Editor,
In the course of attending the Assembly sessions for several years I have witnessed repeatedly that a large number of questions during the question hours have been allowed to lapse because unnecessary time is consumed in disposing off the first few questions taken up each day. I know that only one hour is allocated for question hour everyday during a session but with proper strategy and time management many questions can be taken up during this limited hour. In fact so many important questions relating to policy and other matters of the government used to remain unanswered due to too many supplementary questions put by members on the first few questions. In this way the matter is dragged on and no time is left for answering the remaining questions listed for each day. This, I consider, is a great loss to the House and also to the public. Even on Monday (Sep 24.9.2018) out of 25 starred questions only the first three were disposed of and the remaining 22 of them could not be taken up by the House. This is a huge loss. Hence, I fervently appeal to the Assembly to look into this aspect by prioritising questions to be raised in the House especially those that relate to vital issues of the state and which deal with policy matters so that more questions put by members (MLAs) are answered. Moreover, I appeal to the Opposition to adopt a suitable and balanced strategy so that priority questions particularly those dealing with policy matter are given due importance over the rest.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marwein,
Via email
Sec #377 – the first step
Editor,
After the ruling on Sec 377 (Sept 6), there has been a lot of debates and discussions in society. The first Pride Parade that was carried out peacefully, justifies the receptiveness of the people in Shillong. Some may even be against it, but as long as they can maintain a civilised tone, no one will be hurt or offended in any way. It would be wrong to expect everyone to understand or accept homosexuality. There are many who cannot welcome this ruling, perhaps because of their culture, religion or how they have been brought up. However, their opinions should also be acknowledged. The law is on the side of homosexuals and this should be borne in mind by both the opposing party as well as the ones who concur with it. Patience is key here; the road towards acceptance and tolerance is a long stretch and is laced with pleasant and unpleasant circumstances.
Yours etc.,
Anissa Lamare,
Via email
Why criticize teachers?
Editor,
Apropos the letter, “Teachers’ Day” by Partha Pratim Sengupta, (ST Sep 4, 2018), I strongly object to the points put forward by the writer and renowned educationist of Shillong on the celebration of Teachers’ Day. I don’t think any teacher has ever demanded gifts on the occasion of Teachers’ Day. The writers must be aware that it is the great philosopher and educationist Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan who had proposed that his birthday be observed as a day for honouring teachers? Hence Teachers’ Day is celebrated to honour the pillars of the society and it is a mandatory celebration. All teachers are not teachers by default and nor are all teachers mediocre students. I strongly detest this statement. All great philosophers were teachers. Were they all mediocre, you mean? There are many who have this art in them. The art of teaching is unique and I don’t think everybody can master it and commenting on a teacher’s caliber is not the brief of the writer.
Private tuition again is not against ethics. As the head of an institution the writer must be aware that in the Indian system of education the teacher-student ratio is completely skewed. The government is requesting teachers to take extra classes or remedial classes for weak students. Some students require individual attention and teachers cannot humanly impart that in a class of 40-50. It takes away a lot of the teacher’s personal time and if they do spare the time to give private tuitions then it is out of their nobility.
I was a student too at one time and I know of a teacher who basically imparted knowledge to only five good students in the first bench. The rest were ignored. But such teachers are now lecturing about who is a good teacher. Had those teachers also given tuitions, many of those who suffered from teacher’s negligence in the class would have benefited. I conclude by saying, that a teaching is makes all other professions and teaching is an art. Also it is only students who are the best judges of a teacher and not anybody else. A teacher never dies. A teacher remains in the hearts of the students forever.
Yours etc.,
An ex-student,
Name withheld on request