Editor,
Few years ago a learned Indian said that an Industrial Training Institute (ITIs) pass out who has a keen interest in science is better skilled and employable than most of our ‘ill-motivated’ engineers. So it occurred to me that ‘motivation’ and ‘interest’ are the primary keys to successfully skilling young Indians. I agree that the success of any vocational training programme hinges on the interest and aptitude of students (‘Beating the Rhetoric’, by Ibu Sanjeeb Garg, TST, Jan-10, 2-17). I also believe that in general the motivational level of a student today is the prologue of his productive level in future, in his line of work. And speaking of the students’ interest and motivation, it obviously depends much on our schools. But with our faulty education system, instead of seeing hope, I am seeing bundles of uncertainty.
It is difficult to see how a student’s interest could possibly be nurtured with a colorless and lifeless education. The way education is imparted in our society is incomprehensible, bookish and dangerously misdirected. Science in particular is being naively and stodgily presented like it is a hotch-potch of arbitrary rules. What are teachers doing in classrooms and campuses, to instil the spirit of scientific enquiry in students? It is unfortunate that our classrooms get redefined as a ‘note dictation exercise and rote learning’. And I find it particularly embarrassing that the ‘culture of dictating notes’ is flourishing even in college physics classrooms. We may have the PhD holder faculties in our school and colleges, but let’s face it the ‘science teaching’ here is a ‘thing of shame’.
I cannot resist stating that there is just too much focus on gaining marks and too much rote learning in our education today. That is why there is a visible mismatch between the skills of students and the one they need in their jobs later. Thus, small wonder that we have teachers with neither a mastery of their subject nor a teaching skill; university scholars whose output in terms of research works and publications is the lowest; officers and managers with awful attitude and no emotional intelligence; entrepreneurs with blurred vision; majority of engineers with the skills, attitude and aptitudes of taxi drivers; medical doctors with neither the will nor the skill to investigate; and so on. So in my opinion a mission to skill young Indians should start with reforming our education. Right now our system of education and our school and college teachers together describe an unmistakable trajectory, a trajectory that makes students navigate through the blur, towards an uncertain future.
Yours etc.,
T Fightingstar L Mawlong,
Shillong-793014
MTC in the red!
Editor,
The Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) is in the news these days because of its financial crunch, which has been lingering on for quite a number of years. The Government, should have awakened at the very time when the MTC started functioning with deficit, the cause of which is only known to the authorities. The same was the case with the Assam Transport Corporation which was in a dire straits due to financial problems. But once the Corporation changed hands with a new look and technology it has now become financially sound and reaping huge profits. It is high time the Government of Meghalaya hands over the administration of MTC to able hands who will be instrumental in bringing about a thorough overhauling and turn it into a profit making undertaking.
Yours etc.,
(S.L Singhania) Shillong- 1
Unjust comment by a BJP leader
Editor,
Apropos the letter by Gagann Jain (ST Jan 13, 2014)accusing me and Philip Marwein of criticizing the state BJP, I sincerely apologise if any part of the writing has deeply hurt the sentiments of some people in the Party. However, I fail to understand on what grounds the writings can be considered a criticism when the writer is just trying to evaluate and introspect on the style and functions of the party leaders in the state. The fact remain as it is, considering the political situation prevailing in the country and the state in particular. Phillip Marwein has rightly pointed out that all eyes are on the BJP now even within the state too. BJP should have taken advantage of the prevailing situation to equip itself as the appropriate alternative in the state. But such things are not in the mind of the party functionaries. If Gagann Jain feels that the state BJP is seriously making an effort to offer itself as better alternative for the people of Meghalaya, then the state unit or central leadership should without any prejudice project a chief ministerial candidate of the party as it has done in other states of the country. As 2018 general election to LA is approaching, is there anyone from the party fit to be the CM candidate? If there is one such personality, I believe the outcome in 2018 election will be different. Mr Jain should read between the lines and see the heart and motive of the writers rather than categorizing them with their dissent. This writer is not a member of any political party or NGO but a simple individual who expresses his view from the inputs echoed around him most of the time considering that we live in a country where freedom of expression is a fundamental right of every citizen. A false interpretation of the writing and wrongful connection of intention and concepts may also be subject to contempt.
In the article “Is BJP gambling in Meghalaya?” (ST 9th Jan 2017) written on the inquisitive nature, the writer has posed a general query based on the facts as stated by the state BJP president and the absence of an appropriate policy framework for the state which many are expecting. The writer in his individual capacity can refer and make a statement to clearly define the intended subject or point for easy understanding about the matter. The writer has also clearly mentioned in the last paragraph that Christian voters here are not communal and not bothered by party ideology and propaganda but the credibility of a person is paramount. Is it not a fact that Christians are in the majority in Meghalaya? And this ultimately implies that Christian voters are also in the majority. And the fact is that Christians voters too are driven by development prospects not by sectarian agenda. Therefore, with due respect to the Supreme Court Judgment, Mr Jain should understand that it directly connects to the political party and a person belonging to or representing a political party especially those who seek votes on the basis of religion or caste etc. The Supreme Court on Monday (2nd Jan 2017), in a majority judgment, held that an appeal for votes during elections on the basis of religion, caste, race, community or language, even that of the electorate, will amount to a ‘corrupt practice’ and call for disqualification of the candidate. Therefore, as party leader Mr Jain should refrain from indulging in maligning individual writers. By willfully dragging judicial references against any individual to benefit oneself amounts to constitutional contempt and trying to suppress the fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution. And by trying to misinterpret the judgment in order to gain attention and recognition is another aspect of the contempt.
With regard to the performance of the state BJP, only time will tell. It all depends on the class of leadership and their credibility.
Yours etc.,
Aristotle Lyngdoh
Via email.