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