Students from almost all states of the Northeastern region have been studying dentistry in private colleges throughout the country as there are not enough dental college in the region. Only students whose parents are able to afford the exorbitant fee are able to study dentistry in private colleges.
It came as a boon to the students that a dental college came into existence on the campus of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal a few years back. Chairperson of the Developmental Committee Prof. N. Damayanti told The Hindu that today 50 students from the NE states get admission in this college.
She further explained that there is no capitation fee. In fact a student in a missionary school has to spend more than a dental college student since the fees including that of hostel are nominal.
B.Praveen Reddy, principal of Dental college told The Hindu that there are already 51 dental chairs and 52 more are being acquired. Eight departments are functioning in full swing and there are at least 100 patients everyday in the Out Patient Department. More departments will be opened shortly since the Dental Council of India requirements are being fulfilled. There are operations every week and the frequency will be increased in due course. There is one X-ray machine and three more machines are being brought shortly.
Prof S. Sekharjit, Director of RIMS under whose overall supervision Dental college and College of Nursing are functioning said that some anti-establishment elements had tried to sabotage the colleges. When some teachers and one principal were shortlisted for appointments threatening letters were sent as far as Malaysia asking them not to join the dental college as it was for Manipuris only.
He further said that the quarters of one associate professor Vishnu were torched. All his belongings including a car were destroyed. He said that despite such obstructions Dental college has come up to accommodate the students of NE region.
