Editor,
This refers to the article “Life, death & suicide in the Khasi thought” by Fabian Lyngdoh (ST- Sept 20, 2017). Here, I would like to point out that suicide is not an economic problem or a generational tic. It’s a problem with a broad base and terrible momentum, a result of seismic changes in the way we live and a corresponding shift in the way we die. It is noted that people die by suicide for a number of reasons, however, the majority of the people who take their lives suffer with an underlying mental illness and substance abuse problem at the time of their death. Possibly, when one commits suicide then it is that single moment when one does not care for anyone, neither parents, nor family or friends, but just want to culminate his or her life for one particular reason.
Apart from depression, people also commit suicide out of bitterness, insecurity, rejection, revenge and impulsive behavior. Youths are more likely to commit suicide as development is forcing youths to the condition of hopelessness. This isn’t always the case though, as millions of people live with depression and never attempt or die by suicide, but with awareness, education, and treatment, people can be helped so that suicide does not become an option. One must keep in mind that whatsoever may be the reason in life, suicide is not a solution to any problem. One must be strong enough to face the realities of life. One must accept both good and bad with open arms and do not let anything disturb oneself.
Yours etc.,
Vinod C. Dixit
Ahmedabad-15
Plight of college teachers!
Editor,
We would like to bring to public notice that majority of the college teachers of private institutions of the State are struggling to survive. Our salary is meager with some of us earning barely four or five thousand rupees monthly. Our work load is heavy. Even though we are not government officials, we fulfill our duties and responsibilities for the youths of the state and the nation. We are part of state and nation brick builders.
Five years ago before election, the Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma created four new districts. In that inaugural speech he had promised to uplift the districts and the state of education. He had also given an assurance to provincialise one college from each district. Those promises gave us hope and made us feel alive again and empowered us to make more sacrifices. Sadly, now the next election is at hand but the Chief Minister’s promises remain unfulfilled. We request the CM to kindly help us college teachers to survive and also to have mercy of the poor students who need access to good education under capable teachers.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
On compassionate appointment!
Editor,
Apropos Desmond Lyngdoh’s letter which appeared in your daily (ST 6 Sep, 2017), I wish to state that the writer ought not to exclusively confine his disillusionment against govt. employees only, especially the low-grade functionaries as being ‘excessive drinkers. As a retributive justice, Mr Lyngdoh has jumped to conclusions that, “Govt servants in the state therefore do not deserve any special consideration in the form of compassionate appointments”.
In this context, I would like to refresh his memory by going back to the 1990s and early 2000s when Shillong and its adjoining areas were at the height of insurgency. In one of the many tragic incidents which I’m in the know of was that of a chowkidar of the office of the Directorate of Mineral Resources (DMR) at Risa Colony, Shillong, were he had selflessly sacrificed his life to successfully avert the theft of the monthly salaries of this Directorate’s staff.
Thereafter, a family member of that deceased chowkidar must have been appointed on compassionate ground. Incidentally, I have seen a good number of govt employees who are teetotalers and driver who, for no fault of theirs, died in accidents while on official duties. And to top it all, many of our Hynniewtrep youths who served as defense personnel, security forces etc., died fighting the nation’s foes or the insurgent groups like in Garo Hills and elsewhere.
These brave hearts had, in their prime of youths, become timeless martyrs for a noble cause they had professed and one of the family members of such personnel could have been rehabilitated in employment on compassionate grounds for the supreme sacrifice of a dear one. Hence, those appointees on such humanitarian grounds in different establishments must have been deeply hurt at Lyngdoh’s sweeping generalization on compassionate appointment.
I would like, therefore, the latter to apologize to such unfortunate star-crossed appointees who have lost their loved ones for having made supreme sacrifices. Further, Lyngdoh’s assertion that in Meghalaya almost 50% people fall under BPL category, it is also far grimmer a fact that in India 10,000 children die in every 7 days owing to acute malnutrition and people’s absolute penury.
So much for Modi’s achhe din! Be that as it may, I’m much obliged to Desmond Lyngdoh and others who have highlighted the undeniable fact of govt. employees’ habitual lack of punctuality which has now assumed sickening proportions. Courtesy these writers and critics, the State Govt has perhaps taken cognizance of the matter and passed a circular vide No. PER (ARC) 27/92/Pt. I/284 dtd. 5.9.2017 which strongly warns late- comers to office with strict follow up punitive actions. I hope that henceforth this latest Govt. order would be observed by all concerned in letter and spirit for the betterment of our own state.
Yours etc.,
Jerome K. Diengdoh,
Shillong-2