Editor,
The State Government indecision on re-opening of Asia’s largest open market has really affected all and sundry. But the worst affected are those so called “unorganized hawkers” . The other day as I was watching a local news channel highlighting the plights being faced by these small wage earners at Motphran area, I was greatly saddened.
These hawkers are not allowed to stand in one particular place to sell their small items and are being chased away by some police personnel. They are not even allowed to sit in a particular place to have their own lunch. Many of them braved the risk of contacting COVID-19 just to sustain their livelihoods.
It is understandable that the government does not want to take any risk by re-opening Iewduh at the earliest as this market place has more than a dozen entry and exit points and around 5000 commercial establishments. But Standard Operating Procedures(SOPs) should have been placed and planned much earlier by the concerned authorities.
When large commercial areas like Police Bazaar and other markets in the city have been open long ago with specified protocols and SOPs, it’s high time that the Government reconsider opening of Iewduh too as this marketplace is the source of income to many small income families and other daily wage earners.
Yours etc.;
Mangkara Hynniewta
Shillong-10
NEHU Affairs
Editor,
Apropos the news report “Thappa to approach CAT” dated June 5th, 2020, in your esteemed daily, as well as other related news items in previous issues, it appears that the former Director of NEIGRIHMS was transferred by the concerned authorities in their wisdom and in the best interests of the Institute, although it remains open for him to assail the same in the courts. Now there is a comparable situation prevailing in North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) where too the situation is apparently quite unstable on account of the lack of proper communication between the present Vice Chancellor and the majority of the teaching staff members as well as the students. It seems that the Vice Chancellor is mostly unable to carry the teaching staff members and the students with him while managing the University. Even when the Hill Areas Special Allowance (HASA) was stopped, the administration under the present Vice Chancellor was unable to impress the rationale upon the teachers which is why the matter is still being agitated in the courts.
Similarly the actions with regard to removal of two Heads of Departments were also not found acceptable by many of the teachers and students. The latest in line is probably the issue of fresh elections of Office Bearers of the Teachers’ Association which seemingly could not be held on account of the pandemic. In these circumstances, probably, it shall be in the best interests of all concerned, particularly the student community, if the authorities were to also cause the present incumbent Vice Chancellor to be replaced at the earliest.
Yours etc;
Mewan Pariat,
Shillong
Re-opening of religious places disappointing
Editor,
While we congratulate the Government and church leaders who had an important meeting on Friday June 5, 2020 to discuss the re-opening of places of worship from June 14, the same is very confusing. Is it not too early? While for other faiths it may work, but for me as a member of the Presbyterian Church it does not. Moreover, worshipping God is without condition.
1) Worshipping Community:-worshipping in the church is for all ages from 3 year olds to the elderly. But the SOP says only those below 65 years are allowed to the church. Is that the Church? Please answer those who understand the theology of the Church. Does this mean elderly people can no longer come to church? “Jesus says let the children cone to me,” the government says that is not allowed.
2) People with comorbidities such as pre-existing heath conditions such as diabetes, heart problems, etc., and who have cough and fever cannot attend. Is the worship service of the church is only for healthy people? Jesus says, “Come to me all you who are weary and I shall give you rest.” Never have we experienced in the History of the Church that only healthy people are allowed to worship God. The sick and suffering are not meant to enter churches in Meghalaya
3) Mr Chief Minister you had said that the next two weeks are critical for the State until all the returnee friends from across the country reach home safe and sound. Now you say we can open religious places that very same week. What you speak and what your Government does is contradic- ‘‘In the public realm, secularism should not concede a single inch to religious intrusions. ’’ — Gad Saad tory Mr Chief Minister.
Why the rush to open up churches? This is very risky indeed 4) If anyone is infected with Covid-19 will you put the blame on the churches? Mr Chief Minister & Mr Dy. Chief Minister what are you doing? Please concentrate on governance and leave spiritual matters aside. Concentrate on the Police Department, Education & Health Department, & look after the health workers besides thousands of unemployed youths of the state.
Don’t enter the religious realms of Divinity and prove that, “Fools rush in where angels fears to tread” 5) Lastly, protocols are not relevant with the Spirit of Worship. It seems that our Government just copypasted the MHA protocols without doing your homework. If this letter hurts or disturbs anyone, I apologize in advance. I don’t mean to hurt or offend anyone but just wanted to state my stance as a son of the Church.
Yours etc.
Y .Dkhar & others
Shillong-2