Editor,
Apropos the write-up ” Should Meghalaya have a Casino?” by Avner Pariat (ST July 22, 2020), I thank the author for his originality of thoughts which may or may not have many takers. No doubt, he has done some Google search and relied on his own perceptions before airing his views. Pariat should have known that the idea of Casino has been doing the rounds for a long time. Recently, Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma made a mention about it in the context of the decline of tourists in the state after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. If I remember correctly, Sangma had specifically mentioned, that the Government would come up with action plans to attract the niche tourists, especially, those from abroad.
As of now, only 10% of Meghalaya’s tourists are foreigners (this includes the Bangladeshi tourists). The remaining bulk is accounted for by the inland tourists. A large segment of the domestic tourists have shoe-string budgets. They prefer budget hotels and leave after a sojourn of two or three days. Relatively, they spend less money, but they make up by their sheer numbers in adding to the local economy. Be that as it may, the idea of having a casino has been turned down by Pariat by dishing out some laughable reasons. His principal argument is that casinos are going to ruin the local people by alluring them to gambling as a habit. He also seems to have suggested that casinos will help the “coal mafia” to make their black money turn white! On both counts, Pariat has erred in his judgment.
First, betting on arrow shooting (thoh tim) has been legalised for over forty years. How many local people have been financially ruined by their gambling instincts? Even in the worst case scenario, it can’t be more than a handful. On the other hand, how many families survive out of this unique gambling system of the state? A huge number of bookies, who otherwise have no income source, have been earning their livelihoods out of betting on archery. The government too is making small but steady earnings.
Secondly, the argument that coal mine-owners would find an ideal way of legalising their black money is simply preposterous. Why on earth should a coal baron need to take the casino route? Isn’t he already exempt from paying taxes?
In many countries, including neighbouring Nepal, casinos do exist among very conservative milieu. In Kathmandu, for instance, access to the casino is open only to the foreigners. Their valid passport is the only ticket to entry! In Goa, too, foreigners and non-Goan inland tourists, with valid identity proof, can enjoy gambling at the casinos.
The other arguments put forward by Pariat are simply a figment of his imagination. I need not dwell on those. I am more than certain that Meghalaya will take all precautions not to make Pariat’s fears come true! For all I know, the likes of Pariat will not have the good fortune of trying their luck at the proposed casino!
Come to think of it, the idea of a casino in Assam border near Khanapara may not be a bad idea at all. Being close to the border, it is bound to attract tourists and residents from Assam to hone their gambling skills in our State. The only snag is that those genuine tourists who come to spend time in Shillong may not have the urge to travel back and forth to Khanapara just for the lure of Slot machines, Black jack, Roulette and what have you.
Yours etc.,
N K Sharma,
Via email
Dubious schools of GH plains belt
Editor,
Apropos the letter, “What ails the education system in Garo Hills” (ST July 23, 2020), I want to thank the unnamed author for touching upon some of the endemic problems of the education scenario in Garo Hills. While I tend to largely agree with the writer’s contentions, I am disappointed that the author missed some glaring aspects of the results of this year’s SSLC exams.
Indeed, when as many as ten schools fail to get even a single candidate to pass the SSLC exam, it becomes a matter of disgrace. Never before has this happened since the creation of Meghalaya 48 years ago. If we take a closer look, at these ten dubious schools, nine are from Garo Hills and one from Mawkyrwat in West Khasi Hills. Further scanning will reveal that seven of these nine schools come under what is commonly known as the plain belts of Garo Hills.
This brings us to the obvious question, why are the schools in the plains belt in such deplorable state? The reasons are varied and unmistakeable. The plains belt schools have always been in the news for all the wrong reasons. There is a regular battle between warring groups to take control of the management of these schools. Litigations, charges and counter-charges, fudging of marks, question paper leakage etc follow with predictable regularity. Eventually the group which is well connected politically manages to take control of things. These politics-ridden schools become a hotbed of nepotism, if not outright corruption. The managing committees by manipulation provide teacher’s posts to their kith and kin, irrespective of merit. These schools do everything except provide proper lessons to the children. When teachers are selected for their connections instead of merit and qualification, the effect is bound to show someday. Therefore, it is not surprising that these schools have performed the way they did.
The worry is that there is no possibility whatsoever to rectify the situation. No matter what Chief Minister and Education Minister may say, it will be next to impossible to rein them in because there is no political will to take hard action. God bless our education system!
Yours etc.,
Bijoy Ch Marak,
Via email