Editor,
The public rally called none other than the KHADC CEM Mr. Ardent Basaiawmoit is something that no politician in his political career has ever done. His aggressive speech resonates in the minds and hearts of the people present. That was all fine but every public representative whether an MLA or MDC has failed to meet the aspirations of the people; some may have done do only to an extent but have ultimately scaled down after different thoughts coursing through their minds. No MDC talks about how he/she can deliver within a definite time frame. Instead of protesting against a particular method of governance, the Councils should systematize their own delivery mechanisms at the grassroots and also enhance inter-institutional or inter-departmental models development which are now lacking if not completely invisible. In fact a developmental concept should have come from the ADCs in the wake of the NGT ban on coal mining. Talking only about preserving the identity of a tribe is a secondary matter because times have now changed. People now want to see is what an MDC can deliver ahead in a period of five years?
Yours etc…
Dominic S. Wankhar
Shillong-3
Re-examination an unfair suggestion!
Editor,
Apropos the letter to the editor which appeared in your esteemed daily (ST Sep 20, 2014) “MPS Main exams”, we the candidates who had also appeared in the said examination strongly oppose any move to conduct a re-examination in any subject for the MPS examinationfor the following reasons.
Firstly some candidates who had other optional subjects like Sociology and Political Science had their papers continuously back to back from September 8-11 which included the General Studies papers without any gap whatsoever as compared to other optional papers like Economics which was conducted as late as September 16, thereby giving the candidates ample time to have an indispensable late minute revision.
Secondly, syllabi of all optional subjects are equally vast. For instance, Political Science has 23 main units in Paper-I and another 23 main units in Paper-II, Sociology Paper-I has 14 main units and Paper II has 16 main units. The letter writer’s claim that Economics is a tough optional paper is a matter of opinion.
Therefore, to conduct a re-examination for only a particular optional subject would be highly unfair since candidates who opted for such subjects would get an unfair amount of extra preparation time. This would render grave injustice to the other candidates who would not have the same extra preparation time. Moreover, nowhere in the syllabus or otherwise has it been mentioned that choices of questions would be provided as a matter of right. Besides, aspirants for such an important and prestigious post are expected to be well-versed with the entire syllabus.
Yours etc.,
Names withheld on request
India’s foreign policy vis a vis its neighbours
Editor,
Every Government in New Delhi be it the UPA, NDA or any other political formation have tried to improve relations with Pakistan and every time tension has escalated. Media always goes into frenzy reporting whenever the heads of states of both countries visit each other but what follows has always been escalation of tension from across the border. I wonder if anyone has mentioned or expressed these arguments or opinions before, but I strongly believe that the hardliners in Pakistan whether they are in the political or military establishment or both, will never forgive India for dismembering Pakistan by helping in the formation of Bangladesh and even if India continues to offer the olive branch to Pakistan it will always be a futile exercise.
Based on the same logic Pakistan will try all possible means to help Kashmir achieve Independence so as to create a buffer state between them and India and if this does not happen then to “bleed” India by occasional direct confrontation or financing proxy wars through so called jihadis or home grown terrorists and keep the Indian Government on constant alert. And with certain political forces in Bangladesh more inclined towards Pakistan than India, in spite of India’s help in achieving Independence and through their ability to capture political power in Bangladesh, it adds to the tension in India. The resources which could have been used for development purposes are diverted to both the western and eastern borders to fight terror and aggression while not forgetting China’s aggressive posturing from time to time on the borders of Arunachal Pradesh.
It is against this background that the new government in Delhi should formulate its foreign policy vis-a-vis Pakistan, Bangladesh and China not forgetting the sentiments and aspirations of the border states of India.
Yours etc.,
Michael N. Syiem,
Via email
Coal mafia’s blackmail
Editor,
The indefinite economic blockade from 23rd September by the coal mafia’s pet MIPRL has evoked no reaction from the Govt. And there is nary a peep from our die-hard pressure groups who seem very keen to skirt this issue. Is this because the Govt and pressure groups are lending support to the economic blockade just like it did earlier for the bandh? I hope they understand the serious implications of the threat made by MIPRL because they too will be at the receiving end this time. For a State which produces nothing, this is a classic case of economic suicide, no more no less.
Yours etc.,
Kenneth Shangpliang
Shillong – 6