Editor,
Following my earlier letter captioned, “Our Future in the Hands of NEHU”(ST June 7, 2018) I am compelled to highlight another act of colossal insensitivity of NEHU towards its primary stakeholders- its students. In the previous letter I mentioned that I am a 6th Semester student and also lamented that NEHU by deciding to conclude the 6th and Final Semester Undergraduate exams in the last week of May 2018, (the results of which are expected to be declared in 4-5 months as happened with the previous 5(five) semesters),would be depriving its students the opportunity to pursue their post-graduate studies in the universities outside the state as these universities start to undertake counselling and admission exercises from the last week of June till the middle of July at the latest.
Some weeks ago I went to enquire about the admission procedure for the B.Ed Programme of some colleges affiliated to NEHU. To my utter shock, I was informed that the last date of submission of application is June 9, 2018 in one college and June 15, 2018 in another. What further shocked me is that these colleges had one common condition which stipulates that only those who can produce the mark-sheets of all semester exams “INCLUDING THE MARKSHEET OF THE 6th SEMESTER EXAMS” would be provided with application forms, Pray, how do I provide the mark-sheet of my 6th Semester exam when the results will be declared in September or October? Is this not callousness of the highest degree?
After this experience, I have no doubt in my mind that NEHU exists for itself only, though undoubtedly there must be a few sincere persons working in the University who unfortunately have not been able to make any visible impact in its functioning.
Having stated the above, I also feel despondent when I realise that the silence of my elders – especially our fathers who lose no opportunity to boast and brag in their private spaces – is also partly responsible for the present state of affairs in NEHU for they have failed to say “NO MORE” and rise to the occasion by acting to protect and promote the legitimate interests of their sons and daughters.
Lastly, I think that it is futile to expect anything from those organizations which profess to represent our interests but whose focus is directed on other matters not even remotely connected to the students’ welfare.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
When youth are misguided!
Editor,
The recent unfortunate incident has been disastrous for both peace-loving communities. My empathy is with those families in Umsohsun, Mawkhar, Jaiaw and adjoining areas of Mothphran. The Khasi youth of Shillong never endorse violence; they have been living a cheerful life despite the limited sources for earning their livelihood. All they long for is a life of equal opportunities. The current scenario of Shillong has been favourable to youth from the business class and a Khasi by nature relates to people beyond financial transaction. The word “business-class” doesn’t exist in the Dictionary of Khasis.
In a situation of acute unemployment our youth can be easily misguided by lobby- makers. I just can’t forget the year 2000 of Shillong, when insurgency was at its peak. Teenagers were being brain-washed to join the outfits in the name of patriotism. Most of these teenagers are from families where a single parent is the sole bread winner. In case of single mothers, it is indeed difficult to spend time with her children when she is exhausted from her day’s work, given the nature of unorganised employment that dominates Shillong. By the time she reaches home, she would find her children asleep. If the children are lucky to have an elder sister or brother, they would, at least, not go to bed on an empty stomach.
The actual Khasi youth are forced to fend for themselves at a very young age especially when they are raised by single parents. It is not surprising to see Khasi youth being more mature and exemplary in terms of leadership and natural management skills despite the limitations they face. The future of our misguided youth is challenging but interesting if they can keep on learning from mistakes. They just need to understand that they have an upper hand than most our educated youth because whatever the latter read or learn is secondary information. However, when our misguided youth tread their own unknown path, they need to know that they have the primary knowledge and experience.
Khublei & Jai Hind!
Yours etc.,
Andrew Chyne,
Via email
What is the future we want
Editor,
What sort of future are we heading into? It is heartbreaking to hear of nerve wracking incidents that are happening around us. Small incidents escalate into communal violence, innocent young boys are beaten to death in neighbouring Assam and people living in the same city are fighting one another. Why don’t we realize that we have much more to think about than small incidents disrupting the peace and social order of a state. People provoking people to hate different communities and races. Situations like these leave a negative impact on a state’s economy. Prices of commodities shoot up thereby creating problems for the people. Small, avoidable problems are dealt with utter immaturity and create havoc around the place for a long time.
The world needs our time and attention for things that are much more important. Global warming for instance, is on the rise increasing the overall temperature of the earth’s atmosphere. We as global citizens should be more concerned about preserving nature. Countries should combine to come up with ideas to reduce carbon footprints leading to global warming. On the other hand, there are countries going through a civil war and thousands of people are either killed or dislocated from their homes. There is massive human destruction going on. There are countries like Yemen affected with worst famine and still several war affected countries requiring aid and volunteers. Everyday there is news of conflict between two countries, communities or people belonging to different races. I believe these are the actual issues we need to deal with at this moment.
There are people who politicize issues for their own benefit. People whom we look up to, should talk more often about the actual problem that the world is facing and come up with solutions on how to deal with them. The world needs kindness and compassion as we have had enough of war and conflicts and I would like to conclude with a popular quote,
“Only after the last tree has been cut down/Only after the last river has been poisoned/Only after the last fish has been caught/Only then will you realize that money cannot be eaten.”
Yours etc.,
Ankita Joshi,
Via email