Editor,
This pertains to the eligibility criteria for the recent official advertisement notification for the Junior Rural Development Officers in the Community and Rural Development Department, Government of Meghalaya. Students study relevant subject streams and become doctors, engineers, agriculturists, horticulturists, etc. But where do the students who pass out of the Department of RDAP (Rural Development and Agricultural Production) NEHU, Tura fit in? This Central University Department was established over 15 years ago and every year 20 students get their post graduation degree. We have knowledge in four fields basically i.e., Rural Development, Agronomy, Horticulture and Animal Science in addition to basic statistics and computer applications and also specialization in one of the four subjects. We were given real rural life knowledge practically. I still remember that though I have specialized in rural development but since agronomy was one of my subjects, our batch had literally got in muddy peg, bare foot for cultivation of paddy under the hot scorching sun. This is just one example of how we did practical studies. We are officially stamped as “JACK OF ALL TRADES BUT MASTERS OF NONE”.
Statistics 2011 says that Meghalaya has approximately 80% rural population. Hence students after graduation opt for studies specializing in rural development because they see great scope in that field without being aware of the dark reality. Every time we try to fit in departments that have at least one subject related to RDAP, normally our applications are rejected or rejected after an interview. It makes sense because they prefer candidates related purely to their required stream. Till date not one (M.Sc. RDAP) has been placed in the relevant field. Some had to fit in other fields not at all relevant to RDAP and are surviving on the basis of their graduation degree. Majority of M.Sc. RDAP pass out are working on contractual basis in some projects with no job security. On the one hand we have the Dept. of RDAP, NEHU where students who pass out are left with no proper field to fit in and on the other hand we have the State Government that gives little hope of our fitting in after over a decade of studies and is crippling us with the “age bar.” I passed my M.Sc. RDAP in 2010 and since then I have been trying to get into my related field of job but in vain. In the mean time I completed my Ph.D. in RDAP in 2016 and am still unemployed till date.
Today I might be the lone voice but I believe that I am voicing the feelings of the majority of silent, frustrated RDAP Masters degree holders/PhDs. Post-Graduation is a higher degree! When Government is coming up with so many policies to uplift rural people and people with disabilities then why is it crippling the educated unemployed who have specialized in rural development with the age bar? Is Government adopting the right policy and selecting the right candidate? Shouldn’t the eligibility criteria be reviewed concerning the field? Where is my right to live as an educated person (common voice on behalf of RDAPians) or rather I should say “highly educated” person?
Yours etc.,
Dr. Anindita D. Sangma
West Garo Hills
Umiew River a septic tank
Editor,
The page three caption in your paper, “Government bans fishing in Mawphlang dam, Umiew river” (ST Aug 27, 2019) made interesting reading. For many months I have told my people who fish in Umiew River not to do so. The river has become very dirty to the extent that the fish from it may not be edible at all. When KNV (Mawphlang) was asked to improve upon the sewage system, I had another agenda in mind. The Umiew originates at Pomlakrai opposite which stands the huge housing complex of DGAR Assam Rifles. The septic tank may be perfectly fine but as you know we use toilet papers where as the residents use water. This water along with soil goes to the drain nearby and finally into the river. So the ban on fishing is a welcome move as these fishes live on the suspended particles of Umiew river.
Yours etc.,
- Khyriem,
Shillong- 14.