[By Adv. Kerlang Ksoo, Dkhiah West Village, East Jaintia Hills District]
As the 78th Independence Day was celebrated with great pomp and ceremony across the country, one would expect such a day to be marked by pride, unity, and a sense of national accomplishment. Unfortunately, for the students who participated in the celebrations at Khliehriat on the 15th August, 2024 in East Jaintia Hills District, the experience was marred by gross negligence and disregard for their health and well-being.
Being a responsible resident of the District, I, express my complete dissatisfaction and profound disagreement with the manner in which the District Administration handled the provision of lunch for the students. Students who were required to be at the venue as early as 7:30 AM, had to endure the entire program on an empty stomach. The food that was eventually served to them was not only inadequate in quantity but also spoiled, emitting strong odors and pungent smells that posed serious health risks.
In the midst of changing weather conditions, which already made the students vulnerable to sickness, it is unconscionable that they were subjected to such deplorable treatment. The food appeared to have been prepared the night before the event, rather than freshly on the day, raising serious questions about the quality control and safety measures employed by those responsible.
The very idea that such substandard food was provided to the young participants of a national event is not only disappointing but deeply troubling. It begs the question: Is this the standard of care and consideration that our District Administration holds for the students of our community? Are we to believe that the well-being of our children, who represent the future of this nation, is so easily disregarded?
The officials tasked with arranging the lunch on this significant occasion must be held accountable for their actions—or lack thereof. This is not merely an issue of poor management; it is a blatant disregard for the health and safety of our students, and it cannot be tolerated.
This incident is, by far, one of the most regrettable occurrences in the history of Independence Day celebrations in our district. It reflects a systemic failure that requires immediate redress. The District Administration must take full responsibility for this negligence and ensure that such an incident is never repeated.
The health and safety of our students should never be compromised, especially on a day of national importance. We owe it to them—and to the principles of this great nation—to demand better, to hold those in power accountable, and to ensure that our children are treated with the care and respect they deserve.
It is my earnest hope that this incident serves as a wake-up call for the District Administration and that immediate steps are taken to rectify this grave oversight. The future of our nation depends on how we treat our children today. Let us not fail them.