Meet the star performers of Khasi department
By T F L MAWLONG & ROSE MARY LYNGDOH
Meet the star performers of Khasi department
Part 2 of the two parts articles:
Anything is possible.
as long as you are true to yourself
and never give up. even when the world
seems to say. stop!
-Estlin’s first poem.
In a similar overtone to above poem stood Royaltimeris Kharmaw and her friends-Sarida Khongwet and Larisa Khongtiang who fought a brave fight against all odds during their graduation. We are moved by their stories. These students were supporting themselves as domestic workers while attending morning classes at Sankardev College.
It would have been nice if they could attend Day shift classes, but for them ‘day class’ is a luxury they can’t affort to have. Waking up by 5 every morning, they would quickly finish the domestic chores and settle down for half an hour or so to study before leaving for classes. After the morning classes they slog in domestic works all day long till dinner.
For Royaltimeris, Sarita and Larisa, these long hours of domestic works were what earned them the wage with which they fed themselves, paid their college fees, bought their stationeries, etc. While Royaltimeris work as a full time domestic helper in one house only, Sarida works in an hourly basis as domestic helper in 4 houses besides cleaning a church 3 times a week. A brave heart and good time management were their currency of survival.
Meet the admirable brave hearts of Sankardev College:
Royaltimeris Kharmaw:
Hailing from Tlongpdeng Village in Ranikor block, South West Khasi hills district, Royaltimeris has secured a sweet 9th position in B.A Khasi honours.
Despite being self supporting all through her college days, she is active in Iatei club of Khasi department. This club has nurtured her talent in poetry and developed a confidence in her.
She likes writing poetry and her mantra for success is: “Respect the Teachers”. Royaltimeris aim in life is to inspire the students as a teacher of Khasi literature.
Sarita Khongset:
Hailing from Laitmynriang, Pynursla, Sarita Joined the Khasi department of the college as a low second class in 12th standard she secured a plumpy first class in B.A Khasi honours against all the odds of supporting herself. We are very proud of her.
She likes debating and her mantra for success is: “Study hard even if you are earning a livelihood alongside your study, and have patience”
Larisa Khongtiang
Larisa is from Nohwet Villagage in MAwlynnong. She joined the Khasi department of the college as an academically, socially and economically weak student, Larisa managed to secure a high 2nd class. She fought a good fight. We are so proud of her.
She likes reading stories. Her mantra for success is: “Be regular to class, manage your time well and work hard”
With her Characteristic subtlety and sensitivity to nuance, Madam B. Kharwanlang (Khasi Department) shares:
“Royaltimeris is very anxious to complete her graduation but her parents could not affort to provide the necessary support. That is why she tried her level best to support herself by working as a domestic helper”.
“Sarita who got 1st class and Larisa who got 2nd class are our students who are facing lots of hardships by working as domestic helper. They are very inspiring”.
If their Success isn’t Something to be proud of, What is?
Three cheers to Khasi department!
“To me teaching is a holy calling, especially with the students less likely to succeed. It’s the gift not only of not giving up on people, but of even figuring out where to begin”
-Anne Lamott (Author of Stitches: a handbook of meaning, hope and repair)