Editor,
The State Assembly elections are close at hand and all major regional as well as national political parties are busy. None of the regional or national political parties have spelt out their vision for the State and their agenda. Above all, is their silence on how to tackle critical issues of concern ranging from to social to economical issues. A brief idea of their manifesto will tell us that there is nothing concrete in them. Their manifesto is more or less a copy, cut and paste job. The UDP-HSPDP alliance looks more like an ‘ arranged marriage ‘ which has led to a number of their party supporters switching over thanks to their contradictory stand. The NPP which is banking on new entrants from the Congress is more like a copycat of the Congress while the PDF is centered more on drawing new crowds and new friends turned enemies from other parties. What we need is more of a pragmatic action plan that is realistic and achievable within a time frame but not which is ill-conceived and half baked.
Yours etc…
Dominic S. Wankhar
Shillong -3
Let’s vote wisely!
Editor,
As the state is prepares to usher in a new government, aspiring candidates are equally geared to arm themselves for the upcoming elections which is no less than a wrestling match. Every day, newspapers are flooded with news of mudslinging between candidates. At the same time candidates are also making their presence felt everywhere. Well, we all know don’t we, that these are strategies to win votes? However, the fact of the matter remains is that we the people cannot afford to be bought like commodities. As responsible citizens we are to use all our wisdom and wise judgement as we make our choices. We must make the best use of our intelligence and wrestle with our thoughts and weigh the pros and cons thoroughly before we cast our vote; after all our one single decision will define our fate and destiny for five long years. The beauty of our country is democracy; our freedom to choose representatives and exercise our rights. The purpose of elections is to choose representatives that will not belie our hopes but candidates who will work for the good of their people and constituencies rather than the self. The choice is entirely ours and our fate lies entirely on us the electorate. While the ball is in our court at the moment let us play the match to our advantage.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email
Sorry plight of Deficit School Teachers!
Editor,
I joined R.B. Anupchand Hindi Secondary School as an assistant teacher in 1975 and retired as the headmaster of the school on 31st August 2014. Throughout my career (of about 39 years), I experienced the miseries of deficit school teachers in the state which, I am afraid will continue in the future as well. Forget the past, now, the state government has ruled out the extension of the Fifth Pay Commission recommendations to deficit school and college teachers as they are run by managing committees or private bodies.
I dare ask the ministers a few questions. Will they answer? (1)Are deficit school teachers less qualified or less competent than those teaching in government schools? (2) How many students from government schools are placed in the top ten or top twenty in the SSLC examinations held by M.B.O.S.E? Will you compare? (3) Did you not sell Teachers Day Flags on the streets when you were in schools? That way did you not ‘beg’ for your poor teachers? Now that you came to power you forgot your own teachers! I ponder if you still have the same love or respect for your own teachers. You pay respect to teachers only on 5th September every year, that too, only for a few hours and forget everything as soon as you leave the auditorium. Are deficit school teachers hungry for this kind of respect? (4) How many of you were educated in government schools? (5) Why do you send your children to deficit or private schools when there are government schools in the state? (6) Why are you so reluctant to extend the benefits of pension to deficit school teachers? (6) After teaching for about 40(forty) years,you give a deficit school teacher only 3.5 lakh as gratuity(which is the maximum amount) .On the other hand, an M.L.A serves the state only for 5(five) years (or less when it comes to by-polls) and gets all the benefits including pension throughout his/her life. After his/her death, the spouse enjoys the pension (7) Can you walk in the shoes of a deficit school teacher? (8) How can you forget that today if you enjoy some power or position it is (mostly) because of a deficit school teacher?
I have retired and am not entitled to get any pension .But what about thousands of my brethren who are teaching at present? Will they not experience the same sorry plight?
I must say one thing here, deficit school teachers in Meghalaya are highly disciplined. They raise their voices but hardly go on strikes and if they ever, do so, it is only for two or three days. They do not press hard their demands and after a lollipop (assurance) from the government side, go back to classes as they do not want children to suffer for no fault of their own while in a few states, strikes continue for months till their demands are fulfilled? When will you stop taking undue advantage of your disciplined and loyal deficit school teachers?
Our late president , Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam had said” TEACHERS ARE THE BEST CREATION OF GOD.” Does it stand true in Meghalaya?
Yours etc.,
Zahiruddin
Headmaster(Retd.)
R.B.Anupchand Hindi Secondary School
Shillong – 1
Revelers create nuisance!
Editor, I am a resident of Lummawrie, Laitumkhrah. Through your paper I wish to bring to the notice of the public and law enforcement agencies that cars and taxis are parked in lanes and bye-lanes especially after dark. The occupants of the cars consume alcohol and get boisterous when told that they are violating the locality laws. Then invariably the empty booze bottles are left in the drains of the lane leading to my place. Can something be done to solve this menace?
Yours etc.,
Christina Tina, Via ema