Editor,
I am neither a psychologist nor a doctor nor an academician. I am a concerned parent from the teaching field. My worry is not when the doctors or the researchers around the world come up with a vaccine for Covid 19. I am worried about something which is more important than the vaccine and that is how the future citizens are being shaped up to face the new challenges. Be it the central govt. or the state govt. or any other agencies dealing with education, none have yet been able to give any clear picture for the benefit of the students whom we call THE FUTURE OF THE NATION. Recently CBSE came up with a reduced 30% syllabus and then MHRD comes up with restricting the screen time for online classes without even trying to find out whether these online classes are helpful or not. Next WHO gives statements that this pandemic is going to stay for some time. So my question to CBSE is, if the situation stays the same as it is presently for few more months will the syllabus be further slashed? If that is so, are we not compromising with the future of each and every child?
The Govt has already issued SOPs for every sector, but why are there no conclusive steps for the education sector? We all know human life is more important than any other thing in life. The students are really confused about their future; about when the exams are going to be held and will it be usual or will new changes be framed? And if yes then how?
I request the various agencies to declare this year as ZERO YEAR particularly for the students so that they neither have to compromise on the content nor on limited time and let them resume classes as and when the situation normalises. Let MHRD give responsibilities to all the states to decide their own academic session in consultation with their counterparts, academicians and all other stakeholders and frame it in such a way so that the students going for higher education need not compromise their future. I would like concerned parents or teachers or educationists to kindly respond so that we can assure our child gets the future that we have dreamt for their well being.
Yours etc.,
Ignatius Rosary
Via email
Save the tourism business
Editor,
The mental torture that most business-persons engaged in the state’s tourism and hospitality industry, including myself, have been subjected to since the lockdown may push us to take extreme steps like taking our own lives. Although none are raising their voice for obvious reasons, I wish to draw the attention of the Department of Tourism, Govt. of Meghalaya, to this very serious issue. The Department has done virtually nothing so far to assuage the crisis. (for the kind information of all concerned, I am sending copies of this letter to a number of relevant central-level offices in New Delhi, including the PMO and the Ministry of Tourism). It is not only about the survival, or prosperity, of a business but it’s much more than that. It is a question of life and death for a great number of people — the staff/workers, the owners of hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and motels across the state, and their family members. They are all attached to an industry that has remained a key contributor to the state’s economy for almost five decades of its existence, and more so over the past six years since the NGT ban of coal mining in 2014.
You will agree that the success we have achieved so far took a great deal of skills and competence, and years of hard work and perseverance. We became increasingly more conversant, collaborative, and connecting with mainland Indian people with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, as well as foreigners, to build a large customer base by attracting guests (tourists) from across the country, as well as abroad. It is common knowledge that we, the owners of hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, etc., carry out all our activities as tenants from rented establishments. So, in order to not only keep the business afloat but also develop the industry for ourselves and for the state’s economic health and vibrancy, we need cooperation and support of our landlords/landladies when we are in a crisis. And, can there a more critical and dreadful situation than the ongoing predicament caused by Covid-19?
The behaviour of these landowners has, on the contrary, been so intimidating that we may be pushed to suicide. As the owner of a guesthouse in a rented building in Sohra, I have had a frightening experience of constant threats from my landlord in these trying times. He has been putting enormous pressure on me to pay the rent despite business having run dry. I have pleaded to let my business survive the crisis first so that I can compensate him as soon as some sort of normalcy returns. But he is in no mood to relent! He insists: either pay the entire outstanding amount or vacate the place leaving behind all the investments made of (my) hard-earned money worth lakhs of rupees in the form of infrastructure, interior design, furniture, and a whole lot of essential items. I fervently request all key government offices/officials, specifically at the decision-making levels, to persuade all such landlords/landladies to cooperate and stand by us in these difficult times so that once normalcy returns we can act in the best interests of all stakeholders.
Yours etc.,
Caren Nongpyiur,
Via email
“Be a responsible citizen”
Editor,
Being a responsible citizen covers many aspects of our lives. We have legal, social and moral obligations. A responsible citizen must follow the law of the land because laws exist to protect citizens and communities and their properties. Harming others intentionally is not good citizenship. We should be disciplined ourselves in order to help our community members. Further to be responsible citizens we cannot always depend on what our country or government can do for us. Rather we should be asking ourselves what we can do for our country. It is now high time for all of us to understand our duties insofar as controlling and limiting the spread and transmission of Covid-19 is concerned.
Some of the mandatory measures such as wearing masks in public places, social distancing, self isolation or quarantine for both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases and getting tested if showing symptoms are some of the important guidelines we are expected to follow. Apart from this we should also wash our hands frequently with soap and water or apply hand sanitizer. While some have followed this scrupulously the majority of us do not take things seriously. Hence at such crucial times, we all need to understand that our actions have consequences. A single mistake arising out of our socially irresponsible behaviour won’t only cost ourselves but most importantly affect our fellow citizens, our neighbours and community. Hence it is my humble request to all the citizens of Meghalaya to please take things seriously and understand our own roles and responsibilities in limiting the spread and transmission of Covid-19.
The Government has done its best to control and limit the spread of the disease but in the end it is our duty to act as responsible citizens. Last but not the least, my simple advice for all of us is that (a) We should not visit or meet anyone unless it’s very urgent and that includes close family as this is for our mutual safety (b) We should not attend any mass gathering, weddings, and the alike (c) Let us cultivate healthy habits and strengthen our immunity by eating a healthy diet including fruits and vegetables, staying hydrated, avoid consumption of rich diet, alcohol and tobacco (d) Let’s maintain a daily exercise regime (d) Meditation helps calm the mind and that’s important during this pandemic.
Yours etc.,
Dr Rilang Iki Bamon
NEIAH, Shillong