MAWRYNGKNENG, SEPT 5: From a poor farmer’s son and MeSEB bill clerk to NEHU professor, NPP’s Shillong Lok Sabha bypoll candidate Dr DRL Nonglait on Friday invoked his humble roots to connect with voters of Mawryngkneng.
Campaigning on Friday, the NEHU veteran of 20 years said he never imagined contesting, but felt compelled as the state and community needs him.
Nonglait, who hails from Lawbyrtun under Hima Mawiaweng, said the constituency is 80% agrarian and he understands its struggles as he comes from the same background.
He said guidance he gave to Riwar College to seek help from Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong after NEHU affiliation helped it become a people’s college. He lauded Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar for transforming Nongtalang, Thomas Jones, Shangpung and Khliehriat colleges into people’s colleges even without an NPP MLA, which inspired him to work with the government.
Touching on education reforms, Nonglait said the Education Policy he was involved in ended street protests by teachers and the New Pay Structure ensured decent salaries, though issues of senior teachers and aid to new schools remain.
As head of NEHU’s College Development Council, he noted Meghalaya lived without a medical college for decades since statehood until NEIGRIHMS came under NEHU and last year Shillong Medical College got permission to start.
