Editor,
Creating awareness among narrow minded people in different localities of Shillong and in Meghalaya in general regarding COVID-19 is the need of the hour. No doubt “Prevention is better than cure,” and hats off to the initiative taken by the Government of Meghalaya to bring back stranded people to their homes from within and outside the North-East with precautionary measures already pre-planned. But my question is whether people of Meghalaya and those in different localities of Shillong fully aware about COVID-19 and what home quarantine is.
The Government has directed returnees to be under home quarantine for 14 days and this is being communicated to the Dorbar Shnong and Rangbah Dong of different localities. However, what I have observed in these 4 days of home quarantine is that people in the locality tend to stigmatize those under quarantine instead of giving them moral support. They even spread unnecessary rumours regarding the virus. This has been my experience since I returned from a Green Zone in Guwahati. Even though I am not infected by Covid19, I am taking all precautionary measures to ensure that the society is not affected, by keeping myself under complete isolation not only from my family members but from society as a whole for a full 14 days as instructed by the Government. But I feel that the support that is from society is missing. Rather, it is bringing down my morale.
In future, we may face a situation that is worse than this. If people in society have such a narrow mindset for those under quarantine, what will be their attitude towards those who are really infected? And if an infected person recovers from the disease it will be very difficult for him/her to live in the society as stigmatization and discrimination will always be there.
Hence my humble request to the Government and the local authorities is to design awareness programmes touching these core aspects such as the post quarantine and post recovery status of an infected individual and also the concept of home quarantine to bring drastic changes in the mindset of people regarding the pandemic.
Yours etc.,
Debu Sarkar
Shillong- 4
Negative impact of social media & lockdown
Editor,
Social Media (like Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, etc) is one of the tools that benefits a lot of users who use it the right way. In fact social media is widely used by many, right from children to adults, literate and illiterate, rich and poor as well. There is no doubt that the use of social media offers a lot of advantages for the users especially during this pandemic when everyone is told to stay at home. Social media enables close friends, relatives and loved ones to connect, no matter what the distance is. But it is also unfortunate that social media is used to fool people through fake news especially those related to Covid19. As a responsible citizens of the country, I request all those who are used to the perverse habit of spreading fake news to kindly stop it immediately, because fake news will not only have a negative impact on an individual but it will harm the society at large, especially those illiterate who always depend on whatever news they get from literates. I appeal to the general public not to be carried away by any news that comes over social media, especially WhatsApp without verifying the facts before taking any decision. We should only trust news that comes from the Government, Police Department, Health Department and the Government authorized media both print as well as online.
We need to stay calm and be patient for the time being. Let us work together with the Government. One day we shall overcome this Corona Virus with this spirit of cooperation.
Yours etc.,
Dr. Mebandabha Rabon (PhD)
West Jaintia Hills
Why this subjugation?
Editor,
It is indeed unfortunate that two eminent professors of Political Science and English have been stripped of their positions as HODs of their respective departments by the Vice Chancellor of NEHU, on the pretext that they did not submit the report on online teaching in the official format. There is no denying that both the professors are not only revered by their students and scholars but have been instrumental in the growth, well-being and success of their scholars and wards. I speak from experience as I had been a PhD scholar of the HOD of the Department of English. As her scholar, she taught me to accept challenges without any inhibitions and pursue my goal with determination and sincerity. Her teachings changed my entire perspective on learning and research. I have always seen her being diligent and sincere towards her responsibilities. I am sure that all the students and scholars under her supervision would consider themselves blessed to be mentored and guided by her. I for one would say with pride that I could not have asked for a better teacher for I had the best.
I would also like to state here that the HOD, Political Science had taught me the importance of being moulded academically and of being polite and conscientious in my perception of life and people. His kindness and benevolence are gems worthy of emulation for a life time. Personally, I am surprised and hurt that they are both subjected to such humiliation.
Today, as the world is passing through very tough times caused by this pandemic, I feel it is time for us as individuals to be united, a time to reach out to one another, a time to encourage and inspire and a time for positivity and optimism.
I pray that good sense prevails and the matter is sorted out amicably. I echo the expectations and aspirations of their students and hope that both of them are re-instated as HODs of their respective departments at the earliest.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email