Editor,
Kindly provide me with some space for sharing my thoughts on the consequences of current lockdown of our educational institutions due to the coronavirus pandemic. There is no denying that during the first few months of the lockdown, the situation was tense and grim. There was fear all around. Very rightly the institutions came under lock and key. After all, we couldn’t have exposed our children to the virus. Eight months later, although there is no tangible improvement in the spread of the infection, people outside Meghalaya have begun to live with the virus. In Meghalaya the infection rate appears to have fallen appreciably perhaps because of lesser tests being carried out today compared to say August/September.
However, we notice that the Meghalaya Government in its wisdom has refrained from resuming normal classes. Without questioning the rationale of such a decision, as a parent, I am a little worried about the likely impact of such a long lockdown of institutions on our children and youth. For one, the on-line classes and home works on WhatsApp are in a way a substitute for normal classes. Since March this year, the children I know of have learnt precious little. On-line classes are a sham. This cannot be a replacement for normal classes. During normal times, the school students have a standard work load. They conduct themselves more predictably. Their life’s rhythm is even. They are more productive and have new lessons to learn, new tasks to perform. Today, I don’t notice this. The students have become casual and care-free. They have no pressure on them and spend time more on mobile phones than on books. I am sure, by and large, this is a common scenario.
But my real worry is what next? Next calendar year the institutions are bound to reopen, COVID or not. While it is true that school children across the country have suffered in a similar fashion, I know for a fact that students elsewhere have not wasted their time and kept themselves on their toes for higher challenges that lie ahead. The same cannot be said for the children here. Therefore, I foresee that it is going to be a huge challenge for the students of Meghalaya to compete with the students from the rest of the country. As it is, our students need to be constantly pushed and without handholding from teachers and parents they tend to take it easy. Given this situation, I wonder whether the Government has a plan to protect the interests of the local students planning to sit for all-India exams. It would be good, in my opinion, if the government comes up with special coaching facility for this category of students.
Yours etc.,
A concerned parent,
Name withheld on request
Via email
Road in urgent need of repair
Editor,
The road from Mawroh to Mawkynroh junction(Umshing- Mawkynroh road) is in urgent need of repair. The road is in a pathetic condition with potholes all along this stretch and the road edges are being eroded by the recent heavy rains. The narrow width of the road makes it difficult for two vehicles to pass at certain stretches. There was some ray of hope a few months ago when there where rumblings and talks that the road will be double- laned for the ensuing National Games. On June 14, 2019, it was reported in a local Khasi daily that 12.50 crores have been sanctioned to re-lay the road from Mawroh to Umjarain from the Central Road Funds. There have been many inspections conducted by the PWD officials and also by the respected MLA, Mr PT Sawkmie. However, the work which has been started is very slow for reasons not known. The pandemic has of course stalled most of the projects in the State but I would urge the Department to please speed up the work if things are in place. Presently, the road is in bad shape and all I pray through this letter is for the authorities to do some minor repairs to make it road-worthy till the major repair and reconstruction is effected.
Yours etc.,
R N Rymbai,
Shillong – 22
Whither transparency
Editor,
At last the police have had to speak up after being held responsible for all the crimes committed vis-à-vis the illegal coal mining and transportation. Police have said that the entire coal business is controlled by different departments and each department must discharge its duty as per the law of the land. According to Supreme court directives the seized coal shall be dealt by the State in accordance with Section 21 of the Act, 1957. The court further stated that the state can decide on taking action against the illegal coal mining and the cases have to be dealt with in accordance with the law.
The Mining and Geology Department has laid down some procedures to allow transportation of seized coal after its disposal through public action: Consignment carrying auctioned coal shall be allowed for transportation only with the High-Security Mineral Transport Challan (MTC) containing hologram and fugitive ink to be issued by the DMR. The truck number, route, and destination shall be indicated in MTC and the consignor should use the only route mentioned in the MTC.
The DMR shall intimate the issuance of Mineral Transport Challans to the concerned Superintendent of Police and Commissioner of Transport along with route of transportation and destination, The Mineral Transport Challan(MTC) shall be stamped as Auctioned Coal’ with internal secret marking. The Superintendent of Police shall ensure checking of vehicles by Police on National Highways and Roads to detect illegal coal transportation within their jurisdiction.
The concerned Deputy Commissioner shall station a joint team consisting of Police, DMR officials, and Transport Department at the junction of weighbridge-cum-check gates of Transport Department or DMR check gates to divert all the goods laden trucks including coal-laden trucks from the main road towards weighbridge-cum-check gate. Joint team shall check all the goods carrying trucks for necessary documents. Joint team shall detect coal-laden trucks without valid Mineral Transport Challan and seize the vehicle, and shall register the case under Section 21 of Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957
The Superintendent of Police concerned shall depute at least two Police personnel to each weighbridge-cum-check gate in his jurisdiction to detect vehicles carrying coal illegally.
With all the checks and balances in place no criminality should occur but it does. Why? Who is responsible? We the people need to know.
Yours etc.,
NR Lyngdoh,
Via email