Editor,
The recent development in Aeroville school where a child has been seriously assaulted by the Headmistress requires a fresh perspective. I have myself have been in the teaching profession for a good 35 years. Not for a moment do I condone the act. My heart goes out to the child who now is traumatised and needs complete reassurance, and love from all quarters from school authorities, parents, relatives and friends. Yes it is very unfortunate. I understand the pain and torment her parents would be facing now and in the days to come. Inconsolable would describe them best. The angry reactions pouring out on social media or in private conversations are undoubtedly justified. I too would have reacted the same way if it was my child or grandchild.
Having said that, the uneasiness and awkwardness that Madam Sane must be going through in this entire episode is unimaginable. To give credit where it due, she has been a dedicated teacher for countless students in different schools for three decades. Why is it then that we remember and record the goals that a goalkeeper has missed rather than appreciate the hundreds of goals that he has saved in his career? Yes all goals must be saved but we are human and there is always a slip-up sometimes in minor ways and in this case in a major way.
As a teacher myself I can fully understand how as teachers we expect our wards to be perfect. Being human we sometimes go overboard in our words and actions but only because we strive to teach and get the best out of them without realising the far reaching consequences of our actions. Yes what happened is wrong and I admit it.
Madam Sane herself has brought up four grown up sons, all gentlemen to the core as I know them but she has also had her fair share of troubles and uncertainties in life. Her youngest born had to undergo a heart transplant some years ago. I do not have her permission to write all this; but these are just my musings being a teacher myself. There are those unfortunate days where we carry our problems to our workplace. This is a learning experience and a warning to all of us in the teaching profession that we should exercise patience and cool and tolerate the shortcomings of our students and also be kind and gracious at all times no matter how difficult and testing our day might be.
Now that the case is out in the open and all concerned authorities are informed and involved and the incident will run its legal and logical course before things come to a closure my sincere request would be that we should stop the gossiping on social media and in the privacy of our homes about this unfortunate incident and trust that God above is at the helm of affairs and something good will always come out of something unpleasant. It is my sincere hope that this isolated incident will not deter or discourage Madam Sane from performing her duties and that she will continue to be the dedicated teacher and administrator that she has always been. Also that she will continue to be treated with love and respect by her students past and present and by her well-wishers.
Yours etc.,
Shirleen AB Sawkmie
Tura
Protecting traditional knowledge systems
Editor,
Traditional knowledge has no single definition, however, it may be defined as knowledge that is unique to a given culture or society which provide the infrastructure for agriculture, health care, food preparation, training, environmental conservation and other life process on the local level. It is part of the identity of indigenous tribes It has recently been regarded as an important commodity in global health development. World Health Organisation (WHO) in its recommendations on Health for All Declaration (1978) highlighted the need to include local people, their traditions and practices in Primary Health Care (PHC).
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines traditional medicine as ‘the health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating plant, animal and mineral-based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent illnesses or maintain well-being’
Herbal medicine in traditional medical practice is an important resource which can be mobilized for the attainment of the common goal of health for all. These herbal medicines have contributed significantly to man’s struggle against diseases and maintenance of health. In recent years interest in the use of herbal preparations has increased. Herbal medicines are used in most countries within the state health care system or in communities and private practices outside the state system.
Traditional and indigenous knowledge is unique to a given culture or society and the Jaintias who adhere to the traditional belief system are no exception to this knowledge particularly in health care. However, the advent of western cultures has had a great impact on the traditional healing system. Today, the survival of many indigenous/traditional knowledge systems is at stake because of rapidly changing natural environments and fast-paced economic, political, and cultural changes on a global scale. Traditional knowledge is transmitted from generation to generation, often in oral form or by way of example, whereas written sources may not exist at all or may exist only in local languages. Thus, it is imperative to preserve the knowledge held by our forefathers. It is in this context, that the traditional knowledge should be afforded effective protection. In recognition of the value and preservation and promotion of the traditional knowledge system, Sein Raij Niamtre Shillong proposes to setup the Jaintia Indigenous Knowledge Centre ( A Centre of Herbal Health Care & Other Traditional Knowledge and Spiritual Healing) which will be inaugurated on May 5, 2019, to coincide with its 56th anniversary. The Centre has been proposed with the objective of promoting, preserving and documenting the indigenous and traditional knowledge, to meet the primary health care requirements of the communities and to promote other indigenous systems of health knowledge and spiritual healing practices.
Yours etc.,
Dr. Omarlin Kyndiah
Via email