Shillong, May 7: The National People’s Party (NPP) on Thursday has announced academician and educationist Dr D. Rockyer Lyngdoh Nonglait as its candidate for the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha by-election.
Widely known in academic and literary circles as the long-serving president of the Khasi Author Society (KAS), Dr Nonglait has built a distinguished career in higher education, research, literary studies and language advocacy in Meghalaya.
Currently serving as Professor in the Department of Khasi and Director of the College Development Council at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Dr Nonglait is regarded as one of the prominent voices in Khasi language and cultural studies in the state.
Over the years, he has contributed extensively to academics through teaching, research, policy formulation, institutional leadership and literary writing. He has also been closely associated with the movement demanding inclusion of the Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Academic Journey
Dr Nonglait completed his B.Com and B.A. (Honours) from NEHU before pursuing an M.A. in Khasi from the same university. He later obtained an M.A. in Christian Studies from the University of Madras, followed by M.Phil and Ph.D degrees in Khasi from NEHU.
His academic interests include Postcolonial Literature, Literary Theory and Criticism, Khasi Culture and Khasi Language Studies.
Career in Teaching and Academic Leadership
Dr Nonglait began his career in academia before rising through several key leadership positions in colleges and universities across Meghalaya.
He served as Principal of Mawsynram Border Area College from 1999 to 2000 and later headed Sngap Syiem College, Mawkyrwat, from 2000 to 2006.
At NEHU, he served as Reader in the Department of Khasi between 2006 and 2012 before being appointed Professor in 2012, a position he continues to hold.
From 2020 to 2023, he served as Head of the Department of Khasi at NEHU. In 2024, he was appointed Director of the College Development Council of the university.
Apart from teaching, Dr Nonglait has supervised several research scholars, guiding six M.Phil scholars and nine Ph.D scholars to completion.
Role in Education Policy and Language Advocacy
Dr Nonglait has also been part of several important committees constituted by the Meghalaya government.
He served as examiner for the State Literary Award between 2008 and 2010 and was a member of the state committee tasked with pursuing inclusion of Khasi in the Eighth Schedule.
He was also part of the Task Force Committee on the Meghalaya State Education Policy (2016–2018) and the Meghalaya State Curriculum Framework (2018–2019).
Since 2022, he has been serving as Resource Person in the Selection Committee for literary awards under the state Arts and Culture Department.
Literary and Research Contributions
A prolific writer and researcher, Dr Nonglait has authored seven books – three in English and four in Khasi. He has also published six book chapters and 25 research articles in both Khasi and English.
Beyond academics, he has played an active role in literary organisations and intellectual forums in the Northeast.
He served as Secretary of the Society of Khasi Studies from 2007 to 2010 and later as Secretary of the Tribal Literary Forum of India from 2010 to 2022.
Since 2012, he has been serving as President of the Khasi Author Society, holding the post for seven consecutive terms.
He has also been associated with the governing bodies and managing committees of several schools and colleges in Meghalaya.
 on Thursday has announced academician and educationist Dr D. Rockyer Lyngdoh Nonglait as its candidate for the upcoming Shillong Lok Sabha by-election.){kind=link}