Editor,
Diana Mary Pala has aired her dissatisfaction with the role of Church Leaders during the agitations that afflicted our people (ST, 26-10-2013). While she has detailed all their perceived failures, she seems blind to the many good things done to transform our societies not only by Christian churches, but by all religious groups.
Everyone knows the name of the Catholic Church and its gigantic works. The schools in many villages and in the towns, dispensaries, hospital, old age homes, homes and schools for the orphans and disabled, colleges, training and counseling centers, Museum, etc have been set up by missionaries. These activities are mentioned here for the church is catering to Catholics and non Catholics. Till today, we know exactly where people rush to get admissions whether for school or colleges. The reason is simply because our church through its schools and colleges provides the best of education and this is possible because of the tireless, sleepless work and dedication of those who manage these institutions under the able leadership of the Head of the Church and the Bishops such as the present one, Archbishop Dominic Jala.
We thank all the religious leaders for we in North East have reached up to this stage in the fields of education and health care because of the role played by the Catholic Church along with all the other churches and other religions. Our humble suggestion is that the church should keep up and even put in more efforts to uplift the poor and the needy.
Yours etc.,
Dr. Bashida Massar & Dr Veronica Pala,
Via email
CSWO’s hypocrisy
Editor,
CSWO’s tirade against the Govt for law and order breakdown is irrational and hypocritical. The NGO has belatedly tried to disassociate itself from the brutal murder of a young trader in the city with weak denials and late condemnations. It stood by in silence while violence and vandalism raged all around as a direct result of the bandh calls given by them. Only when the ILP movement claimed its second victim did it think it proper to issue a flimsy statement condemning violence, but abjuring all responsibility. Ms Agnes Kharshiing has indeed changed the image of CSWO from an ethical NGO fighting for the downtrodden to an unethical, trigger-happy group of myopic individuals who think nothing of using ordinary citizens for target practice. It cannot claim the moral high ground considering the depths it has sunk to in past months. CSWO should introspect on its crime of inciting violence and destruction in our once peaceful state before attempting to hijack our destiny. People with narrow vision and closed minds cannot aspire to be leaders by any stretch of imagination.
Gerald Thangkiew
J.P. Nagar 2nd Phase, Bangalore
Civil society vindicated and celebrated
Editor,
The success of the ICARE meeting is the success of Civil Society. The speakers spoke as per the dictations of their hearts, their convictions and insights (and maybe even calculation). Even though different views were made and expressed, it was above all else a platform for a unified voice against diktats that can only terrorise, suppress and divide. This is a sure sign of an emerging and progressive society, a society ready for debate, ready for civil confrontation. With time those elements and perceptions that were voiced out and which were not in tune with a progressive democratic order will eventually die out, because of the polishing tide of time and reason and free speech which was celebrated on that day should be enhanced.
Some have argued that the government is responsible for curtailing free speech, and this is true in most cases. However, the truth is that in our situation it is not the government that really hinders free speech, as of now; for if this was so, then all local newspapers and media which have openly displayed their biases by unfailingly presenting a one sided view to the common people would have been shut down. Sadly, in our situation most of us hold our tongue and keep away the pen because we are afraid of violent reactions and for the sake of keeping friends, to avoid being ostracised. But, we have to beat this habit of keeping mum if we are to change society and move forward. It will also serve well if we remember that demanding politely for something does not necessarily make the demand democratic, a demand is democratic so long as it is inclusive, otherwise the demand becomes nothing more than a device for a few to gain preponderance.
Yours etc.,
Obadiah Lamshwa Lamare,
Via email
Shame on BSNL !
Editor,
I wish to bring to the notice of the general public the glaring inefficiency of BSNL, our proud national telecommunication service. There is nothing proud about it but only shame. Our College broadband connection has been out of service due to a dead phone line. It is already over a fortnight since this happened. We have been ringing the BSNL office for days on end now to address to our grievances. Every officer is full of empty promises. They keep telling us that it is going to be remedied soon. But that “soon” has become fifteen days now. Neither the sector officer nor the local technician has been of any help. Is this what we pay for? The office sends us monthly bills on a regular basis with the due date for payment and a penalty for a delayed payment. However, when it comes to responding to consumers’ grievances the office is in no hurry at all and unfortunately there is no penalty for their delayed response. Due to their inefficiency and zero responsibility I know many other consumers have been put in trouble. Our College administration has been seriously affected due to internet non-function. Correspondence has been stalled and many other essential services have been badly affected. Will BSNL pay for all our loss and inconveniences? If the officers responsible are unable to respond to the consumers’ grievances then why on earth are they employed there? As a BSNL consumer I am highly disappointed by their lack of professionalism, efficiency and their insensitivity towards the consumers’ feelings. I appeal to the higher authority to take up this issue on a serious note.
B.Mawrie,
Via email