Editor,
Apropos the article “The unscientific society”, by TFL Mawlong (ST. February 7, 2015), the exhortation of the writer is commendable. One of the main objectives of education is to promote scientific temper in the society. What we usually call ‘common sense’ is the level of general scientific knowledge in any community. The level of common sense correlates with the level of general scientific knowledge. The level of general scientific knowledge keeps on rising, and so would the level of common sense; but the level of common sense varies from era to era and from one community to another. There is a wide gap between the levels of common sense among human beings five hundred years ago and today; this is due to the rising level of general scientific knowledge. We cannot impart today’s progressive thought to any community whose level of common sense is equivalent to that of five or six hundred years ago. The real achievement of science is to be measured not merely on the level of knowledge achieved by the scientists, but also by the level of common sense in the society. It would be an achievement half accomplished if scientists had cracked the mystery of an electron, but the mass majority still prefer occultist interventions to rational solutions, in their day to day living. It would be an insult to science if an eye specialist believes that the success of his research would depend on offering donation of precious stones as eyes to an idol; or if a construction engineer believes that it requires a sacrifice of human heads to the goddess of a river to successfully build a bridge across it. So, let the scientists endeavour to land on Mars; but let the ordinary school system engage in building up attitude of knowing and treating things and phenomena in their sensible and rational manifestations so as to augment the level of common sense in the grass roots, because the general standard of thinking and behaviour of the people in any community is governed by the standard of its common sense.
Yours etc.,
Fabian Lyngdoh,
Via email
Petrol price
Editor,
The price of petrol and diesel has been cut again by the oil marketing companies. It is the lowest since September 2010 and diesel is the cheapest since March 2013. The question now arises -.who reaps the benefit of falling petrol and diesel prices. The answer is only those section of the society who are well to do, who own private vehicles benefit from the fall of oil price. A common man, depends on public transport to commute to work daily. It is unfair for him to pay the local taxi or government buses run by the transport department, the same amount when the price of petrol and diesel was dearer. Since the fall of oil prices last year, our government has done nothing to ease the problem of a common man, who daily depends on public transport. Why is the government turning a blind eye to this issue? Meghalaya is a Congress ruled state, and the Congress slogan as we all know is ‘Congress ke haat aam aadmi ke sath’. Where is the hand of this Government which claims to be with the common man? It is high time for the Government to look into this matter and take necessary action to ease the problem of the common man.
Yours etc.,
- Lyngdoh
Shillong- 8
Trees in Motphran
Editor,
Motphran is undergoing the much awaited modification that people have long been expecting. I appreciate the concerned authorities and I appeal to them to make this public space green. By “green” I simply
mean planting a few saplings. This would greatly contribute to the well-being of those who experience Motphran and to the sustainability of our city. Let us not let this be a missed opportunity to improve the way we do things.
Yours etc.,
B Kharmylliem,
Via emai