Editor,
A news item highlighting the re-employment of Mr W Kharmalki as Chief Engineer in the State Sports Council has come as a big shocker creating a precedent of sorts which is against all norms and conduct of the state service rules if one understands the fine line. In fact this is the usual habit of politicians to defend and re-appoint their own people at the cost of the tax payer’s money. Many will agree that the appointee is enjoying the benefits of re-employment at great cost to the state and to the cause of sports itself. When many people with better skills, knowledge and talents lie are waiting for a suitable job, the Deputy Chief Minister Bindo Lanong has gone ahead and re-employed a person who has been of no apparent use except to boast of his affiliations and connections with the high and mighty. From the news item it can be understood that deserving candidates with unique qualities and educational qualifications will always find the door closed. Now isn’t the government violating the Indian Constitution which guarantees and ensures (1) Right to equal opportunity and (2) Right to livelihoods to
many unemployed people of this state. We wish someone had the guts to file a Public Interest Litigation on such political appointments which actually demoralize the youth of this generation.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S Wankhar
Shillong-3
Of St Mary’s College
Editor,
I congratulate the brave parent who brought to light whatever has been happening in St Mary’s College. I have also been one of those unlucky parents who had to face so much trouble to obtain a simple signature from the Principal. I was not the only parent who faced that problem. I met plenty who went though more trouble than I did because they were from outside the State or from remote villages. One poor parent even told me that he would need to bring a tent the next time he needed to meet the Principal. What shocks me most is the fact that the College has two Vice- Principals who are obviously not doing anything either. If the Principal is not present, it is the duty of the Vice-Principals to step in, otherwise why appoint them in the first place? I can offer several reasons as to why the teachers of the College have been quiet for so long knowing fully well it is their moral duty to report such serious neglect of duty. The first is perhaps, “She is the Principal and we have no right to tell her what to do.” Second, “It is none of my business and I get paid whether she comes in or not.” Third, “Isn’t it better this way, I can do whatever I want.” Finally, “Why bother, nothing will come out of it? ” Or, “Why bother? I can get into trouble for speaking up.” The teachers should realize that being silent witnesses to something wrong makes them guilty by association.
With regard to the Board of Management, I am wondering if they should now be called the “Board of Mismanagement” as they have not removed an inept Principal who has done nothing let alone being seen in the College premises. I would now like to know if anything will come out of this, and if there are more brave parents and students who would come out openly to condemn whatever has been happening. If we want change we should be brave enough to speak against injustice, wrong-doing and plain ineptitude
Yours etc.,
S Dasgupta,
Via email
Shifting of TB hospital
Editor,
With reference to the headlines ‘ Tender to be floated for Hospital Construction ‘ which appeared on page 3 of your paper dated 3rd August 2012 I would like to make the following comments –
Firstly, most people will be happy that the T B Hospital is to be shifted to Mawdiangdiang. This is a very correct decision. However, the decision to construct the new medical college at the old T B hospital site is flawed. The campus for any college or university should have large open spaces so that buildings are not cramped into a restricted area which will happen at the site suggested. It would be a logical and sensible decision to also shift the proposed medical college to Mawdiangdiang where adequate space is available and moreover, the medical college will be close to NEIGRIHMS which will facilitate interactions between the two. Such interactions will be very useful to future doctors.
The old T B Hospital site could be converted into a park with trees, flowers, shrubs, cafes and playgrounds for the local populace. This will upgrade the area which is at present surrounded by ugly unplanned buildings. Or at a pinch, the government could even consider building the new assembly at this site which is preferable to the presently proposed one where dozens of old trees will have to be cut down apart from destroying old heritage buildings. Can we appeal to the Chief Minister and the Health Minister to kindly give this matter a rethink.
Yours etc.,
D M Pariat,
Shillong-3