Jun Taki

Dambuk, a veritable paradise inhabited by two communities –Adi & Idu Mishmi, widely known as ‘Land of Oranges’, life here has not changed a bit even after 70 years of Independence for its people as they are still awaiting government attention to take them a little farther in terms of development.

Compromising cluster of villages, Dambuk, a thinly populated area which remains cut-off from the rest of the state almost 6-7 months in a year, its people are still living in a primitive state with no proper roads, internet connectivity, health care and bank facility.

The best example of the monumental neglect of the area is the Government Higher Secondary School, Dambuk which paints a dismal picture of the country’s future. Established in 1946 and since left to its means, the school where the state’s first IAS officer, Jomin Tayeng   studied will surely put any haunted house to shame, with its crumbling walls and roofs.

It’s heartening to see that despite the dilapidated infrastructure, regular classes are being held uninterruptedly, thanks to undeterred students who brave through the summer, monsoon and winter.

While shortage of potable water, lack of lab equipment and basic toilets facilities etc mires the school, it is the absence of subject teachers to teach Biology, Chemistry which is severely effecting the academic progression of students, informed Vice Principal, N Pertin.

 “We are lucky that this year a single student has enrolled in science stream otherwise it would be difficult for us to teach them without subject teachers,” he said.

 “We are trying our best that at least she (the lone student) gets pass marks despite such conditions, so that she can pursue her higher studies in a good college,” Pertin added citing risk in accommodating more students as he fears that the trembling roof can collapse anytime.

“The government had sanctioned 10 crores for construction of new school building and the proposed place has been already identified and approved,” Pertin said but added that it will take years for the building infrastructure to come up.

Yet, the school has been registering a good pass percentage despite such poor conditions.

Pertin, however said that renovation of infrastructure is not in the list of priority, but sufficient ST subject teachers are needed immediately for conducting proper academic session which is the main target.

Further showing this scribe a memorandum seeking  subject teachers, Pertin  is hopeful that the education minister who is scheduled to visit  Lower Dibang Valley sometime in January  would  mitigate  their misery.

Currently, there are more than 400 students studying in this school. There are about six teachers out of which only two is regular. The others include two Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan teachers and two JT teachers.

Requesting anonymity, a teacher said he is proud of the students who sit quietly, enduring the scorching heat or the biting cold in their classroom to take their lessons.

Moreover a parent woefully stated that the school had sufficient enrollment few years ago, but the strength is declining as now parents are sending their wards to Roing to ensure better chance at education.

Moreover locals especially the womenfolk also lament the need for a Pediatrician and Gynecologist in the lone community health centre (CHC), where delivery cases are being handled by Nurses putting the life of mothers and their unborn children at risk.

Informing about the hardships, a staffer of the CHC said that during rainy season when Dambuk is surrounded  by water it becomes difficult even for ferries to cross the roaring rivers to attend to medical emergencies.

She recalled few cases where women gave birth on vehicles on the way to Pasighat and a rare case where a woman delivered her child while travelling on an elephant, which are being used to carry patients or people during emergencies to cross the rivers.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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