Editor,
At the outset I appreciate the analytical precision of presenting facts with supporting inputs from the 2001 census of India regarding the actual number of child labourers in Jaintia Hills district that was provided in contrast to the monstrous proportions highlighted earlier. 70,000 child bonded labourers alone in Jaintia Hills! It is a staggering figure that needs immediate reconsideration. I would say that the readers are caught between the findings of IMPULSE NGO and Madam Patricia. It may be a correct estimation but such findings cannot be accepted owing to the methodology followed.
The rapid assessment by IMPULSE NGO which interviewed 907+200 children in two phases and the average of 15-20 children in each of the 5000 mines was bluntly multiplied which alone gives the staggering statistics of around 1,00,000 children. This appears to be a hypothesis yet to be proved and not a finding that can be accepted. Sweeping generalizations of this kind are not only very dicey but also very misleading. The mathematical expression seems to be absurd. From the figure of 1,00,000 estimating a minimum of 70,000 children which leaves a difference of 30,000 is also very interesting and we would surely like to see this cleared. Research methodology is a paper taught to Sociology Honours students and this scenario can well be a perfect example of how unclear and incomplete data collection and findings can lead to misleading results.
Lastly, we would like to know the benefits of garnering international criticism by directly superseding the local government which may well be capable of dealing with the so called ‘severity’ of the issue. A child labourer working is definitely unacceptable but highlighting the plight by magnifying the findings is equally objectionable.
Yours etc.,
Dr (Mrs) Saifun Nessa
Department of Sociology
St Mary’s College.
Shameful country!
Editor,
Apropos the editorial titled “The tragic death of Mahi”(June 26), the news of the tragic death of 4-year old girl Mahi who feel in the abandoned bore-well should make us hang our heads in shame. Vulnerable children succumbing to the death-trap named bore-wells remain one of the most common incidents in “nuclear-powered” India marching towards the status of “Superpower”! Way back in 2006, the fall and rescue of 6-year old boy Prince created a national sensation. Even after that episode, scores of children have fallen in bore-wells, many of whom had died. Still the “modern” states like Haryana do not possess even minimum energy to just cap the abandoned bore-wells and tube wells or create a fence around it so that children or animals cannot venture near the fatal spot.
A society is judged by the way it treats its children. Unless we learn to appreciate the fact that not IT Revolution, Moon-mission, Sensex, Buddha Racing track, Agni missile, Commonwealth Games or the “century of centuries” by the “God of Cricket,” but the welfare and well-being of the common Indians should be the nation’s goal and pride, representatives of the vulnerable children community, like the little baby Mahi, will never be allowed to bloom by this supremely callous society.
Yours etc.,
Kajal Chatterjee
Kolkata
Correction
Editor
Apropos the news item,”Rahul Bose enamoured by misty gorges of Sohra”,(S.T.June 23) I would like to point out that the correspondent’s comments on the famous novel of Rabindranath Tagore are incorrect. The novel “Shesher Kavita” is not a real life story of Tagore; rather it is a fiction based on the book,”Kavir songe Europe e” authored by Nirmala Mahalanabish. The theme and the background of the story are taken from Shillong but Tagore started writing the book in May 1927, while he was at Connoor on his way to Colombo. He completed the book on 25th June 1928 at Bengaluru, while he was returning from Colombo.
Yours etc,
Uma Purkayastha
Shillong
Cheated by KHADC!
Editor,
Apropos the news item regarding the illegal collection of professional taxes by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) from the government offices situated within the European Ward, I have always thought of the KHADC as a guardian of customary rights and practices of the indigenous tribes of Meghalaya. Never for a moment did I think that a branch within its ‘Empire’ is trying to sideline the very purpose that it was created for. According to the RTI filed by some unknown person(s) it appears that the KHADC has flouted all laws while pursuing one of its duties of tax collection. If the news item sheds just an iota of fact then I request the authorities to inquire into the matter as I am leaving no stone unturned in retrieving my hard earned treasure back to where it belongs. I feel that even the state government must enquire into the functioning of the Councils and intervene in their wrongdoings.
Yours etc.,
S.Nongkynrih
Asstt.Superintending officer
Nsso(Fod)
Another case of callousness
Editor,
I was aghast to read the news item “Minor Drowns inside the Raj Bhawan premises” (ST June 26, 2012). Yet another citation of morbid negligence, for which a budding child had to pay the price. My heart goes out to the bereaved family members who have lost their child. At least three people to my knowledge have died in similar circumstances by falling into un-barricaded pits in the past 7 days. I simply have no words to express my anguish and contempt over the acts of those contractors who are responsible for the accidents. The contractors should literally be charged of murder or alternatively be punished by being whipped in public.
The Governor or Meghalaya should order a detailed inquiry so that the guilty are punished. I am shocked that the incident took place in the Raj Bhawan premises. We do not find a politician’s child falling inside a deep hole or a contractor’s child being drowned in a manhole? It is the children from the lower economic status who are vulnerable to these societal threats. I realize that asking for stringent action from the concerned authorities is similar to crying in the wilderness. Therefore, I call upon responsible citizens and social workers to voice their protest. Negligence that results in the death of a child cannot be tolerated. We do not want to see another Prince or Mahi or Poonam in the headlines succumbing to a similar incident.
Yours, etc.
Jayashree Dutta (Purkayastha)
Via email