Editor,
This letter is in reference to Patricia Mukhim’s article, ‘Oh to be a woman…!!! (ST March 9, 2012). What a splendid tribute to a woman! Not many could have presented a woman’s ‘ironic’ plight in our society in a better way than the above-mentioned article. Most women indeed live a life of striking irony- considered to be the weaker gender yet so much stronger than anyone can imagine, deserving of appreciation yet many a time battered, bruised and broken to the very spirit! Yes, we thank God for the few women who have dared to dream and follow their dreams, against all odds! But we also salute those who silently suffer without a voice to raise, due to illiteracy and poverty and ever so often because they have simply resigned themselves to their miserable fates. I believe that all evil against women stems from an absence of respect and gratitude towards them. Before I go further, let me take this opportunity to salute all those men out there who are dignified enough to treasure and value the worth of a woman in all her roles, which, as we all know, are multifarious.
Every International Women’s Day, we hear about women’s empowerment. Well, realistically speaking, women are already powerful. Their power is inborn. Unfortunately, many women experience a phase of diminution that haunts them for the rest of their lives. Society can create a Utopian environment for women if Women’s Day can be celebrated silently, everyday, by all, for all women. While that may sound very clichéd, all it really takes is a show of respect! That is all! It can begin at home, you know—husbands to their wives, sons to their mothers, brothers to their sisters and fathers to their daughters. It can happen spontaneously and smoothly if you love these women in your lives.
Calling out to all fellow Mothers, teach your children young, especially your sons! Let the inception of a new, respectful attitude towards women, take root now. Then we can look forward to a happier society for our daughters, sisters etc. complemented with a race of respectable men!
Yours etc.,
Evarisha M Syiem
Shillong- 14
Bureaucratic ego
Editor,
I read with interest the letters titled “Bureaucratic misdemeanour” (ST March 9 2012). The concerned public servant should be taught a lesson that he is neither a public leader nor a policy maker. Mr Elmer Lyngdoh has rightly pointed out that the Deputy Commissioner in question is an embarrassment not only to the district administration but to the State as a whole. Hence the Department of Personnel in Meghalaya should ensure that a DC of the district should be none other than a person who has qualified the Union Public Service Examination. The business of nominating State Services Officers as IAS should be done away forthwith as it is an embarrassment so rightly pointed by Mr Elmer Lyngdoh. I hope Dr Mukul Sangma, Hon’ble CM is listening.
Yours etc.,
Bajop Pyngrope,
Via email
Whither MeECL?
Editor,
Apropos the letter to the editor (ST March 9, 2012) defending the MeECL and remark against the letter of HH Mohrmen, I would like to point out that the inefficient engineers of MeECL are responsible for the Leshka fiasco and there are many more failures and irregularities that need to be unearthed by the authorities concerned.
Statistics reveal that MeECL has the largest number of employees per unit generation of power in the country. This is proof of inefficiency which further leads to bankruptcy. Thanks to the state government which has time and again been pumping money as grants to MeECL to rescue this sick unit from total breakdown.
The Leshka project is expected to generate more than 126 Mega Watts of electricity , but now after spending more than 1000 crores it is generating only 8 Mega Watts equivalent to minor hydel projects that cost below 10 crores! Readers may take note that power generation cost of MeECL is the highest in the country ! Budget provisions of all Government departments have been cut and diverted to MeECL for this purpose. Not only that, MeECL has also taken loan from financial institutions for the Leshka project. The author of the letter rightly mentioned that initially the project got praises from Government of India officials but now when the engineers have miserably failed to complete the project in time and when the project has usurped huge expenditure, the Planning Commission has viewed the lapses very seriously and the Chief Minister of Meghalaya has rightly commented against this inefficiency.
Of late it appears the manpower of MeECL has become lethargic in performance. Trade unionism in MeECL has kept performance in the backseat. Even after the management has given higher pay and perks to the engineers, inefficiency still exists and this has serious repercussions on the general public because we are the ones who have to pay exorbitant rates for electricity bills. Hence if we really want to improve quality in power sector in our state and save the power sector from serious crisis I would suggest that government gradually phase out the MeECL and bring private companies in its place on the PPP mode since by bringing in private companies the government’s burden is reduced and once the private companies have invested some money they will try all out to make the project successful.
Yours etc.,
Badon
Via email