Editor,
Apropos the article by Sadon K. Blah (ST SEP 26, 2013) titled ‘ILP no deterrence to development and tourism,’ it is important to (re) inform readers that this title is a sweeping overstatement intentioned to mislead. It largely reflects a bigoted opinion of the author.
Firstly, I support the author when he says that ‘development has many dimensions’. I am trained in scientific research and based on my experiences in India and overseas, I am qualifying myself to comment on how development through this field is usually initialized and mediated: it is through national and international workshops and interactions between experts in which there is exchange of new ideas, technical know-how and networking so as to enable collaborative work and concerted problem solving. This kind of an approach is essential because scientific problems are multifaceted and require considerable expenditure on infrastructure and equipment. An essential requirement in this field therefore is facilitated movement/travel of these experts.
For the rest of the world, Meghalaya is considered to be a remote part of India. Traveling to Meghalaya from most parts of India and the world (excepting for Bangladeshis and other illegal immigrants supposedly) is a relatively expensive and/or time-consuming exercise. This fact combined with the reputation of the entire North-East India as a disturbed/violence prone area has in these many years restrained/slowed scientific developments.
Now, the ILP refers to the requirement of procurement of a permit to enter Meghalaya. Anybody who has applied for a visa will definitely know how hassle-some and time consuming the entire process can be. This is true on applying even to a country with a highly efficient workforce. On implementation of the ILP one can then imagine the advance planning and sustained effort one (especially a foreign national) would require to reach Meghalaya. This would definitely be a serious deterrent (even a complete no-no) for any world-renowned, sought after and busy scientific expert. A similar situation may arise for visiting medical specialists who could otherwise help in the much-needed cure of ‘our health sector is in shambles.’ And yes the sad irony would be that the motive of these individuals is not to usurp our resources or of ‘settling here and pose a threat to our economic and political rights and our future’. So in this respect, what today is slow development, with the ILP in effect will most probably deteriorate to a standstill.
The second point to be made is that the Central Government is a major facilitator and investor for development in Meghalaya. Take for example the setting up of the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Shillong, the only IIM in the entire North-east region. Such institutions do not only serve as evident benchmarks for the indigenous youth but can give them a feeling that the unlimited opportunities of the world are within their reach too. However, the Central Government is justifiably constrained with the need to look out for all Indians. On implementation of the ILP, all non-Meghalayans will be harassed by the need of procurement of a permit. Why then would the Central Government willingly consider setting up other such institutions in Shillong/ Meghalaya? Logically non-ILP North-east states like Assam, Manipur or Tripura would be better contenders in a future claim for such institutions. On a similar note, anybody who envisions a Central Government funded, national-level, high-standard medical, engineering, scientific or humanities institution in Meghalaya should obviously postpone their dreams to an unforeseeable, distant future. The hardest hit in such a scenario would be meritorious, ambitious, indigenous youth who cannot afford expenditure on travel or living outside Meghalaya. Would this not build up and amount to self-inflicted marginalization? Isn’t marginalization intuitively correlated with lack of development?
Some observations made by Sadon K. Blah, in my opinion, qualify as truths and half-truths. But, what is absolutely disturbing is the oversimplification of ramifications of the ILP in an undeveloped and remote region like Meghalaya. The need to foresee self-harmful aspects of the ILP is as crucial as supporting measures against illegal immigration or gross corruption within our own system; else how are we to premeditate (if at all) on corrective countermeasures or its modification. One’s stand on the ILP is not simply about the ideology one subscribes to but about making a highly informed, intelligent and weighted choice; a choice that would affect lives of the indigenous people in not just a few but numerous aspects. In this context, making such a sweeping statement by the author is irresponsible and totally uncalled for.
Yours etc.,
Dr. Carmelita Marbaniang,
Shillong-1
Bandh culture destroying students’ future
Editor,
Gone are the days when I used to walk freely in the streets of Garo Hills without any fear and enjoy beauty, peace and harmony of the place but now not so. These days, all of us are aware about the burning issues like ILP on one side and demand for the separate state of Garoland on the other. Both are burning issues and genuine issues for the people. It is a contemporary that everyone is speaking about and looking for a solution. But where is the solution to the problem? Looks like the series of bandhs are the only solutions. For any and every problem now there is a bandh. Are frequent bandhs good for the development, peace and progress of the state? Is bandh of any good to society, state and the country at large?
Here Bandh means total shut down of everything: government offices, schools, colleges. Everything comes to a standstill. Should we thank the people who invented this bandh culture which all seem to enjoy these days? Students, teachers, government officials are getting more paid holidays due to bandhs. The happiest people are children because they have no classes, so neither home work or class work to do. Parents don’t know how to occupy their children during bandh days so they give them mobile phones to free them from their burdens. Thus children are busy with mobile surfing through various web sites and social network sites. Some students watch three to four movies at a time and others venture out of their homes with friends. As I work in one of the biggest schools in Tura, where the highest numbers of students appear in SSLC examination every year, I am acutely aware of the pernicious nature of bandhs and their effect on the work culture of students. Their studies have been continuously disrupted due to bandhs. Many students have lost interest in studies. Just think of classes 9 and 10 students who are preparing for their selection tests. They need to complete the syllabus before pre-selection and selection tests. Students need to go through revision-process if they want to do well in selection tests.
Even the Right of Education is violated by frequent Bandhs. Instead of teaching our children study and work culture they are learning the bandh culture. They learn to throw stones on vehicles and later on they will throw stones on our heads, for sure. Are people aware of the pass percentage of students in Garo Hills in the SSLC exams every year? It reveals the real truth about education. Who are the real losers? Certainly not outsiders but insiders Remember, we are damaging, destroying and ruining the lives of thousands of our own students by depriving them of their rights “the Right to Education.” Ultimately they will destroy us.
If bandhs are the ultimate answer and solution to our problems then lets go ahead with them. But if not then it is my humble request for those who are responsible for calling frequent bandhs to give up this tyrannical instrument and leave the educational institutions out of their purview. The present will affect the future therefore build and shape the lives of the students now for the future. Unfortunately students’ voices are not heard. So parents wake up and fight for the rights of your children to pursue education. Your children’s future is at stake!
Yours etc.,
Punit Kumar Lakra
Chandmari-Tura