Editor
While strongly condemning the rape of two minor girls by the Ampati police officer, I would like to ask FKJGP what on earth are they trying to accomplish by ordering a “shutter down” in Garo Hills? Who are they hurting with their bandh call, the govt or the common people? Haven’t FKJGP gathered any lessons from history about the immense hardship that such autocratic actions inflict on the life of the common people? If FKJGP want to protest, they can do so by staging a dharna in front of the DC office or use some other peaceful means of protest. Why continue this saga of bandhs to hurt the ordinary citizens? This is really shameful, selfish and downright short-sighted of FKJGP to fire their guns from someone else’s shoulder! Let all NGOS take up their issues DIRECTLY WITH GOVT without using the people as sacrificial lambs! Lastly, let govt take immediate steps to recapture the absconding police officer and make an example of him.
Yours etc.,
RG Momin
Tura
Neanderthals out!
Editor,
The letter “For the larger society” (ST June 5, 2013) by Obadiah Lamshwa Lamare is a true picture of modern Khasi society which is sharply divided between two sections: those who stand for peace and progress versus those want to lead us back to the caves (“neanderthals”). I vote for peace and progress. People will not remain silent spectators to the rule of neanderthals in the 21st century. We have lost too much and gained nothing by bowing down to cavemen all this time.
Yours etc.,
T. Shadap
Shillong -4
Those were the days!
Editor,
Thank you Mr. A. H. Scott Lyngdoh, Sir, for taking me back to ‘the Shillong’ of the forties, fifties and the sixties. The Tea Planters and the Oil people never missed a day from the golf course whilst in Shillong on a sojourn. My father who was with the then Burmah Oil Company at Digboi in the forties and the fifties was entitled to a fortnights Hill Station leave every year and we as children spent hours on end around the greenery of the course. In the sixties as a tea planter it was a divine pleasure to go around the course clubbing the golf ball. A walk on the Short Round and a drive on the Long Round-a must on a holiday.
Those were the days, oh yes those were the days which we thought would never end! Who is responsible for the death of the greenery? It is the people and the Government. Why couldn’t we let the greenery remain and today we observe the World Environment Day- what a farce!
Yours etc
Sajjad M. Ali
Shillong-1
Conflict of Goals in NEHU
Editor,
Apropos the report on NEHU and payment of HASA (The Shillong Times, dated 3rd June, 2013), the issue of HASA has been in public discourse for quite some time now and has evolved as one of the examples of conflict between organisational and individual goals. In general, we find that individual goals are not completely aligned to organisational goals. However, it is in the best interests of both that they follow a win-win formula. This is more so because in most cases an individual is mainly known through the organisation and the well-being of the organisation is the well-being of the individual.
I am not raising the point of whether HASA is legal or illegal and whether the cut in financial allocation from source is associated with HASA or otherwise. The fundamental issue here is whether NEHU can continue on this path of being in a state of conflict and non-closure on the matter for long. Many realise that as this continues the image and reputation of the organisation takes a beating in snow-balling proportions. In addition, it creates dysfunctionalities in the day-to-day operations thereby having an adverse impact on the organisational culture and stakeholders. Most importantly, as this conflict in goals continues the brand value of the organisation is eroded in increasing proportions. History tells us that when the brand takes a hit the employees take an even bigger hit. Moreover, what about, “A University with Potential for Excellence” tag? Clearly, this is not the direction to go about it. Lastly, any organisation is a part of a bigger environment which keeps a watch (with amusement/ indifference/concern/resentment) on these developments.
It is imperative that NEHU collates all ideas and brings closure on the matter at the earliest through a win-win formula. As HASA is a long-term issue, a long-term strategy may be best placed for solving the matter. In totality we must realise that closure on this issue is in the interest of all. Individual goals may prevail in the short-term, but, in the long-term they shall definitely suffer as they cannot sustain without the organisation. Hence, it is in the benefit of all that NEHU enters into a realignment mode of its organisational and individual goals through continuous and amicable dialogue.
Yours etc.,
Benjamin Lyngdoh
NEHU Campus
Don’t blame FSL for bad policing
Editor,
Apropos the news caption “Police clueless over spate of rape/murder cases” (Shillong Times dated 29/5/2-13), attributing failure in cracking the cases because of delay in receiving Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) reports is not factually correct. FSL reports/opinions are placed before the Courts of Law as scientific evidence to help ‘nail’ (not nab) charge-sheeted criminals, to get a conviction. So to blame FSL for failure to crack, track and arrest perpetrators of crime is not justified and misplaced.
Yours etc.,
Jolly Lyngdoh,
Via email
Shillong – 22