Editor,
It is unfortunate that in the recently conducted interview for the post of Field Publicity Assistant at the Directorate of Field Publicity, Shillong, yet another case of partiality or preference have come to light. The selection of the top candidates has created an atmosphere of doubt among the other local candidates who attended the interview as well as the practical examination that was held on the 12th December 2011. It is surprising that the top candidate scored a full 100, because no candidate gets a full score in any kind of examination especially that which is oral unless it’s a Math’s examination. It also happens that coincidentally the Director belongs to the same tribe as the top candidate, which for the information of all, is a tribe from Manipur. This is in contrast to the point mentioned in the call letter, which clearly states that the candidate should be proficient in the local regional language. Since the posting is in Shillong, the mentioned language should be either Khasi or Garo. It’s doubtful if the selected candidates are familiar with any of the above languages. Another point stressed in the call letter was that the candidate should have a working experience in Social Work. Again it’s clear that the top selected candidates don’t have any.
It is really sad and disappointing that in today’s scenario, no one can get an appointment in the right, honest way. For those who have faced such a situation a number of times would obviously go the next step which would be to get in touch with a Minister or a legislator to get a political appointment. Why is it that the people don’t fight for their rights in their own home State? It is not that people from other States should not be working here, but as a Meghalayan, would any of us get a job in Manipur? Or for that matter in any other State? It may be easy to get a private sector job but definitely not a Government post. The State of Meghalaya is very lenient in providing jobs to any caste or creed but it should not be at the cost of its own local people. The examination and interview conducted by most of the Departments is just a cover-up as the candidates have already been selected before-hand. This article is not a rebellion against any department or tribe, but a wake-up call that there is a need to change the system otherwise the State of Meghalaya will be the next Manipur in the making!
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
News item regarding BSNL
Editor,
Apropos the news item on Dec 25th 2011 regarding “Set things right or face the music,” we wish to inform through this newspaper that there are other stakeholders who also have to contribute for reliable services. No mention is made of the stakeholders who also have a part to play. We do not want this to be a slinging match in the Press, except that for those who think that we are remaining mute this is not true. We are in the fire-fighting mode at all times, just trying to ensure that we are able to give minimum service.
It must be remembered in today’s Telecommunication networks across the world the question of a fibre cut does not arise. Here in Meghalaya due to narrow roads and excessive road digging this is a day to day event. Unless the state has service ducts that must be made before a road is laid, we cannot talk of reliability.
A Telecom Provider cannot police a network; nowhere is this done. Optical fibre cables must be protected before we talk of reliability.
What about stealing of copper cables? How can BSNL stop this? Around 21st DEC 2011, a 1200 pair copper cable was stolen in front of Civil hospital. One thousand customers were denied service. We have replaced and restored service to 1000 customers. Every month we lose cables due to theft, no one has been caught so far.
In rural areas we have problems of low voltage and many times no power. Our Engine Alternators have to be run on continuous basis. When they give way, due to excessive running, a town like Jowai and Tura are affected because just like electricity, OF cables bringing communication also come from the smallest places.
We all need to work together to help our esteemed customers.
Yours etc.,
George Santosh Marshall
Unnecessary nit-picking
Editor,
I fail to understand the KSU’s hostility towards Mr BM Lanong’s description of U Soso Tham as the “Sachin Tendulkar of Khasi Poems” (Lanong comment draws KSU’s ire, ST Dec 22, 2011). It gives me a feeling that the KSU Mawlai Circle President is neither aware of Sachin’s status in his field nor possesses the ability to interpret the gravity of the comparison made by the Dy Chief Minister.
For his information, Sachin is called the “God of Cricket” by billions of fans across the globe. His contribution to the nation is so huge that the government is now mulling to award him with the greatest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna which he truly deserves for his impeccable efforts to make India proud in the whole world. His life in itself is an inspiration not only to budding cricketers but also to every Indian as it shows how an ordinary young man can go on to become the master of his field by means of self belief, hard work and determination.
So when someone describes U Soso Tham as the “Sachin of Khasi Poems” it should be interpreted that his contribution to the Hynniewtrep society by means of his poems is same as Sachin’s contribution to the world of cricket and he is being actually portrayed as the “God of Khasi Poems” which I think is a great honour to this legend of Meghalaya.
Yours Etc
Robert Nongrum
Via-Email