The Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Community and Skill Development Center (DDUCC), Wahiajer—a constituent college of North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU)—successfully concluded a seven-day skill-based training programme on “Application of Indigenous Knowledge in Pottery Making” at the DDUCC Community Hall. The programme, held from July 12 to 18, was supported by the Jaintia Hills Cement Manufacturer’s Association (JHCMA), with logistical support from TopCem Cement.

A total of 30 participants from Wahiajer and nearby areas in Jaintia Hills took part in the training. The sessions were led by renowned pottery artisan Roilin Pyrtuh from Larnai Village, who conducted hands-on demonstrations and taught traditional pottery-making techniques. The training aimed to promote indigenous knowledge and provide participants with practical skills that could support both cultural preservation and livelihood generation.

The Valedictory Function was held on July 18, with NEHU Shillong’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. S. Umdor, attending as Chief Guest. Other dignitaries included Lukas Jat, a member of Wahiajer village, and Latu Nartiang, Branch Manager of Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank, Ummulong. Also present were Dr. F. R. Sumer, Principal In-Charge of DDUCC, faculty members, students, guests, and members of the community.

In his address, Prof. Umdor praised the initiative and encouraged participants to apply their new skills, especially in view of the tourism potential in Jaintia Hills. He highlighted the relevance of the programme in the context of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes the integration of vocational and academic education.

Speakers at the event commended the dedication of the participants—many of whom were youth, women, and farmers—and stressed the potential of such skill-based training to foster self-reliance and local enterprise. Certificates of participation were distributed during the ceremony. The event concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Programme Coordinator Wolnish Rymbai.

The programme reaffirmed DDUCC’s commitment to promoting indigenous skills and advancing sustainable development in the region through inclusive, community-based education.