Editor,
A couple of days ago, we saw the remark of a legislator from Punjab and his comments on curbing the stray dog menace by sending them to China, Nagaland and Mizoram, making the headlines. We from the North East have always faced racism problems in other parts of India and the recent law passed by the Ministry of Home affairs is welcome. Though this law is there to prevent people from calling us names, what about the discrimination and other forms of racism? Take for example the Chingles ad on TV with the tag line “Aaj lee kya?”. I’ve seen both the advertisements; they may seem funny at the outset, but I a subtle understanding will show that it is insulting to the Chinese in particular and to all of us with Mongoloid features. I need not say more about the nature of the advert because it is there for all to see on youtube.
Yours etc.,
Arakiel W Sangma,
Via email
‘Tribal’ an irksome word
Editor,
The present on-going race for the presidential election has revealed yet another ugly fact about India. There is a sort of allergy displayed towards the term “tribal” displayed by our non-tribal citizens of this so called “tolerant” country. The many letters that appeared in your esteemed daily, by non-tribal individuals harp on the same theme “allergy to the word tribal” in connection with P.A. Sangma’s election campaign. Is this not revealing of the age-old chronic negative attitude towards tribal people in general? I know for sure that such terms as “indigenous” and “tribal” are jarring to the ears of such people. The tribal people have always been victims of the ruling class in our country. When it is a question of developmental projects like construction of dams, residential complex or industrial plants, who are the usual victims of forced displacement? The poor, voiceless and illiterate tribal population. North-east India for one has had an experience of such step-motherly treatment. The lack of development in our region in terms of infrastructures (communication, roads, education, health etc) is a clear sign of such an attitude. When the rest of the country was already enjoying facilities for higher and technological education, the people of North-east India are still left with basic education. Had it not been for Christianity the tribal people of this region would be still groping in the darkness of ignorance. Seldom do we get an opportunity to express our collective feelings and this presidential election is an exceptional chance to do this. Unfortunately, there is a deliberate attempt to smother this feeble voice of the tribal people by the other sections. This is a clever scheming to perpetuate domination by the tribal population in India. It is shameful to see that there are tribal leaders who have been indoctrinated by their parties and made to turn against their own kind. In doing so they do not realize that they are cutting the ground under their feet. History is replete with examples of such tactical maneuvers. I see a deliberate conspiracy on the part of some to give a negative interpretation to the use of the word tribal in this election so as to make it appear unpatriotic or sectarian. I would like to offer three arguments for the legitimacy of campaigning under the tribal banner: firstly, because we constitute a sizable population of 88.8 million; secondly, because experience has shown that if we do not raise our own voices, no one else will do it for us; thirdly, if the people of Bengal could get hysterical about Pranab’s candidacy, why should tribal people of India be prevented from being verbose about their candidate?
Yours etc.,
B. Mawrie,
Via email
HSRP conundrum
Editor,
Recently my driver was fined as the vehicle had no High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) forcing me to rush to the DTO’s office the next day. A day later the order to implement the Supreme Court order was published in the newspapers asking all owners to mandatorily fix the high security plate in their vehicles before the given date.
The decision of the government asking all vehicles including vintage cars to fix the HSRP has drawn flak from some NGOs for valid reasons. The police have not retrieved many vehicles with HSRP. It also perceived that cases of theft have not declined since the advent of the technology. This means that either the technology is ineffective or the police are inefficient. In either case, why should the common people be penalized for no fault of theirs? There are allegations of ulterior motives. Is the company with whom the government has made a deal, forcing it to have all vehicles (old and new) fixed with HSRP for monetary interests?
Another point which must be noted is that there are many ML O1 and O2 vehicles on the road without HSRP. I have also seen vehicles hired by the police and CRPF without HSRP. Have any of these vehicles been fined? Clearly for the police charity does not begin at home!
Yours etc.,
Albert Thyrniang
Mendal village
Unfair empanelment
Editor
I fully agree with P Mrbaniang that the officers of Planning Department are least qualified to be considered as first preference for empanelment for nomination to the Indian Administrative Service for reasons given by him in his letter “Wanted a fair system of empanelment” (ST July 2, 2012). In fact going by the nature of responsibilities, the officers of the Meghalaya Finance Services has a broader outlook because as financial advisers to different government departments they are intrinsically aware of the style of functioning of the departments. They would also be able to guide the departments on complex administrative matters. Quite a few of them are brilliant and dedicated. Many have served as Treasury Officers in the districts where they have to face risks and challenges as well as public indignation when they have to stand firm in the course of their duty . Therefore I do not see any reason as to why the Personnel Department zeroed in only on an officer of the Planning Department for nomination to the elite service while overlooking the officers from the Finance services as well as the equally deserving officers from other departments. This is patently unfair and a fresh look is required otherwise there is more to this than meets the eye.
Yours etc.,
Gilbert Rani,
Via email