Editor,
The letter “Football vs Cricket (ST 27 May, 2013) by PB Das, has rightly pointed out the progress of football which we are all aware and proud of. However, regarding his comment on cricket in Meghalaya during the on-going cricket bashing season in the country, emanating from the sordid saga of IPL, is uncalled for. Football in Meghalaya to-day occupies the position and passion which cricket reflects in national context compared to other sports.
His comment on cricket in Meghalaya and particularly MCA is factually incorrect. The actual position has been widely reported from time to time in the media. MCA was granted “affiliate” membership of BCCI in 2008-2009 after a relentless struggle since 2003. Affiliate status is the lowest category. After 5 years, subject to satisfactory performance the next category status is “associate” member and finally “permanent” member after a period of 6 to 7 years as an associate. There is no short route or double promotion; but performance in management and a separate tournament held for affiliate and associate members. Meghalaya has participated every year since 2009 in all age categories tournament held at Chattisgarh, West Bengal etc. Last year it reached the finals of U-19 & U-22 category and was runners-up to Chattisgarh and Manipur respectively – both states are associate members of BCCI since last 15 years. MCA has been hosting a particular category of the tournament every year either in the U-16 or women’s category at Shillong, including national level coaching camps, workshops etc. Moreover, in management, accounting and development of the game among all affiliate districts, Meghalaya has been occupying the first position among NADP States of BCCI (duly recognized by the Board on several occasions) which include Nagaland, Manipur, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh etc. The status is granted after thorough appraisal by experts in the ground. MCA is the front runner for being elevated to the next level this year. We have sponsored Coaches to NCA, Curators, Umpires, and Scorers for advance training at various centres, besides exposure trips for all age category cricketers outside the state.
As regards holding international matches, it is not the prerogative of MCA but the decision of BCCI once a state attains status of permanent member. Tripura for e.g. has been a permanent member of BCCI for last 2 decades but has not hosted any international match till date. All permanent members receive grants to the tune of 20-25 crores annually, while affiliate and associate members till date have received only Rs 50 lakhs as grant. Meghalaya received an additional special grant of Rs 50 lakhs for performance and efforts to develop the game and relevant infrastructure all over the state from school level onwards and not confined to Shillong only. We have a small ground at Polo which is not of standard size. MCA has requested Government of Meghalaya for land outside Shillong for building a stadium and is awaiting grant of suitable land for last few years. All this have been published in the media on several occasions. Our Annual Reports contains all details which is not possible to highlight in this letter.
Instead of making wild and baseless allegations the writer should have verified his concerns from MCA officials and checked relevant reports before embarking on a defamatory and imaginative diatribe. I invite the writer to meet us and enlighten himself on the facts and achievements of MCA with limited resource. The rejoinder is not meant as a justification but to enlighten hundreds of well wishers whom the writer is trying to misguide with an ulterior motive, not in the interest of the game and the young cricketers.
Yours etc,
Naba Bhattacharjee
Honorary Secretary
Meghalaya Cricket Association
Shillong.
No labels please
Editor,
Apropos Elizabeth Shangpliang’s rejoinder to my letter, should I be labeled irresponsible for expressing the pain, agony, humiliation and disgust every time I read about a young girl or a woman being raped not just here but in the entire country. Rape seems like a trend to be emulated by many more men simply because justice is delayed or denied. Most perpetrators are allowed to go scot free and lead a normal life while the poor victims live with lifelong scars. Perhaps Kong Shangpliang failed to comprehend the nuances of my letter. I do not support nor give credence to any terrorist group. But whenever justice is thwarted people tend to lose faith in the system and become vigilantes. As a parting shot, may I ask how Kong Shangpliang is privy to the fact that the statement of ANVC (B) women’s cadre was just a publicity stunt? I wish that a woman would understand the pain of a woman defiled, but alas!
Your etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Shillong-4
Every viewpoint merits debate
Editor,
Apropos “Radiation hazard cannot be dismissed” by Daisy Kharkongor (ST May 29, 2013), my fear of failing to convince people has come true. Daisy has cited numerous findings in her favour. I am equally equipped to cite some examples. The Norwegian Expert Committee dealing in non ionizing radiation has this to say ,”The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has not observed other adverse health effects at the operating level. As a matter of fact, they are 50 times below the level that causes heating of human tissues or stimulation of nerve cells. Again the BBC has conducted a survey of over 3,50,000 mobile users and found that there is no risk at all, as feared. I know there will be points and counter-points on this subject and the best would be for a layman to conduct a survey without a need to go Hi-fi on the matter. Let me inform that antennas have their own radiation patterns which have many limitations and suffer a lot of attenuation per 100 meters. Hence if you are ten meters away from a mobile tower and check your signal strength, you will not get a full signal. Radar was invented by the British in the beginning of the 2nd World War. In spite of this priceless piece of invention, London was bombed day in and day out by the Germans. The reason is the radar waves just like our mobile waves cannot “look down.” So the German bombers flew a few meters above the English Channel and suddenly appeared on the mainland. By the time the siren was sounded it was too late. Important to note is that our mobile set using almost 0.6 watts of power to transmit, if placed at 0 distance from our cheek is a more deadly transmitter. In this context USA and China, which have been using mobile phones since 1985 would have lost a huge population to Cancer in the ear region. Lastly, I request that no matter how strongly Daisy feels about mobile towers, I am not in that club of tobacco lobbyists. I write with the knowledge I have earned after teaching for 37 years. I don’t earn a single penny from any mobile network company. I write because I don’t want any obstruction at this juncture to the most significant contribution of the telecom industry in the 20th and 21st century.
Yours etc.,
Wandell Passah
Retd HOD (SEC)
Revamp Polytechnic Education
Editor,
In the first place I appreciate the service rendered by the polytechnics to impart technical education to the students of our state. The contribution is immense since it’s the monopoly in this field of education in the state. The trained students have been a valuable workforce for the state in different capacities. Despite the best effort that polytechnics are making to cater to the needs of the students, yet there is much room for improvement.
Currently, the admission process is going on in Shillong, Tura and Jowai Polytechnics. As per the advertisement (ST 22/05/13) one needs an IPO of Rs 11 to buy the admission form. On May 23rd, I went to the GPO for an IPO (since all other post offices in and around Bara Bazar have exhausted their stock). There was a long queue at the GPO for IPOs. I spent nearly half of my day there. Some who did not have prior information that they needed an IPO for the form had to run to and fro between the Polytechnic and the post office. My humble question to the Polytechnic authorities is, why can’t we buy the form in cash? I propose that Government do away with the IPO system. What happened to e-governance?
As per the current system, anyone applying for admission to the Polytechnic has to appear for the interview/screening test to be notified by the school. We know that admission is based purely on merit i.e. the percentage of Mathematics and Science marks at the SSLC. So why do candidates need to attend such interview/screening test? Should a verification of mark-sheet/certificate not be enough? Let us devise means to lessen the cost of attending such interviews for our candidates. Marsheets and certificates of Shillong based candidates meant for Tura Polytechnic should be verified at Shillong and vice versa. This should apply to Jowai candidates as well.
If the admission is based on entrance tests then the rigmarole can be appreciated. The merit system is good but the verification system, faulty. In previous years the Polytechnics used to start their sessions in late September or October. Students lose valuable time of one semester The authorities concerned should start the sessions in line with what other Higher Secondary schools/colleges do for their first years. I also learnt that Tura and Jowai Polytechnics have not had full time principals for years together. It seems they are being run like satellites by Principals stationed at Shillong. Is this viable?
However, I appreciate the early advertisement for admissions this year. Perhaps there are some committed and far sighted incumbents who desire to bring change and take the Polytechnics to greater heights. I hope the initiatives for change get the necessary support from the Department concerned. The Polytechnics in the state should grow and expand both quantitatively and qualitatively. It is high time that some get upgraded into Engineering Institutes which the state is badly in need of.
Yours etc.,
Airpeace Ranee,
Shillong -4