RBSU should share their vision

This letter contains my personal views on the current RBSU Vs. NKC Pvt. Ltd. debate. Bill Syiem in his letter “NGO Threats: Time to call their bluff” (ST Oct 15, 2014) had roundly criticized RBSU for their high-handedness and interference in operational matters of a private company. He blamed local NGOs (including RBSU) for using threats and violence to muscle in on Govt. contracts through the back door. The RBSU President E. Nongpluh has defended RBSU’s actions in the letter “Rejoinder from RBSU” (ST Oct 21, 2014). After going through these opposing viewpoints, I would like to add a few concerns of my own on the issue. First and foremost is the matter of issuing a warning to the private firm. Was that necessary, or even legal? What avenues did RBSU explore, if any, before shooting off this ultimatum? Was a process of continuous engagement followed, with a view to sorting out grievances amicably? Was the reason for termination of workers sought from the company? What was the stated reason for termination? Why did RBSU not take up the matter with the State Govt and ask them to handle it, as would have been appropriate? Why do NGOs always resort to warnings and diktats, like bandits or feudal lords in a bygone era? This habit of pushing our agenda with brawn instead of brain, with threats instead of amicable discussion, has killed our hopes of long-term prosperity by attracting badly-needed investments. NGOs have literally condemned us to a future of high unemployment and un-employability with ill-advised strong-arm tactics on every score. How will Nongpluh and his associates ensure employment to the ‘Jaidbynriew’ when development comes to a standstill? As things stand, development is inching along in the manner of a monkey up a greased pole. Will RBSU or its compatriots be able to generate jobs to keep people gainfully employed? Will they be able to up-skill workers to desired levels? So far, despite Mukul Sangma’s best efforts, no multinational has shown any interest in investing in a strife-torn place where every employer is under siege from NGOs and militants alike. I would therefore invite Nongpluh to explain in greater detail his own vision of tackling growing unemployment through threats and intimidation. Will detaching ourselves from reality and locking the ‘Jaidbynriew’ inside an iron cage solve the problem of employment? So how will you make that work to our advantage, Mr Nongpluh? Pray, share your vision (if you have one)

 Indian “nationalism” and “patriotism” is presently at its jingoistic best! While our spacecraft is roaming the Mars orbit putting the country among the “elite” club of nations, the “proud” Indians are also sternly asking the Pakistanis and Chinese to “behave” themselves or “get ready for the consequences”! Bangladesh should also not be spared as they are exporting terrorists to West Bengal! Though we are presently living in “best of times” as far as “nationalism” is concerned, our “patriotic” feelings should be confined within the narrow sphere of spewing venom towards the alien nations only! But if we come across one of our own countrymen with “peculiar” language/attire/physical features, we hold every “democratic” right to treat him/her as “alien” and taunt, abuse or torture him/her both physically as well as psychologically! So Arunachal Pradesh is definitely an “integral” part of India, but an Arunachalee or a North-Easterner is definitely a “Chinese” and so needs to be beaten up and thrown out — right from Gurgaon to Bangalore!

It is high time school text books, which form the foundation of the society, enlighten the students about historical and cultural aspects of the whole country including the North-East instead of focusing on certain regions only. Stress on moral education should be an urgent priority which will teach the younger generation to rise above petty barriers of language, caste, religion and country and accord supreme importance to humanity as a whole. And just like the civilized countries of the West; acts of discrimination, physical abuse and passing lewd comments on the basis of one’s linguistic, religious or any other divisive credential should not be tolerated and the offenders need to be awarded exemplary punishment.

Unless our own North-Eastern brothers and sisters are accorded adequate dignity, honour and protection in their very own country; India holds absolutely no moral right to accuse Australians o be “racist” whenever any stray attack against any Indian gets perpetrated Down Under. Before acting as the self-appointed “conscience” of the world, India should first clean up its own backyard.

In the last few days Aircel customers have been getting messages that I have  been renewed for certain services and deducted Rs 5 or Rs 10 for a day or a week. Now, I have never subscribed these services in the first place. Then how come the renewal? This is an unethical tactic of Aircel to make money unscrupulously. This letter is to warn numerous other victims, especially the villagers who are uneducated and illiterate. The messages also direct that to unsubscribe you have to go to their website. I may be able to log on to the website but what about the uneducated and illiterate? Aircel will earn millions from such victims. Aircel should not to resort to such unethical and unscrupulous practice for the sake of profit.