Editor,
I have just returned from my annual home visit to Rangblang, South West Khasi Hills. It was a pleasant surprise to see D.M, Pariat’s letter to the editor, “Rock and Roll to Jakrem” on December 29. Initially I thought it was about a rock show in the hot springs of Jakrem but in fact it was about his nightmarish journey to and from Jakrem due to the pathetic road conditions. Compliments to Pariat for his write up. Being a person from the area I vouch that the roads are the same all over West Khasi Hills and South West Khasi Hills. Let me name a few dilapidated roads that I have personally travelled on recently. The road from Mawplang to Plangdiloin via Mawkyrwat, Nongstoin to Mawkyrwat, Nongstoin to Maweit, Mawkywat to Nonghyllam and other roads have become worse than they were ten years ago. Some portions cannot even be called roads. One has to travel on these roads like Pariat to know the terrible condition they are in, in the two districts. It’s worse than travelling on horse cart. It’s a pity that the media does not bring the problems of the rural areas to the public eye. It would be a great service if the huge disparity between Shillong and rural Meghalaya is highlighted in and by the media.
As Pariat mentioned the people are not empowered to protest. They do not have the time and the means to do so. They feel helpless. On an off NGOs make some noise but people of the area say that when they are paid money they keep quite. Therefore, the public representatives from the area go scot free. They do big businesses for their own welfare, purchase the latest cars and build posh houses. The MLA of Mawkyrwat who is also the Deputy Chief Minister for the second term, is busy creating his own assets while the roads in the heart of the capital of the new district are unattended for years. Likewise the legislator from Nongstoin publicly discourages making of good roads because of funny reasons. Strangely, he has been undefeated since the creation of the state! West and South West Khasi Hills are very backward but the lion’s share of the blame lies with the uncaring representatives of the area.
Yours etc.,
Albert Thyrniang
Mendal, North Garo Hills
Colleges must get their act together
Editor,
There is no doubt that private medical and engineering colleges are thick on the ground. The question is: Are they all in line with the policy laid down by the UGC, or are they just out to make a quick profit? There is something not quite right here and students can’t afford to take any risks. Although many of these are good, in general they have failed to live up to the decisiveness that students expect of them. This is partly because they are inadequately resourced and teach students only what is necessary to pass the final exam papers. How can they make their courses interesting with scarcely any resource and a staff of eight or ten? There are hardly any practical classes or workshops in these private institutions. It is rare for students to have an opportunity to do research in the subject which interest them.
It’s shocking that some private medical colleges are so desperate to get as many students as possible including some who are rather slow off the mark. How can we produce top-class engineers or doctors when colleges tend to place importance on student numbers rather than the improvement in standards? Why shouldn’t we take a dim view of institutes which rely mainly on exam results for evidence of person’s academic ability? It is up to the education authorities or other people involved in education to keep tabs on such institutions and ensure students are not left high and dry. I don’t wish to make a suggestion and I have no right to, but shouldn’t the universities ask these colleges to make their courses more attractive and help students achieve the desired results?
Yours etc.,
Sugat Gewali,
Shillong-2