Editor,
I have a question to pose to the readers on whether they agree that Meghalaya’s development policy can be described as a model to other states? This statement comes from none other than our State Chief Minister who says that our developmental model can be replicated by other states. The Chief Minister seems to have been out of touch with the actual realities that plague most rural areas from non-motorable roads, un-electrified villages, non-availability of safe drinking water, non-functioning health centres etc. These are some critical areas that require immediate intervention and responsible investment. How can the government claim flaunt its development model when important areas are not addressed? In fact, in the past some major national magazines have depicted our state in a bad light as Meghalaya had failed to even meet minimal benchmarks. Yet we have a government that makes tall claims which is laughable. It is time for some serious introspection instead of building election castles in the air.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S Wankhar
Shillong-3
Laws alone won’t help
Editor,
Apropos the editorial “Women empowerment” (September 15), there are husbands who lend a helping hand to their wives in performing domestic chores. Now, such cooperative husbands will remain aloof and ask their respective wives to handle all chores single-handedly because salaries are being paid to them! In such a scenario, not only would the wife be burdened by more work, the relationship between the couple would also turn absolutely commercial – with the wife being “honoured” with the official status of a maid servant! Marriage is a divine institution where the couple is expected to walk the path of life together not only physically, but also emotionally with best intentions towards each other. Thanks to gross consumerism in society, marriages are increasingly falling apart as financial interest is increasingly gaining ground by trampling over mutual love and respect. When the erstwhile noble institution is turning into a relationship between management and trade-union with the couple haggling over various financial issues and personal interests and when the need of the hour is to inculcate the significance of marriage in the minds of the couples by highlighting O Henry’s gem, ‘The Gift of the Magi,’ where pure love and sacrifice won over drastic poverty, the Ministry of Women and Child Development is merely worsening the situation by transforming marriage into an absolutely commercial arrangement which is bizarre to say the least.
Despite laws, there exist innumerable women who get tortured by their husbands or in-laws revolving around the issues of dowry or birth of a girl child. Why don’t the authorities concentrate on ensuring justice for those hapless women instead of commercialising the institution of marriage?
Yours etc.,
Kajal Chatterjee,
Kolkata – 114
Unreasonable hike in diesel price
Editor,
The new effective rates for extra mile diesel after the Rs 20 hike is now Rs. 66 per litre. What is our government talking about a hike of Rs. 5? Is it deceiving the public by not making public the rate of extra mile diesel? And the hike of Rs 20 per litre amounts to a whopping 43 % increase from the previous rate that of Rs 46? Where is our nation heading? To mass destruction of the common man? Where should we go? Who will take up our cause?
Yours etc.,
Bharat Khiani,
Via email
Unclear advert from MPSC
Editor,
The Advertisement issued by the MPSC calling for submission of applications for the post of LDA in the Meghalaya Secretariat from applicants who are graduates in Arts/ Science or Commerce is causing concern for many. The reason is because those who have passed their BCA examination recently and want to apply for the same are not sure of their application will be accepted or rejected. Enquires from the MPSC staff as to whether an applicant with BCA qualification is eligible for applying the post is met with uncertainty. I therefore request the MPSC authority to enlighten us on this matter as many of us are eager to apply for the same.
Yours etc.
A concerned applicant