Editor,
On this Teachers’ Day, let us remember those millions of children and child labourers who do not know the meaning of Right to Education and will only watch children going to school with colourful dresses. Generally, we go to a place of worship to offer money/ sweets to the gods in order to get more material things and to ensure a ticket to heaven. Will God be happy with those things when we fail His children? May our Divine Teacher teach us that it is a folly to give children the cold shoulder and engage instead in meaningless costly religious rituals.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata
Diana, Princess of the masses
Editor,
Watching the respect shown to late princess Diana on the occasion of her 20th death anniversary demonstrates how much she is loved by the hoi polloi. I cannot understand why Prince Charles betrayed this beautiful princess and went for a hag. Will he one day be the King? Hope not as he is not worthy to sit on the throne.
Yours etc.
- Pyrtuh
Shillong-14
Evils of corruption
Editor,
This refers to your story “Corruption in NE needs to be tackled” (ST- September 3, 2017). Rampant corruption in the country of course has exacerbated the backwardness of the country. It is a fact that corruption, like other social evils such as bribery, nepotism and favouritism, has found acceptance in the social psyche and behaviour. Though all politicians are not corrupt, even a very few can deteriorate this entire democracy and eat away public money. So there has to be some independent law enforcing agency that can punish any top guns in the government machinery if the allegations against them are proved. Corruption in every walk of our lives has been destroying every democratic institution that our forefathers have cherished. A corruption free system is not a favour granted to us by politicians. It is our constitutional right. We must remember that the fruits of progress can reach the masses only if we control corruption. Corruption is spreading like an uncontrolled virus and eating into our very existence. If every citizen comes forward to punish the corrupt, the cancer of corruption can be stemmed.
Yours etc.,
Vinod C. Dixit
Ahmedabad – 15
GSU elections
Editor,
The Students’ Union of Williamnagar Government College recently held it’s election. I congratulate all the elected members but I specially congratulate and thank the electors who have came out in large numbers to give strength to the elected Students’ Union and the Election Commission of the College which has kept the spirit of democracy alive by holding elections on time. This is how the democracy is sustained in every institution so that those leaders who are elected do not get used to power and become anarchic. The drama exhibited by the pressure groups during the recent meeting on the ILP issue at Shillong with cabinet ministers is a blot on the reputation of all NGOs in general and Garo NGOs in particular. The Tengsak-led-GSU yelling at the Balgra-led-GSU to get out of the meeting was an authoritarian move and a foolish act.
In democracy, a leader of an NGO/pressure group derives power from their supporters or electors. but in the case of the Tengsak-led-GSU, no one has elected him as leader nor has he been given any powers. In fact election to GSU is a closed chapter. So for Tengsak to proclaim himself as GSU leader is illusionary. Let’s delve into the issue to understand how Tengsak-led-GSU is non-existent. After a long gap, in 2015, when the GSU (CEC) election was about to happen it was called off at the last minute by the Election commission citing mass manipulation by Tengsak, the then president GSU (CEC). Subsequently, GSU CEC was dissolved and interim body was formed to continue its function. Thus, there cannot be two GSUs but only an interim body. Hence for Tengsak’s claim of ebing GSU leader does not hold water. Now, he is being used by some tainted babus to douse any genuine societal issue. This is dangerous to the health of democracy, and we are disturbed and unhappy with these goings-on.
The Tengsak-led-GSU cannot deny the truth. If he is a true leader, he would not have seized the GSU illegally and immorally. If Tengsak is a leader he would have called for elections. People of his age are now in the higher echelons of the Government. By now he should have contested the MLA or MDC election. This proves that he is not a leader and does not have any leadership qualities. After ILP meeting, during tea, one cabinet minister remarked, “Is such an elderly person allowed in GSU?”
To prevent further embarrassment to the Garo community the GSU’s (CEC) election must be held in a free and fair manner at the earliest. An independent election commission should be formed which would include women. The Presidential election system of India (with modification) should be adopted with an electoral college to include GSU leaders of all the districts. Otherwise every leader has a following only in a particular area. The President (all GSU leaders) should be qualified to be re-elected only for 2 complete terms or within a certain age criterion. This is important because when they have families their interests are diverted only towards money making and business. These proposals are not exhaustive but they can address the sorry state of affairs of Garo organisations.
Yours etc.,
Dogrik Marak,
Via email