Success Stories

Dr. (Ms) Isabelle Marbaniang

Isabelle Marbaniang, born on 1st December, 1968 and daughter of Smt. Siwilda Marbaniang and Shri. Mestonath Kharshandi staying in Riatsamthiah, Shillong , is a person with locomotor disability. Despite her disability, Isabelle completed matriculation in the year 1985 form St Joseph's Girls High School. Later, she joined St. Mary's College for her degree and further pursued Masters degree in North Eastern Hills University (NEHU) in the Department of Political Science. She also completed her B.Ed and in the year 2010, she was awarded Ph.D degree from NEHU while simultaneously serving as a Senior grade Lecturer in DIET, Sohra.

Being a new educational set up DIET, Sohra was not accessible for people with disabilities in terms of infrastructure and other amenities as well. However, this did not dampen her enthusiasm and she strove forward to perform her role as a teacher educator to the utmost.

Dr. (Ms.) Isabelle Marbaniang's contributions were not limited only to the four walls of the classrooms in DIET., Sohra alone, but, despite her disability she even ventured to other places, particularly rural areas, as a Resource Person for many In-Service Training Programmes, to impart training on various new approaches to teaching.

Therefore, it can be said that Dr. (Ms.) Isabelle Marbaniang is an inspiration and a role model not only to the student teachers of DIET., Sohra alone, but to the faculty and staff of the Institute and the teachers and people of the society as a whole. She has become an indispensable part of the community of Teachers Educators in the District and the State as well, as is seen in the contributions she has made.

Mr. Banjoplang Nongsiej

Mr. Banjoplang Nongsiej, born on 26th December, 1988, son of Rev. R.H. Lyngkhoi and (L) Yimtary M. Nongsiej, is a person with hearing impairment. He did his schooling from School & Centre for the Hearing Handicapped, Laitumkhrah up to class VI and completed matriculation from St. Louis Institute for the Deaf, Adyar Chennai. He further pursued his graduation in B.Tech (Computer Science) from Kalasalingam University, Chennai.

Despite his disability, he is well acquainted with the art of playing the piano and has completed his piano grade 1 from Trinity College, London.

He completed his SSLC examination in 2007 and secured a first division with distinction in English and Mathematics. After that he pursued B.Tech (Computer Science) which he completed successfully from Kalasalingam University in the year 2012. Among the hearing impaired, he was the first B. Tech student from North East India.

Banjoplang Nongsiej was working as an assistant programmer, in the field of disabilities, Govt. of Meghalaya, in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre, Meghalaya. He was solely responsible for developing the sign language videos in the government websites. He is currently working in the Directorate of Social Welfare Government of Meghalaya

Mr. Hubert Paliar

Mr. Hubert Paliar, born on 17th January, 1990 is a person with hearing impairment residing in Mawrok Village, Nongstoin, West Khasi Hills. He was trained as a professional baker and joined a business unit called Home Delights Bakers & Confectioners.

Hubert was interested in the field of sports since his childhood, particularly football and arm wrestling. He participated in the Meghalaya arm wrestling championship in the month of May 2015 and won first place. He further participated in the 40th National arm wrestling championship held at G.H. Raisoni Polytechnic, Sharadha Park, Nagpur, Maharashtra, 2016 and secured the gold medal in the 60 Kg category.

Mr. Polgen Sangma

Mr. Polgen Sangme, village Godalgre, Betasing Block, Ampati, S.W. Garo Hills, Meghalaya was born in 1972, in Dipogre village, under Selsella block, Both his eyes got damaged at the age of six, in a fire accident. He completed his primary education in St. Mary's School, Tura and secured 1st Division in the Elementary School Board Examinations. He completed his class VIII from Don Bosco School, Tura. He then did a course in Agriculture in Phandsa, Gujarat and continued his skill training in Bethany Society till the year 2000.

In 2004, he was recruited into the Bethany Society CBR Team to work in the West Garo Hills. For the last 12 years he has toured more than 300 villages in the different Blocks, identifying persons with disability, linking them to Government Progammes such SSA, DRDA, CM, Social Assistance Scheme. He trains persons with visual impairment in Braille, Orientation and Mobility, Functional Literacy and numeracy and agriculture. He has initiated at least 15 Disabled Persons Organisations in the different Blocks of the West Garo Hills and is a leader in promoting the rights of persons with disability through advocacy with the Government. Through support from his village he has built a Cluster Centre for training persons with disability in his own village, Goldalgre.

Polgen is married to Sakilla Marak who is also visually impaired and both of them have live in Village Saka Boldamgre, with dignity along with their own children.

Polgen is an example of a model citizen who in spite of his impairment is self sufficient, economically independent and lives a dignified life. He is also contributing to society through his work as a CBR practitioner in the most remote villages of the Garo Hills.

Mr. Kelvin Suting

Mr. Kelvin Suting, Village Moosakhia, Amlarem Block, West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, was born blind in 1981. In spite of socio-economic hurdles, with heavy determinacy he managed to face all the challenges and move ahead in life. In 2001, he was enrolled in Roiland Livelihood Academy, Shillong where he quickly picked up skills in cane and bamboo handicrafts and broom making and enterprise development. During his training he also availed the opportunity to complete a one year training in massage in New Delhi.

Kelvin was always interested in setting up his own business and become economically independent and also supports his family.

Through loans from National Handicapped Finance Development Corporation, Kelvin set up his own business in broom making in 2009 and repaid the loan in record time. He took a second loan and support from the Industries Department and now has five persons working for him. He has organised his own marketing chain in Shillong and his brooms are renowed for quality.

He also set up a fishery pond through the Fishery Department. His massage skills have lured many clients to him both from his village and Shillong as a whole.

He has proved that creativity and business is not determined by ability but through willingness. He is an inspiration for his entrepreneurship not only for the differently abled but also for the general public as a whole.

Mr. Mai Mai Laloo

Mr. Mai Mai Laloo, Loompyrdi Iongpiah, Jowai was born on 22nd March, 1987 and is the third from amongst his seven siblings. He is the son of Smt. Rila Laloo and Shri. Baland Lakiang from Loompyrdi Iongpiah, Jowai and is presently staying in Runjah, Shillong.

Mai Mai was born a normal child but became disabled at the age of one and a half year due to sickness. This disability did not discourage him but he strived to live a normal life like other children. He went to school at the age of four at Sein Raij School, Jowai and later at the age of nine years he continued his studies in a special school, Bethany Society, Shillong and passed matriculation through NIO's, Shillong. He completed his class XII from IGNOU, Shillong and is presently pursuing Bachelor's Degree in the Arts stream. He has also completed his Bachelor degree in Computer Applications from Ferrando Speech and Hearing Centre, Ri-Bhoi District, undergone training in making artificial limbs and also completed Diploma in Acupressure form Mumbai.

Besides education, Mai Mai is also enthusiastic in sports and games. He has represented the State in football and sports for the handicapped held in Delhi and was also selected from North East to represent the deaf and dumb conference held in Australia. Also won the Arm Wrestling Competition in Meghalaya and was chosen to represent the state. His greatest achievement was winning the Silver Medal in 75 Kg category in the 40th National Arm Wrestling Championship 2016 held in Nagpur, Maharashtra.