Editor,
I was enrolled for PhD from CMJ University in April 2013. Initially I was asked to submit a soft version of the PhD Application and the copies of educational credentials. Later the University official called me over phone and interviewed me with some pertinent questions after which I got an official email from the University that I can submit the original application, self attested educational certificates and a demand draft for INR 67,000. I had sent the documents and requisite fees by DHL courier to the University Special Collection Center located at Kolkata. Later it was confirmed that the documents and fees were received by the University official. I have verified my enrolment details in their website in April 2013. Now I got to know from several newspapers including yours that the Governor of Meghalaya as Visitor has pointed out that the University has engaged in irregularities in admissions and awarding degrees. I am a genuine student who approached the University directly to pursue PhD to advance my career. Now I want to withdraw my PhD registration from the University and would like to get back the fees as per recent directive from the Governor. I have tried calling the numbers in the University website but have got no response from them. I am currently working and living at Dubai. Would you please assist me in the withdrawal process. I am very much concerned. I can send all the relevant documents if required.
Yours etc.,
Ganesh Gomu
Dubai
Rape and justice
Editor,
At first glance the news headlines, “ANVC (B) women cadres vow to punish rapist” (ST, 26th May 2013) gives a ray of hope that justice would be meted out to those young girls and women who have been violated (gang-rape etc). It may sound barbaric on my part and I apologise for suggesting this but in a rape case the scales are always tilted in favour of the man. This is because evidence gathering is always weak in Meghalaya. Every day we read about yet another girl or woman being raped. Justice has always been delayed and denied in our country. It takes a woman to understand the pain, agony and stigma that a rape victim goes through for the rest of her life. Ours is a democratic country and every citizen has his/her right to life. So none can simply pick up a gun and shoot at a perpetrator of crime. Yet the message from the ANVC women cadres appears to be just that. I am not in any way suggesting vigilantism and kangaroo courts but going by past records of our weak and lethargic judicial system some aggrieved citizens will want to take the law in their own hands. How many rapists and murderers have been convicted in Meghalaya? Do we wonder why women are so angry and wish to join militant outfits? It is time for the judiciary to do a reality check!
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Shillong -4
Restore glory of cricket
Apropos the editorials titled “IPL scandal”(18 May, 2013) and “Cricket turns betting game”(20 May, 2013), cricket was an absolutely gentleman’s game used to be appreciated by true connoisseurs in Indian winter. But with the advent of one-day cricket, the game began to be played throughout the year. Due to instant and confirmed results, not possible in Tests, and breezy batting with flood of boundaries and sixers, people of lesser cricketing intellect started to dominate the stadiums. But the IPL has indeed struck the last nail in the coffin of Indian cricket. Cricket became uglier due to rash shots by the batsman so as to ensure maximum runs in a mere 20 overs. A batsman, even if completely beaten by a superb delivery from the bowler, still gets a four due to non-existence of slip fielders in T20. Moreover non-cricketing issues started to dominate the circus named IPL with devastating results. Did any civilized person ever envisage that skimpily clad girls would dance seductively outside the boundary line of cricketing arena? When people get more interested in enjoying the curves of the dancing girls instead of the duel between bat and ball, it is a foregone conclusion that cricket is destined to meet a gory death. Thanks to this gross lumpenisation of cricket, spectators of questionable character and credentials would flock the stadium. Moreover when the cricketers are expected to lead a disciplined life, especially when a tournament is being played, franchisees religiously throw late-night parties just after completion of the game. Alcohol, drugs, sex and crass commercialism mark those parties. And in this philistine environment, molestations, ugly brawls and betting are inevitable. IPL has indeed drastically changed the face and environment of cricket in India and that change is for the worse. All things cricket have simply got consigned to oblivion. In the name of entertainment, the erstwhile noble game has been transformed into a milching cow to be exploited to the full by the film stars, industrialists and cricketing mandarins of India.
If the BCCI is really interested in saving and restoring cricket to a gentleman’s game than it should immediately ban the farce named IPL.
Yours etc.,
Kajal Chatterjee,
Kolkata – 114.