Editor,
I was shocked to read about Jairam Ramesh’s statement in the Rajya Sabha on the contamination of drinking water sources in Jaintia Hills. Ramesh stated that the State Government has taken ‘several steps to curb mining in the area’. However he failed to specify what these steps were. He then went on to say that the government had drafted a State Mineral Policy and entered into ‘special arrangements with Village Dorbars to protect drinking water sources’. The minister could well have been reading out a statement prepared by the Meghalaya Government! One wonders how a Central Minister can make such tall claims in the Rajya Sabha without verifying the facts. Everyone in Meghalaya is aware that the State Government has made absolutely no efforts to curb mining in the Jaintia Hills or elsewhere. The Government has dilly-dallied on tabling a Mining Policy before the elections, with the concerned mining minister (Mr Lanong) blaming the Chief Minister for the delay. From what has been revealed about the draft so far, rat hole mining is here to stay. The Government feels that curbing this ‘age-old practice’ will result in loss of livelihoods, no matter how high the cost to the people and the environment. If this is not hypocrisy of the highest order, then what is?
Today, Jaintia Hills is on the verge of being declared an environmentally dead zone due to indiscriminate mining activities. Poisoned rivers, caved-in villages, barren hills and a spiraling crime rate are all that is left. Add to this the flourishing illegal migrant labour from Bangladesh and Nepal and we have a recipe for disaster. The mine owners themselves have shown great foresight in buying up properties in Shillong and elsewhere in short time, perhaps in preparation for the time when the minerals will be exhausted and no commercial activity will be possible in the poisoned environment. Going by the present rate of degradation, that will happen in less than a decade. The only hope is that people vote for fresh faces who come with a track record of integrity in the coming elections, not the usual cash-for-votes politicians of Meghalaya. This is the only way to get rid of the mining mafia and save our state.
Yours etc.,
Daisy Kharkongor
A hairy tale
Editor,
I have come back to this city after over a decade and I find changes in many areas which are not for the better. It was alarming for me to observe that the Men’s Hair Cutting Saloons of Shillong town do not use disinfectants to cleanse combs used for cutting hair; nor do they sterilize scissors or shaving blades before starting their task. I am not aware whether there are instructions from concerned authorities to these hair workshops to keep their hair cutting tools infection-free by use of disinfectants. Sterilization of instruments should be by burning the Cutting/Clipping/Shaving instruments in the flame of a spirit lamp. Of course, these Men’s Hair workshops display glossy signboards outside and inside too you find all sorts of modem products for hair or body treatment except disinfectants for their tools.
The North East may be lagging behind other states in many areas but in many small towns here I have observed that the Hair Cutting Shops are under strict directions from local authorities to keeps hair cutting tools infection-free by use of disinfectants and sterilization. This awareness is not any kind of sudden awakening but it is as a result of AIDS awareness campaigns carried out by government agencies as well as health-sector NGOs.
We are all aware that, these days, various infectious diseases are spread by naive/unsuspecting populace. These Hair Saloons in our city, which do not use disinfectants or spirit lamps, are good medium through which various diseases can be spread. Indeed, everyday the health of our children are threatened by exposure to this avoidable menace! When I questioned some of these sophisticated looking saloons why disinfectants are not used or instruments are not sterilized they gaped at me as if I had come from Mars! This time I have escaped with a scalp infection to tell this hairy tale! Next time I may not be lucky to escape so lightly! So, I caution the denizens of Shillong, the health workers, NGOs and students to take up this issue with seriousness. An avoidable health hazard is looming large over our heads – literally!
Yours etc.,
Peter Daniel
Shillong -3
No names please!
Editor,
Apropos the news item dated October 3, 2012 under Meghalaya Crime Update, we would request the media to kindly not reveal and publish the identity of the persons who have been assaulted or raped taking into consideration their safety and reputation.
Yours etc.,
Annie Sohtun,
Shillong-14
MBOSE Clarification
Editor,
Apropos to the letter to the editor (ST October 2, 2012) ‘Change Exam Timings,’ this is for general information and clarification regarding Class XI Examination 2012.
The Class XI examination is an internal examination conducted by the respective institutions in their own school. Common question papers set by the Board are under the safe custody of the Head of Institutions concerned (only recognized schools) who are also designate Officer-in-Charge of the exams.
As per Board Notification No 520 dated 6th October, 2012 all unrecognized schools only are to collect the common question papers from the nearest designated Deposit Centres duly notified. As Examination for all schools are to be held in respective institutions, students are not required to travel to any Examination Centres to write their examination which is as per the school timings. The Practical Examinations for Class XI (Arts / Science / Commerce / Vocational Streams) will commence right after the theory examinations are over, to be held from the 13th December to the 20th December, 2012. As such, any further gap cannot be provided due to the onset of winter vacation.
Change of timings only for Class XII final examinations conducted by the Board has been effected and changed from 9 am to 10 am for the Board Examination of Class XII, 2013.
All information relating to Class XI Examinations are to be obtained and clarified from the Head of Institutions concerned.
Yours etc.,
Controller of Examinations,
MBOSE,
Tura