Editor,
The recent downpour in the state showed the havoc that nature can wreak on commuters especially those who travel by public transport. The recent traffic accident at Mawblei brought to light the inexperienced driving skills of the driver of the Red bus when he ploughed through the cars parked by the side of the road and careened headlong into oncoming traffic injuring many. The state of the smashed up cars was a terrifying sight. Being a daily commuter on this route, I was just thanking my stars that I was half an hour late that day to work. For many of us who use public transport, we literally put our lives in the drivers’ hands every time we step into a bus or a cab. The report which came out in the media revealed the inexperience of the young driver who didn’t have the skills to check his bus properly before plying it out for the day’s business. I often take the bus when I commute and when boarding do so with a prayer as these buses always speed through trying to overtake other buses. The driving is so erratic with a lot of sudden braking and jerking that one would literally fall off their seats if not holding onto some support. I understand that they have to make a certain number of trips but isn’t safety their first priority when ferrying commuters? I wonder if their licences have been obtained through proper checking and whether proper training and workshops are given before giving them the responsibility to drive these big public vehicles…
Private buses also ply in the city but I am sure that they have their owners to account to. However most red buses on the other hand look all banged up and dented. Is it that the drivers are not accountable to anyone? The mishap that occurred at Mawblei thankfully did not result in any casualty, maybe it’s because God was kind to the young driver that day but what if it had resulted in fatalities? We would all have to pray to our Gods before we embark on journeys in these red buses. Is anyone from the DTO paying attention?
Yours etc.,
Angela Lyngdoh
Shillong-14
Of MPSC and DSC
Editor,
The news report in anomalies in appointment to different vacancies in government employment in West Khasi Hills with quotes from several young people who have become victims of the system is an eye opener. This story was followed by another one which says that Government is not honouring the bond signed with the Agricultural graduates and that many are not finding employment even though there are several vacancies in the Agriculture and Horticulture Department. In Meghalaya the sad story is that merit has no value. If you don’t know a minister or high ranking officer or a members of th4e MPSC or DSC then you are not likely to get a job no matter how well you have appeared in the written exam. Many of us who have now joined the private sector have seen injustice from close quarters. Many who appear for exams conducted by the MPSC or DCSs scare poorly in the written tests but fail in their viva voce test. How can someone who fares badly in the written exam which is very comprehensive suddenly do well in the personal interview?
If the Government wants to cleanse up the system it should not delay the announcement of results of the written test and the personal interview should, as suggested by some be recorded so that there is scope for checking how each candidate fares. The propensity to appoint people who are not fit for their posts has resulted in poor governance and corruption as well. No wonder those who are appointed are the ones who come late to office and cannot be held accountable. The Education scam in Meghalaya is a classic case of people being appointed teachers of primary schools when they have not qualified for the post. This is the reason why primary education is in a shambles. Will the Government clean up its act and stop nepotism in appointments? Will it clean up the MPSC and DSC and appoint people of character and experts only. Political appointees should not be allowed to destroy the backbone of the selection Commission/Committee.
Yours etc.,
RS Kharpran,
Via email
Mobile phone while driving!
Editor,
In Meghalaya rules are made to be broken. Drivers continue to use mobile phones while driving and slow down traffic. But more than that, speaking on mobile phones while driving could result in serious accidents. How do we know that the driver of the red bus at Mawblei was not speaking on his mobile phone, as a result of which an accident happened? Why are the police so lax when it comes to implementing rules? Even people on two wheelers speak on mobile phones while driving. I think it is high time that police takes cognisance of complaints from lay people against those who speak on mobile phones while driving. Police might not see every violator but we as fellow travellers can see who violates the law.
Yours etc.,
Nandini Choudhury,
Via email