Editor,
This comment is regarding your report speaking against me and my father. I could not attend the screening test that was held in the month of July was because I had to attend an important entrance examination which was held in Kolkata. I had written a letter to the Department of Health requesting for rescheduling the screening test on behalf of myself and I had never used my father’s name. The Department could have rejected my proposal if it seemed inappropriate but instead they have resheduled the screening test for me which I couldn’t attend because I have joined a coaching centre in New Delhi for pursuing my medical entrance. My position in the state quota seemed so uncertain and didn’t guarantee my seat for the MBBS. Your report made it seem like such a big deal. I would have understood if you had written an article if my dad had used unfair means to get me a seat in the quota with my percentage but he did not do that. My farther is a very respected man in society and I kindly request you to leave him aside in this matter and you can personally deal with me.
Yours etc.,
Rimeiaki War,
Via email
Not a good precedence!
Editor,
Apropos the reply by the Health Department regarding the news item ‘Special interview for special people’ (ST July 25, 2012) that appeared in your daily, it is a sad state of affairs to learn that the health department is so accommodating towards the two candidate’s request of allotting another date for their medical fitness test. The reply that the Department gave about the criteria for MBBS & BDS seats is a known fact, but the point we are all missing is that a universal condition exists where a candidate is made aware that if he/she misses the date of medical fitness test or any other test then their candidature is treated as cancelled even if they score 100% in all PCBE. This condition creates space for the next candidate scoring 99.9%. Now if these conditions are ignored or don’t exist then the Department is in bad shape.
Yours etc.,
S Nongkynrih,
Via email
Pawan Hans again!
Editor,
Apropos the news reports, “Pawan Hans set to resume service in the State” (ST July 24, 2012) and “Chopper service soon” (ST April 15, 2012) in the middle page of the April 15 issue we also read, “Chopper carrying Arunachal CM returns due to bad weather.” In view of frequent air crashes in the region serious analytical studies should be carried out before a deal is signed. NE skies have to be thoroughly studied everyday throughout the year. Months that display micro-bursts and thunder storms have to be carefully noted. From these studies the safest route could be traced. Also it can be decided as to which months have to be given complete respect and honour by way of grounding the machines. And most of all, please let us not hear again that the ‘Black Box’ in the event of a crash (God forbid) fails to reveal anything. In any air crash all over the world the main task of an investigating team is to find the Black Box. From those last thirty minutes of conversation among the crew members, and the flight data, the causes of the crash are brought to light. Correction is then made to the aircraft design or infrastructure and better training imparted to the pilots so that air travel becomes near cent per cent safe. Only then can passengers fly with safety and confidence. In advanced countries, for aircrafts that frequently land on airfields with heavy cloud activities, static discharge wigs are fitted to send air molecules to neutralize the potentially charged clouds. I am not aware if this system fits into small choppers. Air travel can never be completely safe but if Black Boxes can be made operational to tell us the cause of the crash, the number of accidents in future could be greatly minimized. Moreover, this is a delayed relief for the victims’ families especially to families of the crew in case the Black Box rules out pilot error.
Yours etc..,
Wandell Passah,
Retired H.O.D.,
St. Edmund’s College