Editor,
One thing about temptation is that it feels so ‘Good’ when you yield to it. The temptation to tell our ‘pressure group turned politician’ friends to go hang themselves has always been there. We just didn’t have the nerve to say it. So this time it’s so satisfying to be able to say “serves you bloody right”! I’m talking about the out of sync office picketing call given by the HSPDP. What a volte face for the HSPDP Vice President to claim with a whimper that the “ the people are a confused lot” and so “we have decided to suspend our agitation”. Humility is so refreshing instead of the loud, ignorant arrogance of the past. But then we agree with his assessment. The people are totally confused as to how ‘Clean Politics’ has suddenly mutated into Iewduh – vote-bank politics of opportunism. The level that one is prepared to stoop for a few miserable votes! So distressing!
As a member of the public let me also try to set the record straight as far as our confidence and faith in the Meghalaya political system is concerned. Forty years of political hypocrisy has made us wiser. We no longer trust the political parties nor the politicians. In fact we despise them but we have no other choice! We suspect all their activities and the motives behind such acts. We have come to realise that they act not in the interest of the people at large but for their own vested interests. We the public know our rights and are no longer prepared to be taken for a ride! It feels so good, so invigorating, so liberating, so inspiring to be able to tell these self righteous feudal oafs, “You’re wrong man; you have always been wrong and will continue to be wrong!”
Then there was this letter to the editor “Sixth Schedule not above Constitution” by one Batkupar L Mawlong, (ST May 14, 2015). It’s another expression of disgust and revulsion by the common man at the ideology of hate being spread by young activists turned politicians of Meghalaya. These young leaders and many more like them in the KSU, FKJGP, HYC, HNYF and others seem to believe that hate, violence and petrol bombs are the keys to Meghalaya’s survival. All hogwash and absolute rot! For us Khasis living outside Meghalaya, nothing can be further from the truth. We look at what is happening to our State and we weep tears of shame and frustration. The tragedy is that our political leadership also share the belief that “if hate speeches is the way to get votes then it must be the best way”. At best this is spineless leadership. Bah Mawlong speaks of ‘ka jaitbynriew ba tip briew tip blei’. Sir, its gone; it has vanished; its extinct; It is nowhere to be seen. In its place is a young generation ready to clean politics through hatred and violence. We now have ‘ka jaitbynriew ba tim briew tim blei’!
Yours etc.,
Shemkupar Rymbai,
Gurgoan
Excellent article!
Editor
I write to express my gratitude for Bijoya Sawian’s excellent article, “Education and the Youth” (ST, May 16, 2015). As an educator I am frustrated beyond words at what the university has become — a techno-business factory that churns out robots-with-degrees, in a landscape drenched with therapy and therapists, who indicate, by their very presence, the dearth of contemplation. Facts, figures, data, data analysis, and more generally, the scientific spirit cannot alter or inspire man’s character. Today in the US we have students who have too many choices in their course selection and drop courses that are not immediately useful — i.e. courses and degrees that do not lead to money and jobs.
But the purpose of education (not training) is, as Plato said, to orient the mind towards the Good or the Divine … not to hone a clever tongue, nor to merely inform. Where self-knowledge is concerned we see students in the US flock into psychology classes … not philosophy. The plight of western education is a profound indication of the crisis of the times, as we watch contemplation dilute itself in knowledge, and knowledge in information. Data can be stolen … not knowledge!
Yours etc.,
Deepa Majumdar
Via email
Two contrasting attitudes in SBI
Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I wish to share my experience with two bank employees of State Bank of India, Laitumkhrah Branch. Let me start with the more unpleasant one first. I approached the bank staff for application of a new ATM card as my card is old and decrepit. I submitted a written application for the purpose for which certain formalities had to be fulfilled. The lady gave me a form to fill in while she checked on the computer and informed me that I had been issued two ATM cards against my account. I told her I have just one and was not even aware of the other card. She insisted and instructed me to block one of the cards by calling a help line number. I agreed and requested her to give the details of the card so that I would know which one to block as I did not have the card with me. Instead she asked for my mobile phone, fiddled with it and gave it back to me saying that she has blocked the card. I was shocked and worried and asked her if she blocked the right one. With confidence she answered in the affirmative. I thought that the bank would have information on which card was active and which was dormant. All the while the lady was hasty and impolite. I left the bank only to find out after a few days that the ATM card in my possession has been blocked. I was annoyed and furious and went back to the bank but the lady was on leave. I was informed that the card could no longer be unblocked and that I would have to wait for my new card! I was then instructed to meet the Assistant General Manager, Mr Praveen Kr. Brahma. As I tentatively entered the cabin I was apprehensive lest the AGM would also be as hasty and peremptory as his staff. But I was proved wrong. He was a gentleman in the true sense of the word. He was polite and courteous and listened patiently and attentively while I narrated my story. He verified whether I had 2 ATM cards and whether my card was blocked. He advised me to address a letter to him requesting to do the needful. I was impressed that the AGM got up from his chair, walked me to the door and apologised for the inconvenience caused by his hasty employee. He got to work immediately. He had told me that the bank would give me a call once the card was unblocked. To my surprise, I received a call in the afternoon from the AGM himself informing me about the unblocking of the card. As I was unaware of the basic span of 24 hours needed for the card to be blocked, I called him back. The AGM took the trouble to call me several times with information about the procedure. He even assured to re-send the request to unblock my card once again. After 24 hours, I checked and found that my card was unblocked and functional. I called to inform him of that and to thank him for his kindness and humility. I cannot help but share this experience and the difference in behaviour and attitudes. While the senior-most officer of the bank can give personalised service, how can another functionary be so haughty, hasty and rude? We are customers and the bank and its employees should be courteous towards us because if the bank is there for us then the bank is also here because of us. I hope we get more efficient, polite, courteous, cheerful and down to earth officers in all branches of the SBI bank.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email