Editor,
Apropos the letter “Tall claims” (ST Oct 20, 2011) we would like to clarify a few points. Firstly though the degrees obtained from countries abroad may not be officially recognised by government hospitals, it is a well known fact that private institutions all over the country, and top hospitals like Apollo, Wockhardt etc, have welcomed such degrees. A number of reputed doctors all over the country have affixed their foreign degrees against their names. It is not wrong or illegal to do so. Most of the medical college professors and well known doctors have their name plates with foreign qualifications affixed in their chambers. Also a number of MBBS doctors who have graduated from abroad, can practise anywhere in India provided they have cleared their licenciate examination. The advanced private hospitals in India like Apollo and others have, in fact, welcomed such doctors with degrees from UK, USA etc, these being countries which are the forerunners of medicine in the world. Nearly all medical text books in medicine, like Gray’s Anatomy, Internal Medicine by Harrisons et al have their origin in UK and USA. Medicine is universal and medical knowledge, research, new inventions treatments that emerged from USA, UK, France or elsewhere are practised and accepted in India since the birth of medicine itself. So medicine as a whole is universal. No country can live without sharing knowledge and ideas concerning health and most hospitals in India, send doctors for training to foreign countries to sharpen their medical skills.
Yours etc.,
Rudy Lyngdoh & others
Shillong -2
Wanted greater transparency
Editor,
The fact that the PWD has finally started repairs on the Mawlai – Umiam stretch of the GS Road will come as a huge relief to all. It seems like Mr HDR Lyngdoh has taken the feedback in the tabloids and on the internet seriously (for now). However it remains to be seen how long the repairs last. There has been a big question mark over the quality of work carried out by the PWD in the past. Roads have been known to break down in a matter of weeks and months. Will it therefore be back to square one after the next monsoons? Or will the repairs last all of 5 years as promised by Dr Mukul Sangma (in a recent conference at Kolkata)?
Going by past records, the chances of the repairs lasting for 5 years is pretty slim, one would say. Therefore, in order to ensure greater accountability we would like the PWD to put up CLEAR SIGNAGE at all their points of operation. The signs should state (1) Name of the PWD Engineer overseeing operations in that sector. (2) Name of the contractor doing the actual work (3) Date of commencement of repairs. (4) Date of completion. This kind of transparency will not only usher in greater accountability but will also, by keeping the public in the loop, ensure that unjust accusations are not leveled against the PWD (if the work is satisfactory). Will Mr Lyngdoh and the PWD please implement this suggestion immediately? This can actually be adopted as a best practice in other government departments as well.
Yours etc.,
Daisy Kharkongor
Shillong-3
Teachers’ dues
Editor,
News is rife that government will be paying the second installment of 30% arrears due to school teachers soon. If, this is true it is a welcome step. It means that during this current academic session school teachers are going to get the second installment of 30% of arrears as recommended by the Fourth Meghalaya Pay Commission, without any agitational programme. But what would be the fate of retired teachers? The State is not facing a financial crisis. It would be a step in the right direction if government also pays the 60% arrears due to retired teachers as the last and final installment.
Yours etc.,
Sayeed Ahmed,
Via email