COLLEGE FOUNDATION
In the event to mark the establishment of the District Headquarters of West Khasi Hills District in Nongstoin, a group of sensible and enlightened persons including the youth, were thinking of setting up a College in order to pave the way to higher studies for those rural students, who otherwise would not get a chance to study elsewhere. Alas! On the request of the people and especially the youth, Dr. Sanderson Dkhar came forward and met (Late) Capt. Williamson A. Sangma, the then Chief Minister, Meghalaya, and asked for a Government College at Nongstoin. But the Chief Minister rather advised the Doctor : “Go and start the College on your own, the Government will come later.”
Consequently, the First Adhoc Managing Committee for starting the College was held on 21st April, 1978 where Shri. M.S. Pangtey, IAS and Deputy Commissioner was the first Chairman and Dr. Sanderson Dkhar as the First Secretary. Hence, the Nongstoin College (a Co-educational Institution) was established on 1st August, 1978. The main objective in establishing the College is to bring the status of the intellectual, academic and cultural advancement keeping in view the socio-economic development of the District in general and Nongstoin proper in particular, at par with the rest of the State and the country.
The College started its first classes for the first year Pre-University (Arts) Course in the evening (or Night Shift) at the Block Information Centre (as kindly permitted by the Directorate C&RD, Meghalaya) on 1st August, 1978 with Shri. S.B. Sohmat as the Founder Principal. The College was inaugurated officially by Shri. S.D. Khongwir, Dy. Chief Minister, Meghalaya on 19.09.1978. The main Subjects introduced were: English, Khasi (MIL), History, Education, Political Science, Economics and Second Language (Khasi). Shri. Wilford S. Boney took over the office of Principal from Shri. S. Bidiman Sohmat in October, 1979. The Nongstoin Syiemship was the Sponsoring Body of the College at the initial stage but later, i.e., on 1st May, 1980 the Nongstoin Youth Welfare Organisation (NYWO) took over from the Syiem and ventured to sponsor the College. The College remained as a Private Institution till September, 1981. For two to three years, the Youths were working so hard, slogging day and night, begging the 5 paise/10 paise, organizing Fete(s) and other activities, collecting donations from whoever or wherever possible in order to raise fund for the College and especially how to meet the Salary of the Staff.
Initially, when the College was not yet recognized by the authority concerned, with the kind permission extended by Shillong College, Shillong, the students had to enroll and appear their Final P.U.(Arts) Examinations for the two consecutive years, that is, in 1980 and 1981 from that Centre.
The year 1981 will always be in the saga of the College because it was on 22nd April, 1981, that the Inspection Team, from the North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, inspected the College for the first time for granting of affiliation. The members were: Prof. T. Mathew, Dean of Social Sciences, Prof. R.L. Walli, Head Department of Political Science, and Prof. S.N. Rao, Head Department of History. Consequently, the College was granted with Temporary Affiliation from the University in August, 1981, for the Pre-University (Arts) Course. In the same year, the College was granted with Adhoc Grant-in-Aid for 7(seven) Teaching and 4(four) Non-teaching Staff from the Government of Meghalaya with effect from 1st October, 1981. Since then, the Course was also started in the Day Shift. The College was also declared as one of the Centres of Examinations with effect from March, 1982. Shri. S. Bhattacharjee, Lecturer Lady Keane College was the first External Invigilator.
The Office of the Principal was handed over to Shri. B.K. Laitflang, Lecturer, Economics, by the Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills District, on 6th December, 1983 to in charge as Acting Principal. Later, when he was selected by the Interview Board as Full-fledged Principal, Shri. B.K. Laitflang joined the Post on 1st September, 1984.
On 4th April, 1984, the College shifted to the building graciously provided by Dr. Sanderson Dkhar where the Managing Committee paid only a reasonable amount of rent as a token. This Building has got its own significance when Smt. Prisca Nongbri created a history when she scored the First Position in the Final P.U. (Arts) Old Course conducted by the North Easter Hill University, in 1986.
In 1986, two students came forward and requested the College authority to open up the Degree Course. The students were: Shri. Phosterland Hoojon and Shri. Wester Swangre. In compliance to their prayer, the College tied up with Seng Khasi College, Shillong, for their enrolment. Both of them appeared the Final BA Examination held in March, 1988. However, it was Shri. Hoojon only who could come out successfully as the first product of the College.
In 1986, from among the Emblems submitted by some of the Contestants (Artists), the Emblem with the Motto – LEARN TO SERVE as conceived and designed by Shri. B.K. Laitflang, Principal, was selected and approved by the Managing Committee to be the Emblem of the College henceforth.
Understanding the need of the College to have a permanent land of its own, the Syiem of Nongstoin with his Office kindly donated a plot of land at Law-ap, which is at least sufficient to construct the College Building. When the College organized a Decade Celebration at the Block Information Centre on 4th November, 1988, the Foundation Stone for the construction of College Building was also laid down by the Chief Guest, Shri. D.D. Lapang, Dy. Chief Minister & Minister of Education, at Law-ap.
Understanding that the land donated by the Syiem and his Office might not be sufficient for construction of other buildings, like Hostels, Quarters, etc.., the Nongstoin Youth Welfare Organisation therefore, made out an effort to acquire the site at Nongpyndeng from Smt. I. Syiem in 1989 at a negligible amount that was paid as a token only.
Temporary Affiliation for the Degree (Arts) Pass Course was granted by the University in 1990, with the same Subjects including Sociology.
In 1993, basing on the Plan and Estimate prepared and designed by Shri. J.S. Cajee, Architect, the First Phase (Basement) of the College Building and some Temporary ones were constructed by Shri. R.R. Nongsiej at the Permanent site in Nongpyndeng. On completion of the above buildings, the College finally shifted to the permanent site in December, 1993. It is ideally located at a place about 5Km from the heart of Nongstoin Town and well connected by the public transport system.
This is the Premier College located at the Headquarters of the largest, richest and most beautiful District in Meghalaya. Not known to many, due to lack of infrastructures and inaccessibility, the potential District remains uncared or rather mis-utilised. However, one should know and see that Nongstoin is surrounded by the natural scenic beauty, fully surrounded by beautiful Hills, Rivers and Waterfalls, Flora and Fauna; important and rich minerals resources are also deposited here to a large extent and at the most it is being occupied by innocent and patriotic people who sacrificed their life for their tomorrow.
The College was then up-graded to the Deficit Status on 1st April, 1996. The story prior to the Deficitisation of the College was a heart-rending situation. Hence, while preparing this note, I cannot but express the truth. It was when Shri. L. Roy, IAS, was the Director of Public Instruction that the matter took place. A man of integrity and strong principle, who left no stone unturned, he personally took great care in processing the matter and he was all out to see that Nongstoin College (the deserving one) should get the Deficit Status. True to his expertise, we are so grateful, the matter was approved and granted. But most importantly, I, on behalf of the College, give thanks to God Almighty, the Politician above all politicians, who never leave the College at all times and who used his people according to His time.
The Nongstoin Youth Welfare Organization celebrated the Up-gradation of Nongstoin College to the Deficit System on 6th June, 1997 where Shri. S.C. Marak, Chief Minister and Shri. C.B. Marak, Minister, Education attended and graced the function as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively. Shri. H.S. Lyngdoh, MLA was also present. On the same day the Chief Guest inaugurated the building.
The Ground Floor was then constructed by Shri. S. Dkhar, Contractor, in 2001. Shri. O.L. Nongtdu, MP Rajya Sabha, inaugurated the building on 8th February, 2002.
The College was granted with PERMANENT AFFILIATION with seven subjects as Honours, on 1st July, 2003, the period when the Principal, Shri. B.K. Laitflang was the member of the Academic Council, NEHU.
After long struggles and hardships and in the midst of thorns and inflictions, through God’s presence and blessings the College could survive and overcome all the odds and ultimately celebrated the TWENTYFIFTH BIRTHDAY on 1st August, 2003 with grandeur. On this occasion, The Silver Jubilee Celebration Committee, under the Chairmanship of the President, Governing Body, Shri. D.K. Dkhar, IAS and Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills District, was constituted with the assistance of different Sub-Committees. Different Committees conducted different activities through out the year as a mark of celebration. The year long Celebration was inaugurated by Shri. D.D. Lapang, Chief Minister, Meghalaya, in the presence of many other VIPs. Justifying his own statement: “This College deserves more than its demand,” Shri. D.D. Lapang publicly announced a sanction of Rs. 10, 00,000/- (Rupees Ten Lacs) for the extension of the Building.
Consequently, the First Adhoc Managing Committee for starting the College was held on 21st April, 1978 where Shri. M.S. Pangtey, IAS and Deputy Commissioner was the first Chairman and Dr. Sanderson Dkhar as the First Secretary. Hence, the Nongstoin College (a Co-educational Institution) was established on 1st August, 1978. The main objective in establishing the College is to bring the status of the intellectual, academic and cultural advancement keeping in view the socio-economic development of the District in general and Nongstoin proper in particular, at par with the rest of the State and the country.
The College started its first classes for the first year Pre-University (Arts) Course in the evening (or Night Shift) at the Block Information Centre (as kindly permitted by the Directorate C&RD, Meghalaya) on 1st August, 1978 with Shri. S.B. Sohmat as the Founder Principal. The College was inaugurated officially by Shri. S.D. Khongwir, Dy. Chief Minister, Meghalaya on 19.09.1978. The main Subjects introduced were: English, Khasi (MIL), History, Education, Political Science, Economics and Second Language (Khasi). Shri. Wilford S. Boney took over the office of Principal from Shri. S. Bidiman Sohmat in October, 1979. The Nongstoin Syiemship was the Sponsoring Body of the College at the initial stage but later, i.e., on 1st May, 1980 the Nongstoin Youth Welfare Organisation (NYWO) took over from the Syiem and ventured to sponsor the College. The College remained as a Private Institution till September, 1981. For two to three years, the Youths were working so hard, slogging day and night, begging the 5 paise/10 paise, organizing Fete(s) and other activities, collecting donations from whoever or wherever possible in order to raise fund for the College and especially how to meet the Salary of the Staff.
Initially, when the College was not yet recognized by the authority concerned, with the kind permission extended by Shillong College, Shillong, the students had to enroll and appear their Final P.U.(Arts) Examinations for the two consecutive years, that is, in 1980 and 1981 from that Centre.
The year 1981 will always be in the saga of the College because it was on 22nd April, 1981, that the Inspection Team, from the North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, inspected the College for the first time for granting of affiliation. The members were: Prof. T. Mathew, Dean of Social Sciences, Prof. R.L. Walli, Head Department of Political Science, and Prof. S.N. Rao, Head Department of History. Consequently, the College was granted with Temporary Affiliation from the University in August, 1981, for the Pre-University (Arts) Course. In the same year, the College was granted with Adhoc Grant-in-Aid for 7(seven) Teaching and 4(four) Non-teaching Staff from the Government of Meghalaya with effect from 1st October, 1981. Since then, the Course was also started in the Day Shift. The College was also declared as one of the Centres of Examinations with effect from March, 1982. Shri. S. Bhattacharjee, Lecturer Lady Keane College was the first External Invigilator.
The Office of the Principal was handed over to Shri. B.K. Laitflang, Lecturer, Economics, by the Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills District, on 6th December, 1983 to in charge as Acting Principal. Later, when he was selected by the Interview Board as Full-fledged Principal, Shri. B.K. Laitflang joined the Post on 1st September, 1984.
On 4th April, 1984, the College shifted to the building graciously provided by Dr. Sanderson Dkhar where the Managing Committee paid only a reasonable amount of rent as a token. This Building has got its own significance when Smt. Prisca Nongbri created a history when she scored the First Position in the Final P.U. (Arts) Old Course conducted by the North Easter Hill University, in 1986.
In 1986, two students came forward and requested the College authority to open up the Degree Course. The students were: Shri. Phosterland Hoojon and Shri. Wester Swangre. In compliance to their prayer, the College tied up with Seng Khasi College, Shillong, for their enrolment. Both of them appeared the Final BA Examination held in March, 1988. However, it was Shri. Hoojon only who could come out successfully as the first product of the College.
In 1986, from among the Emblems submitted by some of the Contestants (Artists), the Emblem with the Motto – LEARN TO SERVE as conceived and designed by Shri. B.K. Laitflang, Principal, was selected and approved by the Managing Committee to be the Emblem of the College henceforth.
Understanding the need of the College to have a permanent land of its own, the Syiem of Nongstoin with his Office kindly donated a plot of land at Law-ap, which is at least sufficient to construct the College Building. When the College organized a Decade Celebration at the Block Information Centre on 4th November, 1988, the Foundation Stone for the construction of College Building was also laid down by the Chief Guest, Shri. D.D. Lapang, Dy. Chief Minister & Minister of Education, at Law-ap.
Understanding that the land donated by the Syiem and his Office might not be sufficient for construction of other buildings, like Hostels, Quarters, etc.., the Nongstoin Youth Welfare Organisation therefore, made out an effort to acquire the site at Nongpyndeng from Smt. I. Syiem in 1989 at a negligible amount that was paid as a token only.
Temporary Affiliation for the Degree (Arts) Pass Course was granted by the University in 1990, with the same Subjects including Sociology.
In 1993, basing on the Plan and Estimate prepared and designed by Shri. J.S. Cajee, Architect, the First Phase (Basement) of the College Building and some Temporary ones were constructed by Shri. R.R. Nongsiej at the Permanent site in Nongpyndeng. On completion of the above buildings, the College finally shifted to the permanent site in December, 1993. It is ideally located at a place about 5Km from the heart of Nongstoin Town and well connected by the public transport system.
This is the Premier College located at the Headquarters of the largest, richest and most beautiful District in Meghalaya. Not known to many, due to lack of infrastructures and inaccessibility, the potential District remains uncared or rather mis-utilised. However, one should know and see that Nongstoin is surrounded by the natural scenic beauty, fully surrounded by beautiful Hills, Rivers and Waterfalls, Flora and Fauna; important and rich minerals resources are also deposited here to a large extent and at the most it is being occupied by innocent and patriotic people who sacrificed their life for their tomorrow.
The College was then up-graded to the Deficit Status on 1st April, 1996. The story prior to the Deficitisation of the College was a heart-rending situation. Hence, while preparing this note, I cannot but express the truth. It was when Shri. L. Roy, IAS, was the Director of Public Instruction that the matter took place. A man of integrity and strong principle, who left no stone unturned, he personally took great care in processing the matter and he was all out to see that Nongstoin College (the deserving one) should get the Deficit Status. True to his expertise, we are so grateful, the matter was approved and granted. But most importantly, I, on behalf of the College, give thanks to God Almighty, the Politician above all politicians, who never leave the College at all times and who used his people according to His time.
The Nongstoin Youth Welfare Organization celebrated the Up-gradation of Nongstoin College to the Deficit System on 6th June, 1997 where Shri. S.C. Marak, Chief Minister and Shri. C.B. Marak, Minister, Education attended and graced the function as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively. Shri. H.S. Lyngdoh, MLA was also present. On the same day the Chief Guest inaugurated the building.
The Ground Floor was then constructed by Shri. S. Dkhar, Contractor, in 2001. Shri. O.L. Nongtdu, MP Rajya Sabha, inaugurated the building on 8th February, 2002.
The College was granted with PERMANENT AFFILIATION with seven subjects as Honours, on 1st July, 2003, the period when the Principal, Shri. B.K. Laitflang was the member of the Academic Council, NEHU.
After long struggles and hardships and in the midst of thorns and inflictions, through God’s presence and blessings the College could survive and overcome all the odds and ultimately celebrated the TWENTYFIFTH BIRTHDAY on 1st August, 2003 with grandeur. On this occasion, The Silver Jubilee Celebration Committee, under the Chairmanship of the President, Governing Body, Shri. D.K. Dkhar, IAS and Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills District, was constituted with the assistance of different Sub-Committees. Different Committees conducted different activities through out the year as a mark of celebration. The year long Celebration was inaugurated by Shri. D.D. Lapang, Chief Minister, Meghalaya, in the presence of many other VIPs. Justifying his own statement: “This College deserves more than its demand,” Shri. D.D. Lapang publicly announced a sanction of Rs. 10, 00,000/- (Rupees Ten Lacs) for the extension of the Building.
