Editor,
Please refer to the news item that appeared in your paper on December 21, 2012 titled “Fund Misuse slur on MLCU.” In the first instance, on behalf of the MLCU, I wish to clarify that irrespective of the source of your information, it is basically false, misleading and malicious in intent. The University has no hesitation in stating that it appears that the whole exercise is designed towards causing irreparable harm to the institution.
We confirm that MLCU approached both the NEC and the State Government for financial assistance for setting up the North East Careers Institute (NECI) to meet the demand for a training centre to cater to a growing local need for professional handholding of aspirants for both central and state competitive exams.
We confirm with gratitude, that till date, both the NEC and the State Government have provided us with grants for the same purpose, i.e coaching students for various examinations such as civil services, medicine and engineering admissions etc. The NEC and State Government, till date have come up with Rs 393.86 lakhs and Rs 10 lakhs each.
That the construction work for this Institute at Umsawli, Shillong is in progress, and that all the financial assistance from the above mentioned, i.e, NEC and State Government is strictly focused towards this Project (NECI).
That the allegation of misuse, diversion and mis-appropriation of Rs 10 lakhs from received from State Govt by the MLCU authorities while implementing the NECI project is factually untrue, false and mischievous even if the source of information to the false statement had originated from men of the cloth. It has factually not taken place and is simply the figment of their imagination. The information released to the press appears to have been culled from the RTI but it is also clear that there has been a selective and discriminatory release of facts.
There has been for reasons unknown, elements with a vested interest whose sole intention is to pull the MLCU to its knees. In this connection the MLCU would be grateful if sources from which the press obtain its information in future may kindly be screened for their authenticity and objectivity and also if MLCU’s views be also taken into consideration before words such as ‘slur’, ‘misuse’, ‘fund diversion’ etc are used.
The coaching for entrance examinations for professional courses has started on December 13, 2012. The faculty has been appointed and the first batch of students has been enrolled.
Yours etc.,
Rev EH Kharkongor
Registrar,
Martin Luther Christian University,Shillong
Recent gang-rape in Delhi
Editor,
Watching news, debates, proceedings and protests in the wake of Sunday’s gang-rape case in Delhi, one feels that it has become a ‘tamasha.’ True, the incident is gory; it is shameful and it is terrifying. But what is a charade is the concern shown by politicians; the public protests and the defense of the police. It is ironical that India is reacting so strongly to this particular rape case when similar incidents happen every day in some part of the country. Even more disturbing is the public display of anguish which needs to be translated to actions and go beyond mere candle marches, protests and shouting of slogans. Suddenly, the news channels are holding debates on whether the country is safe for women? Why did it take one high intensity rape case to ask this question? What exactly does this portray? Why was this question not asked when a few days back a three year old girl was raped or when a daughter was molested by her father? Probably, it was not a very TRP friendly case and neither provocative enough to bring people to the streets.
India needs to mature and address such issues with more wisdom. If impulsive protests, flashy bytes of opposition or big claims from policemen were the way to solve this problem, it would have been solved way back. Please, this is not another opportunity to attract vote banks, to play the blame game or to point fingers. It is about a girl who is suffering, it is about her parents who will suffer as long as they live; it is about many such women who have met a similar fate. Sadly, the country is not empathetic enough to feel beyond words. Hence the concerns are expressed through numerous cheap ways, making it a tamasha.
When have chakka jams solved an issue? The public needs to be together on issues like these but not for a day or two. Rape is not an isolated event. True, women are victimized; they fall prey to mindless men and need all the protection. But they also must learn way to protect themselves. Traveling in a bus, alone at night hardly makes sense. What is sadder is the girl’s lack of sensibility to not realize that the men in the bus were drunk. Is it not the duty of every woman to secure her safety, to ensure she does not fall into such situations? Why did the victim in question travel in a bus with drunken men and no passengers? Many would contest this and point that it is the men who have to change and women should be free to do what they like, wear what they wish and behave as they feel. This argument may hold good in evolved societies that understand feminism. India is not that place!
Men in India need to respect women; they need to fear the law and they have to realize that women are not merely cheap medium of gratification of lust. But while this happens, women need to be wary not to be trapped in situations where they can be attacked.
Girls, feminism rocks but what is wrong is absence of maturity and common sense to stay away from hazardous situations. Fight for equality, safety and security but fight with your tools ready. Please do not travel alone at night; do not go for drives with drunken male friends, and do not allow your boy friend to cross the line or allow strangers to lure you. Your safety is in your hands. The country will take its time to change, and if it does not, no one will be bothered but you. We need to fight for the rights of women to step out of home fearlessly but also know that we can fight only if we last..
Yours etc.,
Marla Marak,
Via email