Editor,
In recent weeks “The Shillong Times” has published a number of thought provoking and enlightening letters to the editor. Some writers offered out of the box ideas to address the dilemmas being faced by a large section of voters for selecting their representatives to the next Legislative Assembly. Of special note are letters written by Daisy Kharkongor, Jenniefer Dkhar, Tushar K. De, K.L. Tariang and Donaldson Shanpru . To my mind, these people have raised the level of public discourse on the above issue several notches higher.
To me, the queerest but most practical idea in the present almost hopeless circumstances seems to be the one preferred by Donaldson Shanpru in his letter “Let’s Give Voters A Choice” dated 30th Jan 2013. To quote Mr. Shanpru, “Those who can, do! Those who can’t, cry!”. In this context I am sure that I belong to the second category of people who would “CRY” even if they cannot “DO” like Mr. Shanpru who seems intent to “DO”. Moreover, Mr. Shanpru seems to be an ardent admirer of Rabindranath Tagore and it also seems that he is about to do what Tagore exhorts in his poem “Ekla Chalo Re” (Walk Alone). However, I would like to assure Shanpru that he will not walk alone. He has one vote from my side and I hope he will set a trend even in defeat.
Yours etc.,
Petrus Khongshei,
Shillong-3
Good to laugh at ourselves
Editor,
A stand up comedy show was recently held in the city featuring comedians from Mumbai. The show opened with an act by local magician John Paul followed by the comic routine of Sapan Verma and Sourabh Pant. The duo had the audience in splits, with their gags and comic jabs at different Indian stereotypes, like the opinionated Bengali and the tipple loving Punjabi. Some sporting members of the audience were held as representatives of their communities and made to suffer the humorous innuendos thrown at them. It was all in good fun and by the end of the show, everyone was left clutching their sides with laughter. The organizers, Walk With 9 Lives, must be commended for bringing some fresh amusement to a city that has scant entertainment options on a Saturday evening. Perhaps local talent could also be inspired to hone their skills at such events and make light of our own idiosyncrasies as well. To quote Erma Bombeck, “If you can’t make it better, you can laugh at it”.
Yours etc.,
Ridalin Jyrwa
Shillong-1
Teachers’ recruitment scam
Editor,
The arrest of former Haryana Chief Minister, Om Prakash Choutala for his involvement in the LP school teachers’ recruitment scam has resulted in a series of actions against the “tainted person”. The CM`s son and other government officials were similarly involved in the illegal appointment of over 3200 teachers by forging documents. The Haryana CM was sent packing to the National Capital`s Tihar Jail after he was convicted by the Delhi High Court for the illegal recruitment of teachers, after the CBI special judge pronounced him and others guilty, leading to offences under the Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act.
Interestingly, the same illegal exercise was committed by our politicians. The CBI had already convicted the then Education Minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh, who is the main accused in the teachers’ recruitment scam along with as many other legislators of the Congress, including Charles Pyngrope, AL Hek, and Prestone Tynsong besides Sanbor Shullai (NCP) who had made recommendations for the appointment of their candidates. I`m surprised as to why the culprits have not been punished as yet? Why is the Meghalaya Police not arresting the guilty persons as done by the Haryana Police? If the Haryana Police could immediately arrest the former Haryana CM after an order of the Delhi High Court, why is the same theorem involving the same rules not exercised in Meghalaya? Is it that because the scam had been committed by the leading lights of the present government? Hence the government cannot arrest the government? It appears that there is no rule of law prevailing in the state since all culprits go unpunished.
As a citizen of Meghalaya, I urge the concerned authorities to award tangible punishment to the culprits involved in the LP teachers’ recruitment scam so that law and order situation will exist in our state otherwise the right to equality has no value. We don`t need any more Committee to find out the truth, as the CBI is already a supreme authority in conviction.
Yours etc.,
Fullmoon Lyngdoh Kynshi
Langtor (via) Mairang
P.O: Mairang
Office of employment exchange Shillong
Editor,
Through your daily esteemed newspaper, I request the Chief Engineer, PWD (Buildings) Meghalaya, and the contractor concerned to please expedite the construction of the Employment Exchange office at Keating Road for the convenience of the literate, educated un-employed youth to register their names in the office which is centrally located in Shillong. The office was destroyed by fire in 1985 and the delay is due to a court case. The office of the Chief Engineer P.W.D. (Building) Shillong called for Short Tender Notice vide its letter No PW/CE/BD/91190/56 Dated 26-5-2009 to complete the work within 30 (thirty) months. It was stated that any delay should be settled with the office or contractor concerned. The completion of work within 2013 would be a gift by the new Government to be formed soon.
Yours etc,
I S Mawrie)
Retired Employee,
Divisional Employment Exchange,
Shillong.