The Laitlyngkot Elaka has gifted land to the Shillong College for construction of a campus that will benefit students of the area.
A Memorandum of Agreement was signed between the Governing Body of Shillong College and the traditional heads of Elaka Laitlyngkot and subsequently the land documents (Patta) was handed over to the former.
Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony, Principal of Shillong College, E. Kharkongor said that the Shillong College started with 38 students from the Shillong Jail Road School in 1968.
Kharkongor said that the College shifted to its present location in Laitumkhrah in 1971 and in 1983 it was recognised as a grade A college.
According to her, the college caters to a number of students from rural areas of the state especially Pynursla and the adjoining areas like Laitlyngkot.
She hoped that with the cooperation of all stakeholders and including MLA, the physical infrastructure of the college will come up soon.
Prof B. Myrboh president Governing Body of Shillong College said that during his teaching career he came around many talented students from the rural areas.
“If a college is built in these areas, more talent will soon come from here,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sohra MLA Gavin M Mylliem who spoke on the occasion as the chief guest said that this was a long cherished dream of the people under Elaka Laitlyngkot and the adjoining areas.
Mylliem pointed out that to run an educational institution is not an easy task even as he added that presently, the Elaka is running the Kyntiew Shaphrang Higher Secondary School and to fund the salaries of the teachers they have to organise fetes.
He said that he and the people of Laitlyngkot are grateful to the management of Shillong College for setting up an institution in area. “You have expertise like teachers and management who are well trained,” Mylliem said.
He said that Laitlyngkot area is a centrally located place and many who are studying in the present campus in Shillong are from Pynursla, Laitlyngkot and adjoining areas. Some students from the areas have to discontinue their studies after their Class 12 since parents cannot afford to send them to Shillong, he added.
Mylliem said that there is a need to take educational institutions especially colleges to the interior areas of the state just like districts and sub divisions were built for administrative convenience.
“In this way hidden talents especially in the rural areas can shine,” Mylliem added.
