Editor ,
The recent rape case of a young lady in New Delhi has rocked the nation. However, crime against women and girls continues in every part of the country. In Meghalaya the recent rape of a girl in Garo Hills is no exception. But what I am trying to point out here are not just crimes against women or girls which are committed by men or boys but of similar actions perpetrated by women. Recently a young girl of class IX of Auxilium School committed suicide after receiving her annual report card. I was told the victim did not get through in her annual examination and was asked by her class teacher to personally collect the report card from the Principal’s room. Just after leaving the Principal’s room – the girl who was supposed to go home with her mother left the school on her own and was found dead at home by her mother, barely an hour after leaving the school. The girl’s mother accompanied her daughter on that fateful day as it is mandatory for parents to be present on the last day of the year in the school. The girl who took her life away perhaps did not do so because she failed but because of the ruthless and scathing remarks made by the Principal of said school to the deceased. It is learnt that the Principal has the habit of shouting and ill treating the students at all times – particularly the students coming from BPL backgrounds and children of single parents. I have cross–checked with some parents, mostly mothers, and they are all of the view that the Principal’s attitude towards the students is insensitive and she never treats children with love, care and compassion. Even teachers, on condition of anonymity, say that the Principal is devoid of compassion and empathy.
Probably it might be her guilty conscience but the Principal did not even visit the deceased girl’s house to console the bereaved family, leave aside attending her funeral. What is expected of Missionary Institutions is the human touch and Christian love, tolerance and humility even when dealing with the most awful situations. Being a Catholic myself , I’m ashamed of such unpleasant incidents but I hope the Principal of Auxilium School would recall Pope Benedict’s Christmas message – Lets pray that the esteemed contribution of religion be built on respect for each other , so as to help build a fraternal society for the benefit of the people .”
Yours etc.,
Cliff R Sohtun
Shillong -6 .
Harassment for bereaved families
Editor,
At present a death certificate is issued by the Health Department of Meghalaya only after submission of 3 certificates (a) death certificate issued by a doctor or nursing home (b) certificate issued by the Dorbar Shnong of the locality where the nursing home is situated ( c) the Dorbar Shnong of the locality where the patient was residing. The application has to be submitted within 2 days. I fail to understand why we need a certificate from the Dorbar Shnong of the locality where the Nursing Home is located.
If a person from a village has to obtain a certificate from the Dorbar Shnong where the nursing home is located it would be very difficult because most Rangbah Shnong are available from 8 am to 9.30 am. With traffic congestion being what it is, it would be difficult for any person to reach the destination on time. Further, how is the Dorbar Shnong of the location of a hospital/nursing home involved? At best Government can ask the hospital to get the death registered with the Dorbar Shnong of the locality where the hospital/nursing home is. This will help the general public. Moreover, the bereaved families have to perform religious rites after the funeral which will keep them busy. Also some families live outside Shillong. Hence the time limit for the submission of the application for death certificate should be extended to six months.
Your etc.,
Sagarika Dutta Roy, and
Pijush Kanti Dutta Roy
Shillong-4
What to do with the rapists and their victims?
Editor,
The entire time, money and energy of our countrymen is today spent in thinking how quickly to punish and what befitting punishment to be given to the rapists and what other most effective punitive measures are to be taken against the prospective rapists. To what fruitful use this time, money and energy might not be put if only our countrymen were to think on the lines of preventive, corrective and curative measures for the prospective rapists and their victims!
Yours etc.,
Omar Luther King
Delhi -34