Nongpoh: For the people of Pahamjula village in Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district, electricity had become a forgotten hope. For 18 long years, the village lived in darkness—until recently, when their plight finally caught the attention of the state government.
Home to 77 households in the Jirang constituency, Pahamjula lost power in 2007 after a transformer failure. Since then, daily life after sunset has been defined by limitation.
Children studied under candlelight or solar lamps, meals were prepared in dim lighting, and elders gathered in shadows—all adapting to a reality where electricity was missing for nearly two decades.
The turning point came after villagers, led by Jirang MLA Sosthenus Sohtun, made a direct plea to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma.
Responding promptly, the government repaired the long-defunct transformer, restoring power to the village within three days.
Sangma also visited Pahamjula alongside the MLA to personally witness the community’s long-overdue return to light.
The visit was marked by emotion. Residents, visibly moved, welcomed the chief minister with gratitude and tears.
Many described the return of electricity as “a return from hell,” a stark reflection of the neglect and hardship they had endured for years.
“This kind of neglect is unacceptable,” the chief minister said during his visit. “It is our responsibility to always listen to and resolve the concerns of our people.”
His visit was part of the CM-Connect Impact initiative, a program aimed at bridging the gap between government and remote communities.
The restoration of power in Pahamjula was more than a technical fix—it was an acknowledgment of long-ignored suffering and a step toward healing and inclusion.
“This may seem like a small achievement,” the chief minister added, “but after 18 years of waiting, this moment carries immense meaning.”
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Sohtun expressed his appreciation for the chief minister’s swift response and highlighted the pressing need for further development—especially in road connectivity and electrification for other remote and underserved villages in the region.
The chief minister also emphasised the importance of making future village visits more community-driven—suggesting that meals for such events be prepared by locals, using local produce, to further foster engagement and economic support.
