What does it mean when we talk about time? In big cities, it feels like time never stops—always rushing, always fleeting. Cities like Mumbai, famously called "the city that never sleeps," epitomize this relentless pace. The saying "time waits for no one" rings true in these urban jungles, where everyone seems constantly in motion. However, as I journeyed through the villages of Meghalaya, time seemed to slow down. The urgency of completing daily tasks, so familiar to city life, felt less oppressive here. But after living in these communities for over two years, I realized that time holds just as much significance for them as it does for city dwellers.
In the city, we might associate time with deadlines and hurried schedules. In these rural areas, time is measured differently but no less valued. Whether you are a city office worker or a farmer working in the fields, time is a precious commodity. It's all about how you plan your day, and believe me, they plan their days, weeks, and months with as much thought as we do.
Minti (right) along with community members from Nongwah
My journey of understanding time in these communities began in the small, picturesque village of Nongwah in East Khasi Hills. This village, tucked away from the main road, was where I worked as a Nook Fellow. I managed a self-directed learning space called Nongwah Nook, now the Nongwah Chief Minister Youth Centre (CMYC). I facilitated various learning sessions for different age groups, and one thing quickly became apparent—the community's eagerness for new developments was remarkable. Over the years, I witnessed numerous NGOs and government officials from block and district levels arriving in the village for a variety of agendas. Announcements of these visits were made through a loudspeaker at the village center by the Village Headman, a common practice across many villages in Meghalaya. Sometimes, these announcements were made a day before the meeting, yet the next morning, the community members would be ready to attend, as instructed.
One might assume that rural communities would not adhere strictly to time, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, meetings often started early in the morning, around 10 AM—what city folk might consider the middle of the day, as for most rural communities, 10 AM is already lunchtime.
The Rhythm of Rural Life: Beyond the Surface
Living in Nongwah for over a year, I gained a deeper appreciation for how meticulously these communities plan their daily routines. Many start their day before dawn, around 4 AM, completing household chores, preparing their children's school lunches, and then heading out to their distant fields. While agriculture is the primary livelihood for most, the days are long, and the tasks are numerous. It’s not just a morning’s work but a full day of physical labor.
It’s in these fields, working tirelessly to cultivate vegetables or paddy, that time takes on a different meaning. External organizations—whether NGOs or governmental bodies—often bring new training, workshops, or awareness campaigns to these villages. While these initiatives are undoubtedly beneficial, the outcomes vary. The community’s reaction to these interventions can be unpredictable, influenced by a complex balance of trust and timing.
Some NGOs have managed to find a delicate balance, respecting the community's schedules and working around their time constraints. However, newer organizations often struggle, requiring years to build trust and develop a rapport with the locals. Time, after all, is as significant here as it is anywhere else—it just moves at a different pace. NGOs that successfully engage with these communities understand this, building relationships through local representatives or influencers who bridge the gap. These local ambassadors, often selected by the community, become key players in facilitating ongoing projects, receiving small stipends or salaries for their efforts.
Block-level or district-level initiatives, such as those from the Meghalaya Khadi and Village Industries Board (MKVIB) or the District Commerce and Industries Centre (DCIC), sometimes offer allowances to community members to compensate them for lost wages when attending workshops. While this can be an effective motivator, it also raises the question—do allowances truly incentivize participation, or do they undermine the intrinsic motivation of community involvement?
The CMYC Journey: Time as a Community Asset
As we developed our approach within these communities, we came to realize just how important it was to respect their time. Early on, we faced the challenge of integrating into the community while keeping the members at the center of our work. We quickly learned that time was not something we could take for granted. The Chief Minister Youth Centres (CMYCs)—self-directed learning spaces with libraries, nooks, and sports components—were designed to be community-owned spaces. As such, it was vital that the sessions held in these spaces be scheduled according to the community’s availability.
Many of the learners, especially women, attend evening sessions after long days spent in the fields, managing households, or working under schemes like MGNREGA. Women like Stialinda, a mid-day meal cook at a local primary school, shared with me how much she values her time at the centre.
Coming to the centre for me is not just about working on my project. I enjoy the company and the conversations with my teammates after a long day of work."
she said.
Kong Stialinda (right) showing the products she made as part of her project in the Nook.
For women like her, finding two hours to invest in personal growth and collaborative learning is a significant commitment. Recognizing and accommodating the community’s schedules—whether through flexible session timings or fostering environments where people feel comfortable and valued—has been essential to making the CMYCs truly inclusive. It’s about giving people the space to prioritize their own development, without imposing rigid schedules or expectations.
The True Value of Time: Building Trust and Partnerships
Organizations often visit rural Meghalaya with their own timelines, strategies, and objectives in mind. Yet, many fail to understand the nuanced ways these communities operate. Building trust, forging relationships, and creating sustainable impacts are not processes that happen overnight. Top-down approaches, where plans are imposed without regard for local customs and time, are destined to fall short. True community engagement requires more than a few weeks of outreach—it takes patience, respect, and an understanding that time in these communities is just as valuable as anywhere else.
After more than two years of working within rural communities like Nongwah, I have learned that time must be approached with flexibility and respect. The fast-paced hustle of urban life may not exist here, but that doesn’t mean their days are any less full or demanding. Every task, whether tending the fields or preparing for the next community meeting, is thoughtfully planned and executed.
Community members from around the Nongwah CMYC gathering for its exhibition day
For NGOs and other organizations to succeed, they must learn to work within the rhythms of the communities they aim to serve. It's about building partnerships that respect local schedules and integrating into the fabric of daily life. Those that take the time to understand the community, adapt to their pace, and earn their trust will find far greater success than those who rush in with their own agendas.
True community work requires patience, mutual respect, and a deep appreciation for the pace at which relationships can grow. It’s not about imposing external timelines but about aligning with the community’s own. Only by respecting time as an asset, rather than a constraint, can we build meaningful, lasting partnerships that benefit everyone involved.
Written by Mintioneth Fancon, Subject Matter Expert, Chief Minister's Youth Centres, Meghalaya
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