JOWAI, OCT 23: NPP candidate Dr D R L Nonglait on Thursday said his mission in Delhi will be to ensure Khasi language gets included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution and that the voice of Hynniewtrep is heard in Parliament.
Addressing voters at Mihmyntdu, Jowai, during the by-election campaign for Shillong Lok Sabha seat, Nonglait said the translation project for Khasi is already underway.
“Ministry of Information and Technology has set up a committee for Khasi translation project. Through technology, Khasi can be translated into all scheduled languages. The work is on with support of Centre and state government,” he said.
“Once Khasi is in Eighth Schedule, if you elect me, I will go to Parliament and speak in Khasi. All languages in Eighth Schedule are allowed to speak in their own language. Khasi has stood tall and is equal to other languages of India. What we need is strong follow-up in Delhi,” Nonglait said.
He said inclusion will also benefit other dialects.
“So far dialects in Pnar country, Ri Bhoi, Ri Lyngam, War did not get adequate support. When Khasi gets into Eighth Schedule, these languages will also get funds for research from different institutions. They will bloom and enrich Hynniewtrep Hynniewskum as a community rich in languages,” he said.
Nonglait listed three historic Assembly resolutions brought by NPP-led MDA government – Khasi language inclusion, ILP implementation and opposition to uranium mining at Domiasiat.
“No earlier government brought resolution for Khasi official language, for Eighth Schedule, for ILP or against uranium mining. It is NPP government under Conrad Sangma, Prestone Tynsong and Sniawbhalang Dhar which brought these resolutions that will stay in history. We must honour those who dared to bring them,” he said.
“ILP is needed to monitor entry and stay of outsiders so they do not dominate or destroy our environment. Uranium at Domiasiat is tempting but dangerous and our people do not want its mining in our small state,” he added.
Sharing his emotional connect with Mihmyntdu, where he first came in 2015 to speak on ‘Akor’ at a seminar of Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Synod Mihngi, Nonglait said the village is the source of River Myntdu.
“Mihmyntdu is the origin of Myntdu, one of the most famous rivers in Khasi-Jaintia. It gives drinking water to Jowai, goes around the town, goes to Syntu Ksiar, Ialong, Tuber to Leshka where three rivers meet and brings power project that can give power to many districts. Its service cannot be measured. It inspired my spirit of service,” he said.
On his candidature, he said, “I come from rural background, started small, through hard work and God’s grace I came to Shillong to study, work, teach. I asked elders, including Prof Lamin present here, whether to accept NPP’s offer. They said don’t miss people’s opportunity. For me it is not my opportunity but opportunity to serve.”
“My aim is to improve, to enlighten and to build. Like Myntdu brings light through power project, I want to bring light to the state. I see problems of governance, economy, education, unemployment of youth, hardships of poor mothers in villages and even in Shillong town. I want to serve, protect and bring development,” Nonglait said.
He also appealed to voters to forget past differences. “Vote for your candidate, people’s candidate Dr Nonglait. If you had misunderstanding in last election and were angry, I request you to forget and forgive.”
By Our Reporter
