SHILLONG : The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU) has submitted a memorandum to Arts and Culture Minister Paul Lyngdoh Sanbor Shullai, urging the government to immediately dismantle and reconstruct the dilapidated District Library Auditorium in Jowai.
The union stated that the existing auditorium has deteriorated significantly over the years and is no longer safe for hosting educational, cultural, and public programmes. According to the memorandum, poor infrastructure, damaged roofing, and weakened structural integrity have rendered the building unsuitable for public use.
JSU emphasized that Jowai, being the headquarters of West Jaintia Hills district, urgently requires a modern and safe public facility that can cater to academic, cultural, and community activities. The union argued that temporary repairs would no longer address the condition of the building and called for the construction of a new state-of-the-art auditorium.
In addition to the reconstruction proposal, the union has requested that the new facility be named the “Late Prof. Barrister Pakem District Library” in honour of the former Vice-Chancellor of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU).
The students’ body described Late Prof. Barrister Pakem as one of Meghalaya’s most respected intellectuals and educationists whose contributions to society and higher education continue to inspire generations.
JSU said naming the institution after him would serve as a fitting tribute to his legacy while motivating future generations of students across the state.
The union has urged the Department of Arts and Culture to take immediate action on the proposal and provide Jowai with a modern auditorium that can serve as a centre for youth development, cultural preservation, and academic engagement.