Editor,
Courtesy and manners are something that the youth are constantly reminded of by their elders. But what about elders who despite their maturity and education lack the basic courtesies and become tyrants in their domain? On January 9, 2013, our MLA invited certain schools from his constituency along with others and gave work orders to the schools. Our school was also invited and this being the first time that we are availing financial assistance, I was overjoyed. However, on January 10&11 an encounter with the most obnoxious human being killed that joy instantly.
I am referring to the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Mylliem Block, Mr D Hynniewta. I have never met a more impolite and rude person than him. He was impudent with many people who went to the said office for official work. The MLA gave our school the work order not because we begged him to (the BDO implied that) but because the MLA felt that our school deserved it. But the nit-picking BDO wanted a more appropriate answer. I told him to ask to ask the MLA concerned.
It seems to me that Hynniewta has a major problem in life. Either he finds the job of having to deal with the public irksome or the pressure of the work is getting to him. But whatever the reason, his rude behaviour was uncalled for. He seems to forget that he is a government employee and his job is to deal with the public. That is what he is paid for anyway. To say the least Hynniewta’s behaviour was despicable and not befitting an educated officer. A bit of courtesy and manners won’t harm you Mr BDO! .
Yours etc.,
Dr S Nongkhlaw.
Principal,
MayQueen School,
Shikllong-8 .
Neither equitable nor just
Editor,
In his article “Equitable political representation”(ST 15th Jan 2013), Mr Toki Blah came down heavily on the way the political parties made the choices of candidates for the next election in the state. I fully agree with him that winnability continues to be the main objective of an election and that the next legislature might subsequently be composed of misfits because of lack of academic and intellectual rationality in most of the candidates. But according to me academic qualification and intelligence alone will not count if there is no integrity and good moral character as well. The integrity of two of our highly academically qualified repre-sentatives who are also intellectually endowed is in tatters as they were recently alleged to be involved in recruitment scams. While the one in the Education Department seems to leave no doubt about such an involvement, the one in the Soil and Water Conservation Department as reported recently, does point to the representative’s connection since the Department comes under his control and the people irregularly recruited are all from his constituency. If such representatives from whom we have high expectations to steer our people in the right and proper direction choose to behave irrationally instead and that too on a matter which has far reaching, adverse implications for the future of people then where do we go from here? Can we expect such representatives who do not seem to have any conscience, to make amends if they are again chosen to be our representatives? It’s a far cry indeed as it is well stated that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. So help us God!
Yours etc.,
P Marbaniang,
Shillong-3
MeECL incompetence – too much to handle
Editor,
Apropos the news item” Leshka project exposes MeECL incompetence” (ST 14th Jan 2012),it is indeed strange and ridiculous that the Chief Secretary of the state who is burdened with running the state secretariat is also allowed to simultaneously head the MeECL. He must be superbly efficient to be able to gain the confidence of the powers that be in the Government for so long . But then no man can serve two masters and that too when both the masters demand constant attention. Why have the people in power allowed such an arrangement to continue in spite of all the negative outputs is a mystery. There is a limit to every human capacity to shoulder excessive responsibilities and the best person to appreciate this is the person who carries the burden himself. Therefore I see no reason as to why this person himself does not politely refuse to carry on such a heavy burden when he cannot effectively deliver both ways. Surely he must have senses that it is beyond his ability and endurance. No one can forcefully thrust the responsibility on him if he does not desire it so himself. At the end of it all, If one has to be in public service one should get the satisfaction that one has delivered rather than regret at not being able to do so.
Yours etc.,
Robert Sawkmie
Via email