Editor,
In pursuit of higher education and qualifications, there should be a mutual exchange of knowledge and ideas. With reference to the news, ‘NEHU research scholar alleges harassment’ (ST April, 24th 2014) which is said to be tantamount to academic highhandedness of the concerned department in the University. The reports also says that there have been instances of similar situations occurring though those have not yet surfaced. In this situation, the scholars are always at the receiving end and it affects their emotional/mental condition. Many student/scholars have left the University or the pursuit of a PhD. For a PhD student, the time spent during the course is often frustrating, financially draining and an emotional strain. Completing a Ph.D takes perseverance (an average of 5-7 years) Since the students encounter several problems each day they depend on their guides or supervisors for support, encouragement, guide and advice. But on many occasions (as reported in your paper) teachers/supervisors who harass the lady scholars/scholars are least bothered. Rarely have the errant teachers been punished, thereby encouraging them to continue with these old habits. NEHU is not alone; these problems plague the academia and research laboratories in India. Recently, petitions were sought to fight against the harassment faced by PhD students in CDRI, Lucknow. Last year, the VC of JNU, New Delhi suspended a teacher (Prof. K R Nayar, who was faculty of Centre of Social Medicine and Community Health) who was involved in harassing a girl student. Those involved in harassing/molesting lady scholars in NEHU must be dealt with in the same way. Though the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, issued notice vide no. F.4-6/2011(CCM) dated 29/07/2011 as checkpoints to oversee conduct in higher education against harassments/discriminations towards students; the situation remains more or less the same and needs attention.
I request the Vice Chancellor and Executive Council members of the University who directly deal with the well-being of their scholars to take note of these directives and establish grievances cell for research scholars which will addresses the issues and prevent such incidents from recurring. These will definitely bring down incidences of bias and favoritism that one comes across in academia and research institutes in India.
Yours etc.,
Hmunshel Jasha
PhD Scholar, NEHU, Shillong
Rescheduled load-shedding
Editor,
I wish to draw the attention of the Public Relations Officer (PRO) and the authorities of Meghalaya Energy Corporation and and to ask them to clear certain doubts about the Notice for regulating load-shedding for saving power. In our locality load- shedding is scheduled from 00:00hrs to 02:00 hrs and again from 08:00 hrs to 10:00 hrs. Now that the load-shedding has increased to six hours from four hours would it mean that there would be no power from 00:00 hr to 05:00 hrs and 08:00 hrs to 13:00 hrs? Water supply in Rynjah including Lumshngain with about 5000 residents are dependent on power supply from MeECl. So unless an alternate arrangement is made after consultation with PHE authorities we will face grave water problems as well. Please therefore have a rethink on this issue and take measures only after consultation with all concerned departments / people who are directly being victimised for no fault of theirs. Not only our locality but the whole of city of Shillong will suffer as GSWSS is also dependent on power supply from MeECL. Why not purchase from Power Grid or other organisations that produce electricity?
Yours etc.
N.Bhattacharjee,
President, R & R Colony Welfare Society
Shillong-6.