Editor,
This has reference to Dominic Wankhar’s unwarranted reaction (ST, Oct. 1) on my recent statement vis-a-vis railway connectivity in the state. In his haste to pillory me, the gentleman has missed the very weighty point of distinction between my views as a columnist articulated through my write-ups and those of the party I belong to in my official capacity as its spokesperson. In the instant case, all I have stated – and continue to maintain- is that, ideally speaking, the advantages of goods train service far outweigh the disadvantages, whether in terms of cheaper transportation, reduced pressure on our narrow roads, ecology, et al. But- and it is a very significant rider- ideal conditions do not exist at the moment in view of the abhorrent lack of an effective, in-built mechanism to deal with the phenomenon of unbridled infiltration threatening the demographic profile and the security of both Meghalaya and the North-east.
The official resolution adopted by the UDP pertains to not railway connectivity per se, but to the proposed Survey work for rail-link to Shillong. The party has reiterated that the project cannot be considered at this stage given the conspicuous lack of both the mechanism and the machinery to deal with the potential inrush of infiltrators.
While constructive criticism is a sine qua non for healthy democracy, the standard of the debate would have been raised by a few notches if intelligent readers like him would care to pay more attention to these finer points. This, in turn, will facilitate the growth of informed public opinion instead of the narrow, biased and malicious expressions that very often merely generate heat but no light.
Yours etc.,
Paul Lyngdoh, MLA
Via email
Change exam timings.
Editor,
We the students of Class XI of MBOSE were shocked to see the timings of Class XI Exams, to be held from the December 3 this year. It’s easy for the Controller of Examinations to fix the timing of exams but he has turned a blind eye to the problems faced by students appearing the exams. We would request the Controller of Exams to start the Exams at 10.00 AM instead of 9.00 AM. There is hardly any gap between exams barring Saturdays and Sundays. Perhaps the Controller is unaware of the fact that there are many students who come all the way from Umroi, Mawryngkneng, Smit, Mylliem, etc to write their exams in Shillong. Further, the usual traffic jams are also overlooked. Through this letter we would request the MBOSE authorities to rethink and change the examination timings for the coming Class XI Examination, 2012.
Yours etc.,
Concerned parents and students,
Shillong
Illegal appointments
Editor,
Apropos the advertisement issued by Oakland LP School, Shillong on February 16, 2012, in your esteemed daily, for the Post of Assistant Teacher and the Interview for the same which was conducted on the September 1, 2012 by the Management Committee of the School, the interview was a mere eyewash. There are many questions which the Secretary of the said school has to answer. Firstly, why did the Management Committee take six long months to conduct the interview? Secondly, how can the Management Committee appoint two female teachers a week before the interview which was conducted on the September 1, 2012 ? Thirdly, according to the advertisement the qualification mentioned was diploma in Hindi and Assamese as a subject. But do the two lady teachers who were appointed a week before the interview possess the requisite qualifications? Fourthly, why were the candidates not issued a call letter for the interview, but were informed over phone to attend the interview on September 1, 2012?
The Education Department Government of Meghalaya should take strict action against such malpractices by the Management Committee of different schools in our State especially the Deficit and Government Aided Schools. If the Management Committee of Oakland LP School had decided to appoint their kith and kin, why did they advertise for the posts and further conduct the interview after six long months? The Secretary of Oakland LP School should answer all the questions raised in this letter.
Yours etc,
A traumatized candidate,
Shillong 2.
Where is all the money?
Editor,
The pathetic and worsening condition of our national highway portrays a story of un-accountability, mismanagement and the true picture of how developmental works are executed in our state. The Public Works Department (PWD) is not ashamed with the road condition here at Jowai which happens to be the national highway to other states. Can the public hold the PWD accountable since the legislators are all silent perhaps because everyone is complicit in this game?
Yours etc.,
Dominic S Wankhar
Shillong-3