Editor,
This letter seeks to bring to light and seek clarification from the concerned authorities. Recently, a friend of mine had applied for the vacant UGC sanctioned post of Assistant Professor in one of the deficit colleges in Shillong. In spite of having the necessary qualifications as mandated by the UGC notification 2010, this particular candidate was called for the interview but not allowed to present himself at the interview and the explanation given was that he is over- aged.
My point wise argument pertaining to the above are:-
- Education is not a state subject and falls under the concurrent list.
- I also wonder at this new age limit restriction imposed by DHTE, if at all it exists. As I understand, when state laws come in conflict with central laws in the matter of subjects that fall in the concurrent list then the central laws prevail. In this aspect, I seek clarification whether the DHTE has sought and obtained any permission from UGC regarding this implementation of age limit for recruitment to UGC sanctioned posts.
- Further, the post advertised is not a state post but a UGC sanctioned post hence the rules of recruitment is as per UGC guidelines( as clearly stated in the advertisement) which I presume must also include the age factor since UGC Regulations of 2010 which are followed by all deficit colleges do not mention any age restriction. So how can the concerned authority apply state government regulations in respect of age limit?
- Further, if the candidate has forwarded an NOC and applied through proper channel why is it that his case is rejected and his service in the previous institution not counted as service but only as experience.
- Being technologically savvy I have downloaded the rules pertaining to government colleges where age limit is 27 yes plus relaxation to ST/SC. I wonder is this the rule applied for a UGC sanctioned post and if yes, may I bring to the notice of the concerned authorities that some candidates who appeared are above the age limit which is 33 years.
This letters is not intended to malign the image of the particular institution but to awaken my fellow teachers especially those serving in the particular institution on the importance of seeking clarification. Perhaps if they had raised the concern, an outsider would not have had to do it.
Yours etc.,
Amanda Basaiawmoit,
Via email
The Ugly Truth
Editor,
In the midst of our state literally being burnt in the fight against the so called “outsiders” one fears that lawlessness may once again be the order of the day as it used too. For a tribe as small as ours one can understand on what grounds such fights are happening, though the path taken to achieve victory is condemnable. As the saying goes, “Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat for it is momentary “.
The real question here is not whether or not we should allow outsiders to come to our land but the real question is, why are they coming over? The answer is simple-JOBs. Seriously! They come here for jobs? Strange isn’t it that in a state where more than half of us (youth) are unemployed that they come over and take up jobs here? Most of them are daily wage workers like masons, carpenters, shopkeepers, waiters etc. What’s the matter? What’s wrong with us? Don’t we have the skill to engage ourselves in all these activities? We do, perhaps some even more but the reason here is the ugly truth behind all of this! We all know the answer to it but are just too proud to admit it. Our commitment, our culture our respect towards work is horribly pathetic that though some may claim and still do that the outsiders come over here and take away our “pliang ja” (rice plate) the truth here is that we are the ones who simply hand it over to them.
So let us stop fearing, stop burning and stop killing. I promise you if we could do all of the work on our own and have the right mentality towards work that is locally available to all of us we will not have to chase the outsiders. They will simply leave on their own.
Yours etc.,
Carlden M Kharbangar
Shillong-8
Why Gorkhaland?
Editor,
A scholar from Punjab recently wrote on his Facebook wall — “While our brave Gorkha soldiers are shooting the dreaded terrorists in the hostile Indo-Park borders, in Darjeeling their relatives are being gunned down by the West Bengal Government. What a contrary fact and heartless act!” Logically speaking, is this the price for being patriotic, and serving the country at the cost of life? Does it come under the laws of the land that those who shed blood for the nation should also be treated apathetically and even hurt fatally? I think we have to recheck the Constitution and sit down for a serious introspection. I guess, it is never right to hit a person with a ladle who lovingly cooks and serves you the food.
Unlike her predecessors, the Bengal Chief Minister has now been steadily eyeing Darjeeling and its adjoining areas as her private fiefdom. It seems a bunch of good scholars are now urgently required to wise her up about its history. She probably does not know about the Nepal Kingdom which was prudent enough to have a patch-up agreement, under the Treaty of Sugauli 1815-16 with then the rapaciously imperialist ‘East India Company’. An insightful article by KK Muktan – ‘Darjeeling is clamouring for statehood’ (ST, 29 Jun, 2017) lays out all historical facts in details.
The areas of Darjeeling, Sikkim, Nainital, Kumaon, and Garhwal came under East India Company administration. Rationally speaking, if all this vast area of land, its mountains, its pristine hills, rivers, flora and fauna can be regarded as Indian then why not the human inhabitants in it? Why is there so much skepticism and callousness till date? It is totally unconstitutional. Well, if our leaders still dilly dally and desist from resolving the identity crises of the two-legged natives of this land then I would suggest them to meet and consult the bio-scientists and geoscientists, and if doubts still persist then rush for the psychiatrist.
When I shared this letter and historical facts with a friends from Delhi he sharply retorted – “it is total injustice to the Gorkha people by our leaders. Such apathy of a pluralist nation towards those brave soldiers who ‘came with land’ is unbecoming. Even UNO or world leaders will be shocked to know how Gorkhas are ill-treated in their own land.”
Incidentally, India’s leaders are ecstatic when Sunil Chhetri scores a goal and lovingly call him Ronaldo of India. Shiva Thapa was affectionately patted on his back by none other than PM Narendra Modi while being seen off for the Olympics. One feels, Gorkhas have had enough of lip service from Indian leaders. Now what is most important is a “true pat” on the back of the “whole Gorkhas’’ by addressing their identity crises. Well, Gorkhas came with the land, never like other “invaders or infiltrators” who have been posing serious threats to the nation. Gorkhas are the stout walls of security and integrity for the country. It’s time the Indian Government pays back their dues with gratitude. They can’t bite the bullet all the time under the brutally “heartless administration” of West Bengal.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong-2