Editor
In the late afternoon of the September 1, 2018 (Saturday), a huge tree fell across the road leading towards Tripura Castle at Upper Cleve Colony. In the process many electrical posts were bent and the wires snapped. The damage was massive and I immediately informed the MeECL authorities asking them to inform the Forest officials as well. In no time the staff and workers of both these authorities were on the spot and while the MeECL already cut off the power flow, the Forest Department staff after a lot of painstaking effort and with sincerity cleared the part of the tree and the branches off the road which was a gigantic effort much appreciated . This prompt action soon cleared the road for vehicular traffic to pass through while any untoward incident from possible electrical shock was prevented. When darkness prevailed the electrical repair work had to be suspended as the damage was extensive.
It was a pleasant surprise, however, when senior MeECL officers and workers were present on the spot the following day in the early morning hours even though it was a Sunday and from then onwards the restoration work was carried out incessantly throughout the day and well into the night under the constant supervision of an officer. Electricity was temporarily restored that same night. The officer and the workers again turned up early the next day and finally completed the work to their satisfaction late in the evening when regular electrical supply was finally restored.
The restoration work was done quietly and without any fuss in spite of the difficult situation and in spite of the inclement weather that was prevalent almost throughout that day. It was a classic example of the highest form of devotion to duty and which deserves sincere appreciation from all. This tells us that there are such sincere workers of the MeECL who must be toiling in much more difficult terrains and far away from where our eyes can see, to restore power after major breakdowns. It is high time that we spare our thoughts for them also during such occasions and appreciate their efforts. Hats off to the management too for instilling the spirit of dedication in their officers and workers. This is a letter of appreciation for those dedicated workers!
Yours etc.,
K L Tariang,
Via email
Recognition of Khasi language
Editor,
The demand for inclusion of Khasi Language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India as reported in your paper (ST August 3, 2018) is not new. In fact it is a 40 year old demand but till date it has not seen the light of day. This issue was brought up in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly quite a few times in the past by some members of the Assembly. The governments at that time had assured the house to carefully examine the issue and do what was necessary but nothing came of that. It was in the ninth House that an assurance was given on the floor of the House by the then government that the Arts and Culture Department would take necessary steps to prepare everything necessary so that the Meghalaya Government could forward the case before the Union Home Ministry for necessary inclusion of the Khasi Language in the above Schedule. As of now the matter is lying dormant in the Arts and Culture Department without any progress. Perhaps, the Department does not know how to proceed with the case. The Department should have speeded up the matter by seeking help from those who are familiar with the process so that an excellent case could be made out for the State Government to place before the Union Government.
The Khasi Authors’ Society (KAS) has done well by going around Khasi and Jaintia Hills to organise seminars on the importance of the Khasi Language and the need to incorporate the language in the Eighth Schedule. However, no amount of seminars will ensure inclusion of the Khasi language in the Schedule unless it has a powerful lobby which knows the strategies of lobbying for its case. Moreover, the Society ought to repeatedly pressurise the State Government to immediately complete the process of preparing the essential documents relating to the subject for forwarding to the Government of India. What has the KAS been doing for last forty years when this very important matter is still hanging fire?
Yours etc.,
Philip Marwein,
Via email
NEHU fails to correct anomalies
Editor,
NEHU, Shillong is run on unsystematic lines and is still failing to correct their previous misdeeds. Following a series of criticisms regarding the way the university works, it has still not provided the basic requirements of a student graduating within its administration. The first problem is that students who have sent for re-evaluating their 5th semester papers since April 26, 2018 are yet to receive the re-evaluated marks. The second problem is the merit list of the sixth semester results announced on July 20 which is yet to be known by the students of the University. These problems not only make the student nurture heartburns against the University but are creating immense problems for those studying outside the state since they are still unable to submit the necessary documents to their present colleges. These problems need to be addressed by the concerned members of the University Board immediately before they cause more harm to the students currently studying in NEHU.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request