Editor,
Short Assembly sessions for no valid reason proves that our legislators are averse to real work. This time, the winter Assembly Session will last for a record-breaking three days, thanks to the Speaker who has granted this holiday bonus to our legislators! It is surprising that nobody questions these undemocratic acts in Meghalaya. The Speaker has refused to address any matter of note during this upcoming session. A request by Paul Lyngdoh of the UDP to move a resolution for a stronger Lokayukta Act was denied by the Speaker. Similar is the fate of the motion to discuss the high-profile recruitment scandal in the Education Department involving Ampareen Lyngdoh and the Speaker himself among others! Can the ordinary citizen really trust these legislators to do any real work? They seem to be more interested in campaigning for the elections and handing out mosquito nets, chairs, pots, pans, etc for votes rather than debating noteworthy issues! In this regard, I would like to ask the Speaker, Charles Pyngrope why he needs a new Assembly building when his assembly sessions are always disgracefully short and meaningless. They can instead adopt a work-from-home policy which will save them the trouble and embarrassment! Is this what Mr Pyngrope and company learned from their foreign “study tours?” Maybe they should go back to primary school and learn discipline instead of rushing off on pleasure jaunts abroad with public money!
Yours etc.,
William Sangma
Tura
Social media is beyond Facebook
Editor,
Social Media has played a major role in the small towns and cities of our country. Despite the lack of electricity penetration in most of our villages, it seems the younger generation is becoming more aware of the impact of social media. When we speak of Social Media, one thing that strikes to our mind is Facebook, Orkut, Whatsapp and some other social networking sites. We forget that most Indian professionals are using Linkedin for different business and official purposes. Linkedin is used for hiring and it helps to connect people to their profession. I believe the people of Shillong should make use of this particular tool so that they can find people whom they can connect in their professional lives, especially those who’re opening up their own ventures or enterprise in any field, be it teaching or medical profession etc.
For many, social media is limited to Facebook only. I do understand that there are some crimes that result from the use of social media like Facebook not just in India, but in the United States as well. Some parents are worried about their kids spending long hours on Facebook and other social networking sites. I believe that parents should be proactive by monitoring their kids online. It’s always advisable for parents to be on social media especially when their kids are growing up. This will help them to monitor and guide their kids better. As per the report by Pew Research Centre dated 20th November 2012, half of the parents with teens who use the Web have set parental controls to block, filter, or monitor their kids’ online activities. There’s nothing wrong if children are spending time on different social networking sites under the guidance of their parents. In fact it’ll help them get acquainted with the changes in Information Technology.
Yours etc.,
Aiborlang Chyne,
Via email