Kudos Fr. Paul Coelho!

Editor, 

Recently we have come to know that one of the schools in South West Khasi Hills District, viz., St Xavier’s H.S. School at Umoid run by the Catholic Jesuit Congregation received public attention when the school management introduced the Khasi traditional dress of jainsem for the girl students as a school uniform instead of normal uniforms worn by pupils of good number of academic institutes. This novelty  of approach initiated by the school principal Fr. P. Coelho ought to receive widespread public approbation, especially from the Hynniewtrep Community and, importantly, such innovative makeover could be a wake-up clarion call and a game changer across the board since we have observed that most schools, even in Mission run- schools, in Shillong prescribe the ubiquitous salwar kameez as a uniform. The salwar kameez is distinctly a popular Punjabi suit and a traditional dress of women in Punjab region, of North eastern India and eastern Pakistan. Such salwar kameez uniform was virtually alien to our indigenous schools years ago.

Just as the seismic sea waves of nationalism have recently swept India post the Balakot episode which was unerringly responsible for the BJP’s massive triumph in the last parliamentary polls, it is also but a natural corollary that the induction of jainsem uniform can be a veritable wake-up call of Hynniewtrep nationalism, courtesy a non elitist school at Umoid! Furthermore, it is more than bewildering that it obliges a Priest in question, evidently a non-Khasi at that, to boldly outline such refreshingly novel idea of upholding our indigenous entity while most of us are blissfully slumbering over this critical social issue.

Yours etc.,

Jerome K. Diengdoh,

Shillong-2

Absurd demand

Editor

It is absurd that a civil society pressure group like HYC should be demanding up to 80 percent job reservation in the private sector. This group seems blind to certain realities. They are unable to get actual data on the percentage of private investments in Meghalaya and who these investors are and why they should be obliged to consider extending the reservation policy in private entities when competition and skills are an important driving factor of the state economy. Instead they should compile the data of the number of skilled local entrepreneurs and add them to the existing employment sector or identify the skilled ones and encourage them towards self employment rather than depending on someone to give them employment. To ask for reservation from the government in the private sector seems over the top since the government has no control over private investors. I would suggest that local entrepreneurship be encouraged and we have so many shining examples from our own tribal society.

Yours etc…

Dominic S. Wankhar

Shillong – 3

Amazon forest fires

Editor,

It is shocking to read reports about the raging fire that started engulfing the Amazon rainforest in the South American continent. The Amazon is often referred as the ‘lungs of the planet’ and it is one of the richest areas of biodiversity on the planet and covers 2.12 million square miles. Also, it is often touted as one of the planet’s biggest oxygen suppliers as well as a key mechanism to absorb carbon dioxide and thereby slow the effects of climate change. The world’s forests suck up 2.4 billion tons of carbon annually, with the Amazon alone absorbing about a quarter of that.

It is equally disturbing to learn that the blazes are not accidental or natural though in dry years fires can be common. It is alleged that during the run-up to the recent election, a far-right populist, Jair Bolsonaro who later became the President of Brazil promised to weaken the Amazon’s environmental protections, which have been effective at reducing deforestation for two decades, and open up the rainforest to economic development. So, farmers emboldened by Jair Bolsonaro, have been setting on illegal blazes to clear forest for cattle and crops.

The bug of greed concomitant with this modern era, to milk the earth dry has bitten Jair Bolsonaro too. Such attitude is short-sighted and detrimental to the environment. Bolsonaro’s cynical attitude vis-a-vis the environment makes it impossible to find a remedy. The Amazon rainforest does, in some sense, belong to Brazilians, and the indigenous people who live there. But as a store of carbon, it is fundamental to the survival of every person. If destroyed or degraded, the Amazon, as a system, is simply beyond humanity’s ability to get back. It will take millions of years to replenish the system though not the lost eco system. So, it is easier for us to destroy the eco system but its restoration is never possible. All the countries must unite to fight the Amazon blazes and prevail upon Brazil government to urgently take remedial measures to protect the Amazonia.

Yours etc.,

TK Nandanan,

Via email

A gentleman politician

Editor,
In Arun Jaitley’s demise the nation has lost one of its finest leaders-a real gentleman politician. Indeed the nation has lost a real academic-politician who intertwined political ideology with academic knowledge. A politician known for his Intellectuality, integrity, dedication and commitment Jaitley was a task master, an expert known for his ability and agility to unknot any problem in a “come what may attitude” and at the same time doing so with a ‘super foresight’  and careful scrutiny that is not found in many of the politicians today. Called “the trouble shooter” of the BJP and the government he was the first person the party and the government looked to whenever the Party was challenged. A very bold and determined leader  and at the same time very polite and gentle his endeavour in taking  steps for some big reforms, having in mind  only the growth of the nation, are to be truly lauded.
The GST, insolvency and bankruptcy code, bank consolidation, macro stabilisation and FDI liberalisation are some of the major contributions of Jaitley as the nation’s FM. He stood with Modi when there was a hue and cry after the demonetisation process. Known for his simplicity and geniality he was respected and admired by everybody including those from the opposition.
Yours etc.,
M Pradyu

Kannur