Elvina Khangshou
It’s not just a request anymore, it’s us standing firm and asking for solutions that should have been provided since time immemorial.
The adversity that has raised concerns among the scholars of St. Joseph’s College (A) Jakhama is not just a local matter. The road for which we seek proper, quick and adequate restoration for, by its name is known as the National Highway 2 (NH-2) in India which is a major highway that primarily traverses the north-eastern states connecting not just one or two but 4 states namely- Dibrugarh in Assam to Tuipang in Mizoram, passing through Nagaland and Manipur as well and is approximately 1,325.6 kilometers (823.7 miles) long. This adversity has hindered movements of goods, state economy, healthcare, etc., and now is also affecting education of the students of our college.
Day scholars have risked their life numerous times just to attend lectures passing through heavy landslide prone area with constant fear of death when offline classes could have been inducted until the restoration is completed. And yet, the risker and more dangerous alternate routes were given as a compensation? Did we forget the billions who lost their lives due to natural calamities? Are we to play God and say that when thousands of day scholars and travellers are passing by another tragic landslide or mudslide won’t occur which might take lives? Are we to just simply wait for news of death to actually take the matter in hand seriously? Who are we to just sit idly when in the name of education the future of tomorrow’s are paying the price everyday by risking their lives? Will there be a better tomorrow when it’s intellects, industrialist, doctors, lawyers, farmers, artisans, etc., die all because we couldn’t do better today?
Where are the leaders that promised the change and better tomorrow? Where are the elders who promised to protect us? Where are the youths that boast of working for the society? Where are the media who promised to uncover every story? Is death the only option we have for someone to truly notice us?
It’s not a fight against each other, it’s a fight against the nature which we have no control over. It’s not a time to just sit idly and blame each other, it’s a time to join our hands together and bring the solutions!
Elvina Khangshou is a B.A 5th Semester student in the Dept of Political Science, St. Joseph’s College (A) Jakhama
