Editor,
I congratulate Prof. Srikanth for the article “Whither NEHU” (ST 11, July 2013). His bold but balanced analysis of the situation prevailing in NEHU needs appreciation. Much has been happening in NEHU’s underbelly which the public are probably unaware off. Srikanth’s write up provides some perspective on the NEHU situation. It is a fact that there are tangible undercurrents within the university fraternity that runs deep and wide. This has brought about mistrust and to some degree animosity which unfortunately has permeated down to the students. Only time will tell how this gap is bridged. The NEHU teaching association is already fractured. The question is where do we go from here. What happens to NEHU as an institution that is striving for excellence? The atmosphere is vitiated and the situation deteriorating but to what extent? Can we the stakeholders rise above our personnel gains to ensure that NEHU’s motto- “rise up and build” translates into action?
Like any other organization, NEHU has its fair share of performers, non-performers and under-performers, in all spheres, teaching and non-teaching alike. The question is which comprise the majority? In any department/organization -State or central, public or private this ratio is a factor that will either pull down or accelerate and provide the impetus for growth and excellence. While the influence of a Vice Chancellor towards institution building is significant, we cannot however shirk our own responsibilities and contribution to institution making. It is a collective responsibility. It’s not always what we can get but what we can give that is the hallmark and criteria for growth, progress and excellence. We need a Vice Chancellor who is grounded in reality but also capable, wise and strong enough to usher in an atmosphere necessary for propelling and pulling/hauling up wherever it applies. For NEHU to reach the excellence status will require “sacrifice” and putting in that “extra mile”. As an Alumni president designate, I appeal to all stakeholders, those who love NEHU, to stand true to our motto -“rise up and build”.
Yours etc.,
Prof. D. Syiem,
NEHU
Please help Garo Hills
Editor,
Meghalaya is fast developing and there are many facilities available but some areas are still very neglected. My aunt is a patient undergoing dialysis (for kidney failure) in one of the hospitals in Shillong. Apart from expenditure which is exorbitant the amount of leave that I am required to take from work is worse. This letter is to request our Chief Minister, who happens to be a medical doctor himself not to neglect the needs of the rural areas where people also suffer from the same diseases and undergo the same problems like those in the urban areas. This is my humble request. Our C.M needs to be a little more sensitive to the sufferings of poor people and at least set up haemo- dialysis machines in the hospitals in Garo Hills which will help people like us in the rural areas. It is doubly difficult for people like us to travel from the rural areas to Shillong to undergo dialysis spending obscene amounts of money. Our ministers and legislators must listen to the woes of this suffering soul and set up a haemo- dialysis machine in Garo Hills which will benefit thousands of others (like my aunt) who are suffering from the same problem.
Yours etc.
Twinkle Marak
Tura.
Indian citizens but no EPIC
Editor,
In the website of Chief Electoral Officer of Meghalaya, it is proudly declared that ‘it has 100% coverage of Photo Electoral Rolls and EPICs’. Our experience in this regard is not so pleasant.
My wife and I applied for the EPIC card online ( applicant code AW1712100001 and AW1712100002) in October 16, 2012 before the Assembly election. Mandatory personal appearance procedure was also completed before the magistrate as we were asked for. All required documents were submitted but till date the EPIC cards have not been issued to us. Neither have we been informed about the reason for rejecting our application , if any. Towards residential proof, we submitted the copies of our passports, where Nazareth Hospital Quarters, Laitumkhrah is mentioned as our residence. We have been staying in Shillong for more than 10 years. We also submitted copies of the ‘acknowledgement receipt’ of survey done by the Govt agencies for the ‘National Population Register’. It is not understood how the Chief Electoral Office of Meghalaya does not recognize ‘Nazareth Hospital Quarters’ in Shillong. We hereby request the CEO to look into the matter and issue us the EPIC cards.
Yours etc.,
Dr Shantanu Dutta,
Shillong-3