Mr. Lahduh Lanong, hailing from the serene hills of Meghalaya, has dedicated his life to transforming the lives of rural youth and women through education, skill development, and community empowerment. Growing up, he witnessed both the promise and the hardships of village life—children filled with dreams yet limited by scarce access to quality education, skill training, and sustainable livelihoods. These experiences ignited a deep sense of purpose in him, motivating him to rise above personal challenges and create pathways for others to succeed. This vision ultimately led to the founding of the Community Institute of Technology (CIT) in 2013, a grassroots institution committed to providing practical skills and livelihood training to underserved communities.
He was nurtured in a modest household where agriculture and small-scale work were the main sources of income. Life in rural Meghalaya was not easy, but it instilled in him the values of perseverance, resilience, and communal support. Witnessing firsthand the limitations imposed by inadequate infrastructure and resources, he developed a profound understanding of the transformative potential of education and skills training. From an early age, he realized that real change could only occur if communities were empowered with opportunities rather than temporary aid.
His journey began among the people rather than in an office. He listened to the aspirations of jobless youth, farmers, and women seeking purpose, learning that development was about creating opportunities, not offering charity. In 2005, he initiated a small community-based IT training program in his village. Concurrently, while teaching at the university level, he collaborated with government agencies in Meghalaya to conduct skill development workshops. It was during these interactions that he closely observed the determination of school dropouts, unemployed youth, and women eager to acquire skills such as tailoring, carpentry, beauty care, and agriculture, but held back by lack of access and resources. Their resilience left an indelible mark on him, reinforcing his belief that opportunity, rather than pity, was the true catalyst for change.
The early years of CIT were fraught with challenges. With minimal funding and infrastructure, he relied on borrowed classrooms, makeshift equipment, and volunteer trainers. Convincing families, particularly in the case of girls’ training, required persistent advocacy. Yet, he pressed on, building trust through tangible results. Every success story—a woman starting a tailoring business, a young man securing employment, or a trainee becoming a mentor—served as a testament to the power of practical education and community engagement.
Over the years, CIT has grown into a transformative platform, training thousands of youth and women in skills ranging from tailoring and carpentry to digital literacy and entrepreneurship. Many trainees have gone on to establish small businesses, secure meaningful employment, or become trainers themselves, creating a ripple effect of empowerment and economic self-reliance. For the communities he serves, training has meant more than just income; it has fostered confidence, dignity, and independence.
Looking forward, he envisions expanding CIT’s reach through online education, rural e-commerce, and community-based enterprises, alongside the creation of a Rural Innovation and Leadership Hub to nurture youth-driven ideas and enterprises. Collaborations with government institutions, CSR initiatives, and community partners are expected to further scale the impact of his work.
Today, Mr. Lanong stands as a recognized grassroots educator, social innovator, and changemaker. His efforts have strengthened rural resilience, empowered women, preserved cultural heritage, and created sustainable livelihood opportunities. His journey—from a young village resident with a vision to the founder of a transformative institution—underscores the power of purpose-driven action. His life’s work serves as a powerful reminder that meaningful change begins at the community level and that with determination and vision, even the most modest beginnings can yield extraordinary impact.
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