Shillong, Sept 6: Politics and faith have one common mission – service the humanity, NPP candidate for Shillong Lok Sabha bye-lection Dr DRL Nonglait said while addressing a campaign rally at Maweit in West Khasi Hills.
He was responding to comments about his age and his background as a religious speaker.
“Some say I am too old to contest. Many old people are in politics, Bah Hoping was also old. Many times I have been chosen to speak on politics and religion in seminars,” he said.
Stating that politics and faith cannot be separated, he said, “Governance and religion have to work together. We cannot avoid religion and politics.”
“Even though we are from different faiths, we need to work with the governing powers for that one mission,” he added.
Recalling his journey from poverty to becoming an educator, Dr Nonglait said his life has been about service and hard work.
“You know me as a villager who lives on jhum cultivation like you – carrying firewood, thatch, weaving. Earlier I used to weave khoh, carry firewood and sell them for Rs 15 each at Kynshi,” he said.
“I didn’t get much chance to go to school, but God gave me wisdom. Even though I didn’t attend school regularly, teachers allowed me to write exams because I was poor and because of that I got many degrees,” he said.
“I worked in an office and reached the teaching profession, taught in secondary school and then college. I am telling my story not to boast but to inspire children studying in village schools like I did,” he said.
“Whether in the classroom, secular seminars or religious seminars, my duty is to improve, to enlighten and to build. Similarly in politics, my duty is the same,” he said.
‘Honour’ for West Khasi Hills
“West Khasi Hills has never been able to produce a representative. We got an MP for only 2 years. NPP has not discriminated against West Khasi Hills,” he said.
Calling for the people’s support in the upcoming polls, he said, “If Sniawbhalang says in Jaintia Hills Dr Nonglait will lead with a huge margin, in West Khasi Hills we must lead with an even bigger margin.”
He assured that if elected he would work without party bias. “As President of KAS I speak for Khasi, Pnar, Lyngam to grow in villages…I will work for all, there will be no party difference.”
Explaining why he chose NPP, Dr Nonglait said he took the decision after careful consideration.
“I am standing on this political platform after laying a strong foundation, after measuring and weighing it. Why am I working with this party? Because I see this party does good work,” he said.
He cited development works to back his claim. “We have CRD Block Shallang opened in 2022, at Nonglang also there is a block apart from many schemes… The Nongstoin-Rambrai-Kyrshai road is now very good and it is this government that brought it,” he said.
He said the MDA government has delivered on long-pending demands. “Just now in the Assembly it took a resolution to include Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule…. For ILP also it is this government that took the resolution and to make Khasi an official language,” he said.
He also highlighted his role as Director of the College Development Council.
“If you want funds to follow up projects from Delhi, elect an MP who is with the government and that is your own person Bah Rock.”
