Editor,
A teacher not only imparts knowledge and education but also disseminates information. A teacher also inculcates moral strength and values in their pupils by setting good and fruitful examples in their lives. Teachers are a support system to the for the future generation. Sadly the plight and predicament of teachers is ignored. They belittled and sidelined by policy makers and the government. At all levels of education, teachers have been the most deprived lot. Their grievances and dues have not been addressed sincerely by the government. Government does not even care about teachers’ protests. Talks have yielded tangible results. All that the government does is to placate teachers and buy time.
At this juncture the Meghalaya College Teachers Association (MCTA) has been forced to begin their stir to make themselves heard. Several agitational programmes like cease work and wearing of black flags and rallies have been chalked out by the MCTA forcing them to ask for their rightful dues. The question here is how much will the government pay heed to all of this and seriously consider the demands of the teachers in totality? No teacher will resort to any form of protests and agitations that would hamper the studies and future of the students if the matter has not reached breaking point. The teachers have been pushed by the government to take this extreme step even though it may hamper the routine and course of studies of the students. One hopes the government meets all the demands of the teachers once and for all.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Shillong-4
Much ado about coins
Editor,
Recently, I read a news item regarding the new circulation of 50 paise coins in India. This should be a relief to the people of Shillong as coins are fast disappearing. In fact all coins tend to disappear whether they are 50 paise or 5 rupee ones. Shops still refuse to return 50 paise and exchange it with a sweet. It’s high the authorities (read the banks) make available the much needed coins and that the RBI takes stringent steps to see that its directives are followed in letter and spirit. This problem can also be solved by the collaborative and active support of the local dorbar of the city. May I request those who have the habit of collecting coins and take pride in exhibiting them because these coins look good in a glazed bottle. I personally have encountered some good souls who would show me the bottle full of 5 rupee coins (the latest being gold plated) with ‘pride and awe’ as if there’s nothing in the world more appealing than admiring the collection. Such people should shift their hobbies to philately or stamps collection. So, besides waking to the call of Anna Hazare please let us also do our bit to ensure that coins are in circulation
Yours etc.,
Adilbert Dkhar
Shillong-3
Bad judgement
Editor,
I am appalled by the letter of Peter Chongom who has failed to understand that the protest by Anna Hazare is not a political one and it has been the first such nationwide protest since India’s independence. Should we say that it is politically motivated? In fact many have equated him to Mahatma Gandhi saying that this is something everyone had been waiting to happen. If people do not protest then what freedom of expression do we claim to uphold? Perhaps the letter writer is not aware of the protest by farmers in Orissa, UP and even in our own state when the issue of uranium came alive. So it is wrong to say that civil society comes out against an elected government without a justified reason. Perhaps we need to be pragmatic and open when dealing with social issues.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S Wankhar
Shillong- 3