Editor,
Apropos the news item published in your esteemed daily dated 14th October 2012 under the caption “Sanskrit school faulty functioning unearthed” I have the following clarification to make.
1. The Shillong Sanskrit PaliTol is established in the year 1952 and since its inception it is functioning uninterruptedly till date.
2. The Shillong Pali Sanskrit Tol (SPST) is a classical institution engaged in imparting Pali Sanskrit language in old traditional manner following the Gurukul system of education. Pali Tol is neither a high school nor a college but a combination of both set up for the propagation of Pali language. The SPST cannot be compared or identified with other educational institutions; it is unique in its feature and the only one of its kind in Meghalaya. Since its inception the SPST has been promoting, projecting and popularizing Pali an ancient language of India having wide publicity in the South East Asia for its intrinsic worth, historical values and international importance. The Govt of India has also been trying its best to promote the Pali language. The State govt is very keen on the maintenance of the Pali Tol and encouraging the intending students with stipends etc. But there are vested interest who are propagating anything and everything false to defame the SPST.
3. The Shillong Sanskrit Pali Tol has no building of its own, hence it was functioning from the residence of the then Principal Rev. J. Mahatara and after his retirement the Managing Committee vide resolution dated 2/4/1992, resolved that the Pali classes would be conducted at the residence of the Principal/ Secretary D.K. Barua. The SPST do not charge any fee from the students but they were granted monthly stipends of Rs. 50. After passing the examination from this SPST students get themselves admitted in colleges at Shillong and the results are communicated to the higher authorities of Education Department, Govt. of Meghalaya.
4. Regarding the allegation leveled by Mr. B. R. Barua, President Shillong Buddhist Association, I am to inform that a series of Court cases are pending between the two rival parties one led by Shillong Buddhist Association and the other by the Shillong Buddhist Association branch of Baudha Dharman Kursabha, Kolkata and at this juncture both the parties are expected not to make allegations and counter-allegations against each other.
5. The captioned news item has come up at a time when the SPST has already filed a writ petition before the Shillong Bench of Gauhati High Court and above publication is likely to prejudice the interest of SPST.
6. Regarding the age of the Principal being 70 years, I wish to apprise all that, the then Principal Reverend J. Mahatara submitted his resignation at the age of 80 years. This is because there is dearth of qualified teachers in Shillong for the said post.
Yours etc., Shri Dilip Kr. Barua
Principal Secretary
Shillong Pali Sanskrit Tol
Shillong-1
Rats in the hole
Editor,
The Mining Minister appears to lack clarity over his own policy decisions. Firstly, his mining policy has been formulated in a way that protects the mining mafia and encourages further exploitation. It does not address any of the serious social, environmental and safety issues that exist in the mining belt as a direct outcome of rat-hole mining. Any halfway-decent govt should throw this mining policy out of the nearest window for it ignores every important issue while benefiting only one category of people – the rich miners. But that is too much to expect from this govt! .
Secondly, the minister announces Foreign Direct Investment to be allowed in the mining sector, in line with the Central Govt’s policy. Finally, we think, the man has got something right. FDI would mean badly-needed financial stimuli in the region and resultant job creation by multinationals. As a welcome side-effect of FDI, rat-hole mining would come under serious threat as the sector became more and more regulated. Therefore chances are, that this dubious practice would be ultimately stopped and the environment can be saved.
But alas, this is not to be. The minister’s latest U-turn puts a cloud over FDI ever coming into this sector. He now says that FDI will be allowed “only if it benefits the State”. Whatever that means. He also makes an impassioned but muddled plea for allowing rat-hole mining to flourish. What has brought about this sudden change of heart? Isn’t the minister going against the policy of his own govt? If he is allowed to have his way, only rat-hole miners will keep getting richer at our expense.
Thanks Bah Lanong, for fooling us once again with your U-turns!
Yours etc.,
James Pariat
Shillong