Editor,
The Alumnae of Pine Mount School, Shillong, would like to bring to your kind notice the state of affairs currently prevailing in the school because we are deeply pained by and concerned about the present condition of the School.
The School has rendered tremendous service for over more than a century, not just to the state but to the country as a whole. Pine Mount School was rated as one of the top girls’ school in the country. The standards and ideals which it has impressed upon and passed on to its students over the years have resulted in human resources that have immensely added to the economic and intellectual potential of the state and country through the service of women now serving in various capacities, in both Government and private sectors. It is unfortunate that there has been a glaring decline in the current administration of the School. The erosion of its standards and ideals which once held it together, setting it apart for public duty in spirit and character, was reflected in the many adverse and negative observations about the School in the electronic and print media. While it is only understandable for the present administration to deny these observations and negate them as unsubstantiated, it must be admitted that such adverse observations have been documented and serve as evidence of the decline of the School.
To ascertain facts and to satisfy themselves about the adverse observations made about the school, a few members of the Alumnae visited the school in the morning of May 29, 2019. The condition of the school buildings and school grounds shocked them. The unfortunate plight of both the teachers and the students is an affront to their dignity as human beings. A detailed report of these observations had been sent to the concerned authorities but till date no action has been taken.
The concept of ‘education’ includes a healthy body and a healthy mind which inculcate healthy growth and creativity of the individual, who forms part of the society. If an enabling environment cannot be given to our children, society and the state will have to eventually bear the burden of zero growth and unproductive lives, resulting in poverty.
Regretfully, even the simple matter of maintenance of utilities is not being carried out which have a bearing and impact on the overall quality of education afforded by Pine Mount School at present. Everyone agrees that quality education is the bedrock for a strong, self-reliant society. As a Government school, it would only be fitting, proper and in line with the policy of the Government to take the necessary steps to stop the rapid decline of the School at the very least, if not to restore it to its former pride of place in the field of Education. The School is not only an asset to the Government but the state as a whole, so to see it go to rags and ruins brings immense pain to those of us who have passed out from this premier institution.
We therefore earnestly seek the intervention of the Government and support for the sake of the school, the children and the future of the State of Meghalaya.
Yours etc.,
Pine Mount Alumnae,
Via email
Of regressive sloganeering
Editor,
The right to protest peacefully is guaranteed by our Constitution and lies at the heart of a democracy. Articles 19 (1)(a) and 19 (1)(b) provide citizens with the right to freedom of speech and expression and to assemble peacefully. However, raising of divisive slogans is condemnable. “Para Khasi – Trade, Para Khasi – Marry, Para Khasi – Labour, Para Khasi – rent a home, Para Khasi” was the slogan raised by former MLA Ardent Basaiawmoit. I would like to highlight that “Para Khasi, Trade” will do more harm than good to our struggling economy. We live in a landlocked state which is highly dependent on the Central Government for development funds therefore isolation will be detrimental to our state’s economy. The state needs to open up investment opportunities for its development. “Para Khasi, Marry” is a regressive idea. According to the SC, on the Hadiya Marriage Case, the right to marry a person of one’s choice is integral to right to life & liberty. Society should not have a role to play in our choices of love and partnership. At a time when the ruling party at the Centre is trying to divide the country on a Hindu vs Muslim basis we must keep in mind that unity against divisive forces is essential to uphold the core values of our Constitution like justice, liberty, equality, fraternity and the unity and integrity of the Nation.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
India slips on democracy
Editor,
We should follow Norway which is one of the most secular and democratic countries of the world instead of paying undue attention to Pakistan. According to the Democratic Index 2019, India has slipped down to 51st rank with a score of 6.90 out of 10. Now, we must try to beat the champion Norway (score 9.87) instead of slowly moving towards Pakistan (score: 4.25). A Vibrant democracy and secular ideals also helped Norway achieve the number one slot in the 2019 Human Development Index. We need to emulate Norway to improve our 129th rank in HDI instead of being enamoured with 152nd ranked Pakistan.
It is a matter of grave concern that India has been heading downwards in the World Press Freedom Index from 133rd rank in 2016 to 138 in 2017 to 140 in 2019. We have alarmingly been inching closer to 150th ranked Pakistan. Now, we must reverse the backward pull towards Pakistan and move forward to have a healthy competition with the numero uno Norway.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata