Editor,
The recent wave of agitation by our teachers is a revival of the long standing issues concerning the state of education and its administration/management. It is unfortunate that the torch-bearers of the society have to resort to such programmes and that too for legitimate and workable demands. That it has come to this is a direct result of the indifference and non-responsive attitude of the state leadership for many years together.
It is true that resources (mostly financial) are always limited relative to the demands and as such this represents constraints in the working relationship between the state leadership and the concerned stakeholders. However, this cannot be taken as a deterrent to holding of dialogue and formulation of a framework for problem-solving. That we have a teacher as the education minister raises expectations that he will be more sensitised and sensitive to the plight of the education sector and the teaching segment (who primarily are the major stakeholders). Clearly, this should have acted as a stimulus for moving forward collectively, by analysing the issues at hand and devising a blueprint for dealing with them. Consequent, to the argument that the best minds do not consider teaching as a career, the answer is – ‘why should they if this is the state of affairs. It is an irony that during these times the political leadership conveniently takes the opportunity to wish our teachers ‘teachers day’. I clearly think it is a mismatch. It is like wishing happy birthday to a hungry person when you yourself are responsible for their hunger and dismay.
Overall, a society that does not respect their teachers and give them due recognition shall have to pay dearly in the years to come. What is required at present is for the masses to give their moral support to our teachers’ cause as development of the state means taking care of the growth and development of the education sector.
Yours etc,
Benjamin Lyngdoh
NEHU Campus
Shillong – 22
Justify the ILP
Editor,
The ILP is supposed to put a stop to the influx leading to illegal settlement of migrants. However, it has taken a form where the means are questionable and do not justify the ends. The agitations on the part of the NGO can be understood but we fail to understand the untoward violent incidents in the State Capital. What actually is the issue and are the means and ways right? If ILP means causing trouble to the masses and affecting the safety of the inhabitants settled here for generations then it is a shame. It is a shame that medical professionals and old residents of the State are not safe even when the issue is about protection of Meghalayans. Many local people or Khasis to be specific travel and settle around the world without facing similar threats. The untoward incidents need to be condemned. If we are not safe among ourselves then how do we justify the demand of being protected? I suggest that NGOs justify what actually is it all about and let them ensure that ordinary citizens pursuing their duties do not face life threatening attacks. The issue needs to be re- evaluated and addressed by better means rather than causing trouble to the innocent.
Yours etc.,
Sonarika Khonglah
Via email
Eco Warriors
Editor,
Reading your news report “Battalion to preserve eco on the anvil” (ST Sep 5, 2013) makes me cry and laugh. What is the Chief Minister’s motives in creating a battalion, getting new recruits etc.? What is he aiming to achieve when the government has to spend Rs 70-80 crores? What about the available resources? For safe guarding the environment and effective use of resources, I think the 2010 edition MBOSE Class VIII Social Science Text Book can do a good job for a start, in relation to eco-balance. It refers to the four R’s of conservation/eco-balance, namely – Re-use, Re-cycle, Re-fuse, Re-duce. We don’t need a think-tank for this (they don’t really think, an appropriate word would be Cash-in-Tank). If the Chief Minister and his cohorts are really serious about conservation of all resources (which directly connects to the ecology they want or need) to protect) they must start from the top as rightly pointed out by Kenneth Khonglam in his letter “Mere eye wash for more funds” dated 5th, Sept, 2013.
Regarding the Eco-battalion, are they forest guards? We can’t even improve the condition/facilities of our present forest guards? Are we trying to bring martial law to protect the environment? For a long term and sustainable approach, the grassroots/community (bottoms-up approach)is best. There are many ways on how to go about it. Many might disagree but look at the instances, research findings, monographs and myriad of empirical evidences. This eco warrior scheme is not thinking out of the box at all.
Yours etc.,
UD Tmar,
Shillong-6