SHILLONG:
The Hynniewtrep Territorial Integrated Organisation (HITO) on Thursday asked the state government to come up with new policies to provide financial assistance to students belonging to economically weaker sections and who want to go for further studies
The HITO submitted a memorandum to the chief minister through Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar.
HITO president Donbok Dkhar said the memorandum highlights various points concerning students from the weaker section.
“We are known as a state with the highest dropout rate in the country. We also have an ample number of youths who are educated but not employable. This can be vetted by none other than your officers who conduct interviews for even contractual appointments,” the memorandum said.
It said that despite such a dismal tag there are scores of youths, especially from rural areas, who dream of making it big and sought the government’s intervention to create a better ecosystem for them to faithfully and diligently pursue their dreams.
The HITO cited the case of Wanhunlang Khongriat from Lad Mawphlang, Sohra. She has lost her father and was left to fend for the family with her aged mother, yet she secured 1st division with distinction in Khasi and Physical Education this year. Now she remains confused as to where to go from here. She has no resources and no one to help.
It said there are thousands of such youths who are struggling to get an employable education but they don’t have any support mechanism. “If we are to achieve a multi-billion economy in the immediate future, we need to have adequate human resources that is employable as well. For that, we need to incubate the raw talent so easily available across the state. Everyone wants to
The HITO stressed the need for a hostel.
Dkhar said, “If the government can give land for Re 1 to IAS officers and can build a Karbi hostel for the Karbi community, so we feel that how can the government neglect our youths.”
Further, they urged the government to help the students from the chief minister’s fund, so that they can pursue their further studies.
“In our verbal communication with the deputy chief minister, we urge the chief minister to include academics in the reservation policy,” Dkhar added.