VB Impact: Meghalaya house in B'luru to be functional by December, confirms Minister Rakkam Sangma
After years of delay, Meghalaya Government acts on students’ plea following Vartha Bharathi report
Bengaluru: In a major impact following Vartha Bharathi’s report on the long-pending demands of the Khasi Students' Union (KSU) Bengaluru unit, the Meghalaya government has announced that the much-awaited Meghalaya House in Bengaluru will become functional by the end of December 2025.
Education Minister Rakkam A. Sangma, who also holds the General Administration Department (GAD) portfolio, confirmed that both land and building for the Meghalaya House in Karnataka’s capital have been acquired. "We have paid, we have possessed the building… maximum before December we will start," he said during a media briefing on Wednesday.
According to Sangma, all financial procedures have been finalized, and only the furnishing and final administrative processes remain. "Once furnishing is done and other requirements are fulfilled, we will start operations. In the next three to four months, Meghalaya House in Bengaluru will be ready," he added.
The announcement comes days after Vartha Bharathi published a detailed ground report highlighting the concerns raised by Donboklang Nongphud, President of the KSU Bengaluru Unit. In the report, Nongphud stressed the urgent need for a dedicated state-run facility to assist Meghalaya residents, especially students, patients, and professionals residing in Bengaluru.
The Meghalaya House is expected to serve as a crucial support centre, providing affordable accommodation, official assistance, and a direct communication channel between the residents and the Meghalaya government. It will also help address ongoing issues related to discrimination, fraud by education agents, and the lack of state-level support mechanisms in the city.
“Happy with the announcement but not fully until we finally get the Meghalayay house”
Reacting to the news, Donboklang said, “We are happy, but not fully satisfied until we finally see the Meghalaya House functioning. In March too, a similar promise was made. This time, a document says that the land near Shivajinagar has been purchased. We should go and verify it.”
He further remarked, “I am only 70% hopeful. This demand has been pending for nearly a decade. Still, we appreciate this step.”
Don also lauded Vartha Bharathi’s coverage. “Your report reached Meghalaya. Journalists there picked it up and directly questioned the GAD Minister. Vartha Bharathi was the first to cover our story locally, and we thank you for highlighting our voices,” he said.
General Secretary of KSU’s Central Executive Council, Donald V. Thabah, after speaking to Minister Paul Lyngdoh confirmed that the acquired property near Shivajinagar spans over 5,000 square feet. “It’s a five-storey building with a basement, about 10 rooms, two suites, residential quarters for officials including an Assistant Resident Commissioner, and two dormitories, one each for boys and girls, accommodating 50 persons each.”
He noted that this facility, once functional, will greatly benefit the Khasi and broader Northeast community residing in Karnataka, especially Bengaluru, Mysuru and Mangaluru, which are education and employment hubs for people from the region.
“This demand dates back more than ten years. Our former presidents, including Mr. Rymphang Nongsiej, had taken up the matter with successive governments, both Congress and BJP. We have met GAD ministers, state leaders, and yet the project kept getting delayed,” said Thabah.
He emphasized the need for concrete outcomes this time, stating that while the recent announcement is welcome, KSU remains vigilant. “Until the inauguration happens, we won’t stop monitoring.”
Thabah also highlighted the critical need for such a government facility, noting that many students and job seekers from Meghalaya fall victim to fraudulent educational agents and employers in Karnataka. “They are lured by false promises of good colleges and jobs, but upon arriving here, reality is harsh. Meghalaya House will help us coordinate with Karnataka authorities and regulate these misleading practices,” he said.
Thabah also pointed out that Delhi has a functional Meghalaya House and a dedicated police unit for Northeast residents. “But Karnataka, which has a significantly larger Northeast population, lacks such facilities. A functional Meghalaya House here will not only support our people but also aid Karnataka authorities in managing data, providing assistance, and ensuring safety.”
What If the Deadline Fails Again?
When asked about the next course of action if the December deadline is missed, Thabah said that both the KSU Central Executive Council and Bengaluru unit would convene to talk and figure out further strategies to pressurize the government.
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MEA reports more than 200 Indians enlisted in Russian military since 2022; 26 deaths confirmed
More than 200 Indian nationals have joined the Russian armed forces since 2022, with 26 are confirmed dead, MEA—The Ministry of External Affairs have informed the Upper house of the Parliament: Rajya Sabha.
In a written response, the Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, has stated that at least 202 Indians are reported to have joined the Russian army. Among these recruited personnels, 26 have lost their lives; while, seven individuals have been reported missing by Russian authorities. He added that the remains of two deceased Indian nationals were cremated in Russia.
Singh noted that the sustained diplomatic efforts by the Indian government have led to the early discharge of 119 individuals. He further added that the discussions are going smoothly with the Russians to secure the release of the remaining personnel, with efforts underway to facilitate the early discharge of 50 more Indian nationals.
According to the minister, the Union government is in contact with Russian authorities to ensure the safety, welfare, and prompt return of Indian citizens serving in the Russian army. The issue, he said, is being addressed at multiple levels, including interactions between senior leaders, ministers, and officials of both countries.
The said disclosure was made in response to queries raised by Saket Gokhale, the MP of Trinamool Congress, and Randeep Singh Surjewala, the MP of INC, regarding the number of Indians allegedly recruited into the military service in Russia; Along with the details of deaths and missing persons reported since 2022.
