Editor,
I am a student of Shillong Public School, Shillong and I am writing my ICSE exams this year. I have noticed that there is a lot of cheating going on and the supervisors don’t even notice. Some of the boys who work hard feel discouraged seeing others get marks so easily. I request the concerned authorities to take action.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
Backdoor entrants as Assembly employees
Editor,
I find it absurd and also illegal on the part of the Meghalaya Assembly to regularize a huge mass of 435 employees when their method of entry is questionable. As far as my knowledge goes most of these employees are backdoor appointees of the Speakers as mentioned in your paper (ST April 7, 2017). Instead a question should be raised as to why open interviews were not called to fill up so many posts so that anyone who is eligible can apply. The Right to Equality has been trampled by simply using the word ‘TEMPORARY.’ After ‘REGULARIZATION’ the employees become permanent staff. The only solution to this discrimination for giving employment only to those having access to people in power is to approach the High Court and File a PIL (public Interest Litigation) so that their appointment/ regularization can be stopped and quashed permanently. Where are those NGOs who claim to look after the welfare of the society…Please WAKE UP now.
Yours etc.,
M Synrem,
Via email
Is disability a curse?
Editor,
The disabled constitute about 15% of the world and 2.1% of Indian population. According to the 2011 census a very small section of humans are affected with this curse. The opinion of the world community on disability is divided into four sections. One section believes that disability is a punishment for sins committed by a person in his previous birth. A second section believes that these crippled persons are the examples set by the Almighty so that those with no disability should thank God for their healthy and complete body and whosoever supports and attempts to reverse the cause of disability, will be rewarded by God and attain heaven in the next world. The third section of society believes that disability is a curse to the extent that such foetus with disability should be aborted. The fourth section believes that every disabled has all the rights to live and enjoy this beautiful world of God and it is everyone’s prime duty to help them to live their lives comfortably.
Hence, it is the third section of society that needs to understand that disability is not inability. It is a condition attached to particular beings. Rather, it is the inability in the mind of the human race in general who either avoid understanding this condition because without imperfection, neither you nor I would exist. Disability is part of diversity. The only disability in life is a bad attitude. It is noticed that even people who claim everything is predetermined and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road.
Science and religion cannot be set aside while we link curse with disability. There is a fundamental difference between religion which is based on authority, and science, which is based on observation and reason. Science will win, because it works. The eastern and western religion is symbolic in understanding disability. Let us take one example – As Jesus passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the work of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:1-3)Nor is disability is curse, as some communities still see it.
Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16_18). Affliction or disabilities are not hindrances to God’s grace in our lives – quite the opposite. On the other hand, what merits mention are the list of successes of science in healing various disabilities. God has empowered human race to scale any hurdles whether it is disability or the association of curse with disability. Once the disability is scaled the curse fades.
Ability is a blessing. In contrast, disability should be considered neither a curse, a sign of God’s wrath nor His retribution for sin. When children are born with disabilities it does not imply that they are inherently sinners or their parents are wrongdoers. In other words, disability should not be associated as curse, disability should be construed instead as part of a divine plane, existing so that “the works of God might be displayed” (John 9:3)
Yours etc.
Bellbora Wankhar,
General Secretary
MEPAD, Shillong