Interview With Bertina Lyngdoh

Bertina Lyngdoh lost her eye sight to typhoid fever while she was studying at a Lower Grade school in Sumer, Meghalaya. It was one of the teachers who noticed her absence from her classes.

Bertina Lyngdoh(R) sitting for her exams in a seperate classroom. Siljinchi Nongspung helping her to write her with her exams papers

She was missing for two or three years, where she was basically at home, with no education at all. Unfortunately, her parents had also passed away at an early age and she was left behind with her siblings and her grandparents to look after.

It was the teacher who introduced Bertina to Bethany Society, where she was able to pursue her studies till class 10 at JyotiSroat School, a unit of Bethany Society, Shillong.
She is presently pursuing her PhD in English at NEHU, Shillong.

Bertina Lyngdoh

What drives you to come to class every day?

People like me, whose family members cannot support them for education and who are physically challenged are pegged to never be successful.

But by now,people have seen that I have reached to this level. They thought that I was nothing to them because they probably felt I could not contribute because I am physically challenged. But I know that they are not educated enough to understand the problems that I had then.

Actually my life as a student was not good. After class 10, I did not want to purse my studies further because of my third division results, I was weak in mathematics and science. Due to those two subjects, I did not want to pursue my studies further. I thought that the books will be very difficult to get and the facilities are still not given to us, I am still to this date,willing to overcome these hurdles and challenges.

Bertina sharing her thoughts during the interview

How was your experience at St. Mary’s College, Shillong?

At that time, the Bethany Society was growing and I actually wanted to pursue my higher secondary schooling at St. Mary’s College, Shillong. But at first I remember, they didn’t want to admit me in the collegeand they told me that I am blind, so they asked that how can I study and participate in the classes? There was a lot of misunderstanding and miscommunication but at last with GOD’s whispers and prayers I got admitted.

I stayed in Loreto Convent, Shillong while I did my classes from St Mary. I remember Sister Isobella, the headmistress at that time. She was concerned, she was very supportive, encouraging and was responsible for my growth. She would provide me a writer whenever I needed. She was a good principal.

Bertina sharing some light moment with her classmates after the exam

What was your experience like at Cotton College, Guwahati, Assam?

After St. Mary’s College, I was introduced to Father Edmund Lakra, a Selestian Priest. He noticed that I wanted to proceed but was struggling to find some help.After that I did my computer classes at The Institute National Federation of the Blind,in Dispur, Guwahati.

I took admission in Cotton College, Guwahati, Assam with his help and guidance. I felt that it would be difficult for me to adjust. But, they informed me that Cotton College has over time admitted people who are visually impaired just me.

But I remember in Guwahati, I didn’t need to struggle and fight for admission. But in Shillong we had to fight forthe right to education. The college in Guwahati would arrange a tutor for three hours a day, they would read and I would listen. They would dictate and I would write it down.
But it was the people of Guwahati who helped me the most as they had previous experiences with blind people like me.

Bertina with her friend Damonlang Wanniang

Why NEHU?

I wanted to pursue my PhD. I remember Mr. Carmoof Bethany Society was asking me Bertina do you want to study in Delhi or in NEHU? I told him Sir, if in my State there is a good university then why not just study in my own State.

People kept asking me that how I will do my research when I’m visually impaired. Now I know how to handle it. Even to get my Masters in English, I faced the same challenges. I don’t mind if NEHU does not provide me with the facilities.

Bertina

How has the experience been so far?

As you know my fight for a government request, before I got an admission I had to get the help of various associations. The NEHU Students Union, The Association of Challenged People and certain individuals came and fought for my right to be admitted.

Why English, of all the majors? Are there certain writers you like or certain aspects of English literature that you enjoy?

I love reading poems, there are some novel fictions that I like as well. I love to write. I am doing regular classes and now I don’t have time to create a novel, a poem etc.

Students busy writing their exams in the main classroom while Bertina is in a different classroom doing her exams

What is your ambition now?

Well, I want to follow in Mother Theresa’s footsteps. I want to set up some kind of a special school in the Ri-Bhoi district for the physically challenged. My ambition is to atleast do my level best to help those who are really in need of my help especially those who have been exploited by their family members, where there was no one to care for them, to talk to them, to encourage them, to teach them and to help them grow both physically and mentally.

Picture Credits : Chandan P. Bharali