated, stressing he will not step down simply because “someone says I’m not good.” He also refuted claims that former MLA Pynshngaiñ Syiem opposed him, calling Syiem “an asset and a friend.”

Reflecting on his appointment, Pala said he accepted the MPCC president’s role at the request of the high command and party MLAs during a period of desertions, to keep the organization intact.

“The party is reorganizing. Every dog has his day our time will come,” he said.

Pala confirmed preparations are underway for the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council elections, with applications received for nearly all 29 seats. About 80% of Congress candidates for the next assembly polls will be new faces.
He also welcomed the weakening of the TMC in Meghalaya, noting it has helped bring defectors back to the Congress fold.