Editor,
The recently concluded ‘ Shillong Jazz & Blues Festival’ on the 17th March,2014 in my opinion, was anything but that considering the roster of artistes involved. Talk at the venue was that 31st of March is around the corner so some spending was in order. The organizers, Image Nation and all those involved ( Meghalaya Tourism, Royal Stag, Red FM Dept of Govt Of Meghalaya, Dept. of Arts & Culture) should understand the meaning of the terms Jazz and Blues before organizing and supporting a festival that propagates the above genres of music. I do not wish to point a finger at any of the artistes who performed at the so called festival as they, being musicians and performers, would grab any opportunity to perform for an audience and also earn a little money, considering the lack of opportunities in Shillong.
As a Blues musician and one who has spent the last 12 years of my life spreading awareness of this important genre of music with my band Soulmate, all over India and other parts of the world, feel that there was little or no respect given for these beautiful genres of music by the organizers of this festival.
I feel insulted, NOT because Soulmate wasn’t included among the line-up of performers but because these terms Blues and Jazz were taken so lightly. The organizers may think that the people of Shillong can be taken for a ride! Not so. Not any more! There was a small bunch of young boys and girls who had come for the show…imagine the impression left in their minds by being misled like this? Thank heaven’s there was not much publicity for the event and hardly any audience either!
My advice to the organizers …the next time you plan on organizing an event like this involving varied musical genres, please change the name of the festival or give us the real deal.
Yours etc., ,
Rudy Wallang,
Via email
Recent MPSC ADO selection
Editor,
For the last few days the letters to The Shillong Times have focussed on the recent MPSC results for the post of Agricultural Development Officer (ADO) I am one of the candidates who appeared for the interview. I thought I should keep quiet and let this thing pass but seeing those letters pouring through the ST I have the sudden urge to respond. While there have been voices from both quota and non- quota students I would like to express my own views on this matter. Personally I have no bias against quota or non-quota candidates as long as they are selected on merit. However judging by the list of selected candidates I don’t believe the selection was purely on merit. The sudden change in the selection process from written examination to a direct interview at the last moment only raises suspicions about the selection process.
While a suggestion by Nick Lyngdoh for an aptitude test as well an entrance examination is welcome but I disagree with his views that agricultural students pursuing their studies via the quota route are only eyeing for a job without interest in agriculture and can’t serve Meghalaya. To imply that only those who study Agriculture by paying for the seats can serve our farmers is ridiculous. Often I wonder why it is not uncommon to find an agriculture officer serving in the department sending their wards or relatives to study Agriculture in private institutions. Is this happening in other government departments? Till date eight students from Meghalaya qualified for the elite Agricultural Research Service(ARS). Incidentally they all happen to be quota-based students (I apologize if I am not aware of any non- quota candidate who qualified for ARS ).
In closing let me say that I know most of the Agricultural students very well and some were very disappointed after the result came out. Most of us who have been eyeing this job didn’t get through. But why don’t we look beyond that job interview by MPSC. Most of us are very brilliant and MPSC doesn’t select the brilliant ones! Some of us, I believe, deserved to be selected yet somehow the MPSC with all its wisdom found us unfit for the job after the interview. But, there is no dearth of jobs if we could only work a little harder. A job may not necessarily be a government job that we all dream of or a job within the State. Perhaps the State does not deserve our service.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
Job scam: A bizarre claim
Editor,
It’s bizarre the claim of the Government sponsored agricultural graduates that they lost Government jobs because they were left behind by the more meritorious non-quota candidates. Worse they conjectured it to be a job scam. If the sponsored candidates were selected before more meritorious ones then it is a scam. If MPSC had selected candidates based on merit there is no controversy.
Quota system in studies does not mean quota system in jobs. How can quota students expect jobs automatically? How can a quota third class graduate be given a job in favour of a first/second class? How can less meritorious aspirants try to get jobs under the guise of quota privilege? It’s quite shameful! They have no case! They have no sympathy from the public! Selection of quota students should be based on merit and selection for jobs too should be on merit. At the time of selection for jobs the quota question should not come into the picture. Merit based selection should be the norm for all jobs in all sectors – education, medicine, police, civil service etc.
The government should make it very clear to sponsored students under the state quota system that jobs are not guaranteed otherwise it will lead to mediocracy. Excellence should be the catchword for getting any employment.
Yours etc.,
Albert Thyrniang,
Via email