Editor,
I am deeply appalled at the functioning of the Meghalaya College Teachers’ Association (MCTA) and how they are fighting with so much passion in Jefferson Wallang’s case, seeking his reinstatement, even while forgetting the many issues that other teachers face. We as Ad-Hoc teachers have approached the MCTA innumerable times to help us meet our demands and to approach the Education Minister and Chief Minister but they have always keep our request in abeyance. But since Jefferson Wallang is a well to do person with political back-up they are so eager to help him. This Association is biased because the moment they take up posts of President or General Secretary, the next thing they do is contest the Assembly Elections making MCTA a springboard. They are not serious about the teachers’ grievances. Other teachers in colleges also say that their allowances have been stripped off and their pension is a distant dream. For those of us teaching in rural colleges, the MCTA will never take up our issues seriously. They are an Association that will only fight for those with status in society.
Also the Head of Department (HOD) in the colleges are benefitting in terms of the classes they take and the number of off days they take for themselves. The juniors are the most tortured lot. Why can’t there be rotation of headship as happens in other states, now that the semester system has been introduced? Most of the heads are not even qualified to be labeled so since some of them do not have NET or PhD or even publications and have never presented papers nor have they been resource persons in any seminar/workshop/academic discussion. Yet they pose as if they have everything by virtue of being older. Now what does age have to do with being the HOD when they are lacking the necessary qualifications? Also in most colleges there are teachers who take leave at their whim and fancy because they are close to the management. The teachers are also fed up with the corrupt system of recruitment in the colleges. Some teachers are not NET qualified yet they are given college teaching posts while they are being told to prepare for NET alongside and given a two year duration to complete the same. Some of us are NET qualified yet we are left in the lurch.
MCTA should fight for such grievances and not on matters that the management and the terminated teacher can very well resolve mutually. Also please let the MCTA be enlightened that Jefferson Wallang has not attained ‘professorship’ to be addressed as one. He is a mere Assistant Professor who does not even hold a PhD degree leave alone being qualified to be called a professor. Also Jefferson violated the norms and principles of the management that whilst he is on probation he joined in a protest by wearing a black flag. If he is not conforming to the norms it is only right for him to get terminated.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
West Jaintia Hills
Storm in a teacup!
Editor,
The hue and cry over Trump’s offer to mediate between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue is only a storm in a tea cup. It is alleged that Narendra Modi, during his recent visit to the US, had asked President Donald Trump to mediate on the Kashmir issue. However, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made a statement on the floor of both Houses of Parliament to strongly reject Trump’s comment during a meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Washington. Things have become even more confounding when a top presidential advisor said on Tuesday that President Donald Trump ‘does not make up things.’
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “If what Trump claims is true, Modi has betrayed India’s interests.” It was a sentiment backed by several Opposition leaders who spoke out in Parliament and outside.
Why should the Opposition blow the issue out of proportion? Admittedly, it has been India’s consistent position that all outstanding issues with Pakistan are discussed only bilaterally. My question now is, ‘How long have the two countries engaged in bilateral discussion to solve the Kashmir issue? Has there been any breakthrough so far?
Practically speaking, nothing conclusive has been achieved so far. The Kashmir issue is complex and too labyrinthine to be solved. Does anyone believe that Kashmir issue can be solved through bilateral discussions? It is just a pie in the sky for those who choose to believe that a solution is possible. So, what transpired between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this issue is immaterial considering the practical side of the issue.
I presume that Modi might have shared with the US President the vexatious issue of Kashmir and how intractable it is at present. What happens if the US too comes to the negotiating table as a mediator on the Kashmir issue? In the event of finalising and solving the issue, Modi would emerge as one of the most powerful and influential Prime Ministers of India. Perhaps the Opposition parties do not like this to happen; hence this hue and cry.
Yours etc.,
TK Nandanan,
Via email