Editor,
I agree with the overall summing up of the desecration and despicable condition of Iewduh by Barnes Mawrie (ST July 30, 2014). Yes Iewduh has become a hub of anti-social elements. Be it corruption, theft, flesh trading, rampant drinking of both men and women and lots more can all be found at Iewduh. It is difficult to walk freely while marketing as the pathways are crowded with hawkers who conveniently set up shop anywhere they want. In fact one has to be extremely careful while walking lest one tramples on their goods and face their ire and the foul -mouthed onslaught of the sellers. Sadly this happens because the authority concerned like the Myntri of the Syiem of Mylliem have failed in duties as guardians of the Iewduh. Instead they have become a party to the general climate of corruption. Also they see Iewduh as a means to personal fulfilment and extort as much as possible without a care about the market’s general improvement.
As such, while appreciating the steps taken by Ardent Basaiawmoit, CEM, KHADC to restore the past glory of Iewduh, it is also important for the CEM to understand as to who is responsible for the despicable condition of this market. How was this pathetic state of the market allowed to prevail if not with the collusion of the so-called guardians of Iewduh? A very tough line of action is called for to punish those responsible. The traders and shopkeepers and even the buyers have a responsibility to keep Iewduh clean. If the authorities are strict and care about the welfare of the people and the market, everything else will fall in line. For starters why not begin with those who are the root cause and people who have shied away from their duties?
In agreement with the CEM of KHADC it is extremely important to clear Iewduh of all those who have made it their residence. No one should be allowed to stay overnight as Iewduh is a place for trade and commerce and not a residential area.
On several occasions through this esteemed daily I have pointed out that God will not bless Iewduh in spite of the annual rituals and prayers performed because of the prevalence of filth and dirt. Anyone can take a look at the place where the annual ritual takes place and see for themselves how unkempt the place is. The Syiem of Mylliem and his Myntri (s) must first and foremost work on cleaning the filth and dirt at Iewduh instead of making the annual affair an empty show.
Yours etc.,
Jennifer Dkhar,
Shillong-4
Teachers or tyrants?
Editor,
A shocking incident happened in a reputed school located near IGP Point in town. A nursery student of this school was locked up inside a room for several hours by a teacher. This child’s fault was that it snatched away a chocolate from another child. Out of fear and paranoia the child developed fever. The child’s doctor told the parents that such shocks at a tender age can have a damaging effect on the child’s psyche. If teachers don’t understand child psychology and don’t know how to handle misbehaviour in the classroom then they don’t qualify to be teachers in the first place. There are many different ways in which this issue could have been tackled instead of punishing the child through detention. Snatching food items or other articles from fellow students is part of childish behaviour. It is not a crime so the child should have been counselled instead of being punished. In the West, school authorities conduct behavioural pattern tests on teachers who are to teach kindergarten classes because they require special skills when compared to teachers of higher classes.
This incident, which is the second of its kind in this school, indicates that more stringent tests need to be applied on teachers of lower classes before appointing them. The incident has left a scar in the mind of the child which will take long to heal. Such senseless teachers need to be pulled up for their illiterate acts. Perhaps it is time for parents to file lawsuits against such imbecilic teachers so that such incidents do not recur. This state has several schools named after saints but the action and behaviour of the teachers is far from saintly.
Yours etc.
BC Paul
Shillong – 4