SHILLONG: The Government of Meghalaya’s excessive focus on festivals, while important state issues remain unaddressed, raising serious concerns. Cultural events are undeniably important for preserving heritage and boosting tourism. However, they should not come at the expense of pressing issues such as youth development, unemployment, agricultural distress, and the lack of protective laws like the Inner Line Permit (ILP) and the Instrument of Accession and Annexed Agreement (IOA&AA).
These are the real challenges that require immediate attention from the government.
Youth Neglect: A Growing Crisis
The youth of Meghalaya is facing alarming issues such as rising drug addiction, teenage pregnancies, broken families, and the spread of HIV/AIDS. With limited job opportunities and a declining educational infrastructure, is the government inadvertently pushing young people toward destructive paths? Festivals, while culturally enriching, seem to be used as distractions, keeping the youth from engaging with the deeper issues affecting their lives and future.
Agricultural and Economic Disarray
Farmers, the backbone of Meghalaya’s economy, face various hardships, including poor market access, inadequate subsidies, outdated policies, and insufficient irrigation facilities. Why does the government continue to prioritise festivals over tangible support for agriculture?
Meghalaya’s economy remains overly reliant on unstable sectors, leaving farmers and rural communities vulnerable. Where are the long-term, sustainable solutions for economic development?
Social Decline and Governance Failure
The rise in teenage pregnancies, abandoned children, and broken families signifies a breakdown in the social fabric. What concrete steps is the government taking to address this social decay?
The rapid rise in HIV/AIDS cases further demands urgent action, including the lack of awareness campaigns and inadequate healthcare services are leaving vulnerable groups at risk. It is time for the government to prioritize health and social welfare over temporary distractions.
Cultural Identity at Risk
The ongoing demand for the Inner Line Permit (ILP) remains ignored, despite its crucial role in preserving Meghalaya’s unique cultural and demographic identity. Failing to implement ILP puts the state’s autonomy and cultural integrity in jeopardy.
The neglect of the IOA&AA further erodes the special status that Khasi deserves. This inaction is a grave disservice to the people of the state.
The Impact of Misplaced priorities
• A Lost Generation: Without job opportunities and adequate guidance, the youth of Meghalaya are being pushed toward social decay, which will have long-term negative effect on the state’s future.
• Deepening Poverty: The lack of sustainable agricultural policies and economic solutions has led to worsening poverty, particularly in the rural areas.
• Cultural Erosion: The failure to implement ILP risks diluting the state’s indigenous identity and opens the door to external exploitation.
NEHU Students’ Hunger Strikes: A Wake-Up Call
The hunger strikes by students at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) reflect the government’s failure to address youth-centric issues, especially in education. The government’s inaction in resolving the demands of NEHU students shows a lack of engagement with the concerns of the future generation. Are these protests not a reflection of systemic failures within Meghalaya’s education sector?
Critical Questions for the Government
1. Why is the government spending millions on festivals while youth unemployment and drug addiction continue to spiral?
2. Why isn’t farmers’ welfare a priority, despite their crucial role in the state’s economy?
3. What concrete actions is the government taking to combat the rise of HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancies?
4. Why have authorities ignored the demand for ILP for so long, compromising the state’s cultural and demographic integrity?
5. Is the government abandoning the IOA&AA, thereby weakening the state’s autonomy and rights?
6. Are festivals simply a cover for the government’s failure to address the real issues facing the state?
7. What steps will be taken to address the grievances of NEHU students and implement much-needed educational reforms?
A Call for Immediate Action!
The people of Meghalaya must demand that the government shift its focus from temporary celebrations to addressing the real issues that affect their daily lives.
• Youth: Provide job opportunities, quality education, and safeguards against harmful influences.
• Farmers: Provide tangible support through modernized agricultural policies and market access.
• State Identity: Implement ILP and enforce IOA&AA to protect the state’s future and autonomy.
If the government continues to ignore these fundamental issues, Meghalaya risks irreparable damage to its social, cultural, and economic foundation. Governance should focus on long-term solutions that benefit the people, not short-lived celebrations that do little to address the state’s most pressing concerns.
Image courtesy: Representational
(Name withheld and the opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of 4FrontMedia)
