Editor,
The MLCU controversies never seem to die down. These individuals (Revd.K Pyrtuh and Z.M.Sawkmie and their band of followers) who brought out the RTI documents on the alleged fund misuse by the MLCU continue to be the same people over and over again. While it may be true that the documents were valid but what surprises me the most is that the target has always been the Martin Luther Christian University and no other Universities, institutions or government departments. I am quite certain that these so-called RTI activists have hidden agenda to bring into disrepute the people running this University particularly the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar and to force this university on its knees. If they have any problem with the University management then they should deal directly with them and not continue mudslinging in public domain and involve the University as a whole. And since they are also the ‘men of God’ they know better than me on this account. They had succeeded in their first battle in forcing the KJP Assembly in severing its ties with the MLCU and now their next target is to see this University close down once and for all. Just because they are ordained pastors of the Presbyterian Church of India (PCI) doesn’t mean that they have the license to force the University to shut down altogether. They need to remember that they are playing with the lives and careers of thousands of staffs and students (both past and present) who study and work in MLCU. Should they succeed in their mischievous plans then I am quite sure the students who obtained their degrees from MLCU along with their parents will never forgive them. And just because their relatives cannot find jobs in the University doesn’t mean that they should stand on top of the church pulpit and cry foul about the management of this University. To repeat the words they had mentioned “Free press is the backbone of our democracy and we wish that the press will live up to its freedom and continue to proactively disseminate information for the interest of the public at large”, I do also hope that they disseminate unbiased information and not selectively targeting one particular institution only. If these people have personal problems with anyone in the University then they must amicably resolve it with that person concerned because if they cannot love a person whom they can see then how can they love God whom they cannot see ? If they have so much concern about fund misuse and mismanagement then they must file RTI on other Universities and government departments as well and not just on one Institution otherwise their credibility can be seriously put into question. It would also be wise on the part of the MLCU administration to come clean with an open clarification to settle this issue once and for all.
Yours etc.,
Airpeace Rani,
Shillong-13
Squash Growers
Editor,
Shillong has become a land of squash. It is the easiest vegetable to grow. Just dig a hole, soften the earth, and put the squash in it, then you can even forget about it, but it will oblige your effort!
If there is a tree nearby, glory be! At once it sends its tendrils up and before you know where you are or are aware of it, its half way up the tree. The leaves and tendrils will in no time envelop the whole tree. It becomes suffocated, as the air which it needs to breathe in no longer there. It gets choked to death and ultimately dies. So will we!
Trees which range from 40′-100′ years old which supply the much needed oxygen to clean the polluted environment are no longer there. Have you observed so many trees felled, destroyed under our very noses? What a shame! It pains my heart to see this. I would urge the environmental activists to pay a visit to these growers at the very start of spring or earlier to explain to them, or enlighten them of the consequences and request them in a kind way to take these steps to prevent the untimely deaths of these beautiful trees. Request them to construct a structure of say 5 feet high with bamboos, so that the squash has a merry time to spread its tendrils instead of climbing up the tree.
I request the Departments concerned, like the Town Development, Urban Affairs dept. and importantly the Forest Department to take steps in the right direction, to tackle the people concerned and ask them to refrain from allowing the squash to climb up trees. I pass through the road leading to Pine Mount School, and am sad to note that the compound opposite P.M.S has squash trailing up those old pine trees and along the fencing wall. Please don’t the squash to climb up these trees and fences next year and thanks for obliging.
This same message goes for the Bougainvillea too. There are trees covered with the beautiful Bougainvillea flowers, but the trees are dead! A Bougainvillea well trimmed and in its proper place, is beautiful to see.
Yours etc.,
Queenie Rynjah,
Shillong-4