Editor,
The letter captioned, “Pandemic impact on education” by Emily Ryntathiang (ST Nov 21, 2020) correctly depicts the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on young school students particularly in Meghalaya. There is an urgent need to resume classroom teaching instead of providing assignments through WhatsApp or online mode, hitherto being done since the onset of the pandemic. We have to realize that the pandemic is not going to end in the near future and we should strive to accept the new normal. As such, Government should immediately reopen the schools by overcoming the fear-psychosis of Covid-19. In this regard, we should take a cue from Ramakrishna Mission which has gone ahead on its own and re-opened all schools from lower primary to higher classes, in both rural and urban areas under their management about a month back without waiting for Government’s directive. In fact, they have also enhanced the school hours and made every Saturday a working day just to compensate the loss the students have suffered during the last eight months. Their action is laudable since they have given priority to students’ well-being over the fear of pandemic. Their action seems more justified since not a single positive case of infection of students has been reported from any of their schools in the past one month or so.
Through your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of the Hon’ble Education Minister, Government of Meghalaya, Government run schools and schools managed by missionary organizations to emulate the bold step taken by Ramakrishna Mission and re-open all schools in Meghalaya at the earliest keeping in mind the future of our children.
Yours etc.,
R Chyrmang
Shillong-4
Action points to protect Meghalaya tribals
Editor,
I appreciate the pressure groups of Meghalaya for pressuring the Central Government to implement the “Inner line Permit ( ILP)” in the entire state Meghalaya. Their demand is great to keep Meghalaya isolated!
However, before implementing ILP in Meghalaya the following measures should be taken:
- Shift NEIGRIHMS from Shillong as many non-tribal patients are coming from neighbouring Tripura, Assam, etc. for treatment as this hospital is inviting non-tribal patients from above mentioned areas.
- Shift IIM from Shillong since this institution is inviting non-tribal students and faculty from other parts of country.
- Shift NEEPCO from Shillong as non-tribal people are coming to Shillong and polluting Meghalaya. Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation can take care of Meghalaya.
- Shift NEC from Shillong since non-tribals employees are coming to Shillong, as a result Meghalaya is turning into a cosmopolitan state. It is unwanted by the CoMSO.
- Shift the National Institute of Fashion Technology from Shillong since many professors and students from other parts of India are coming to Shillong with their advanced scientific and technological ideas for the betterment of humankind. It should be prohibited in Meghalaya.
- Shift BSNL, FCI and Post master General of Northeast from Shillong for the same problem- many employees are non-tribals.
- Shift all headquarters of the military/para military and CRPF from Shillong. Let MLP 1st,2nd,3rd,4th,5th,6th,and 7th battalions fight with Bangladeshi soldiers and protect the boundaries of Meghalaya.
- Meghalaya Government should stop advertising for Tourism. All the tourists are non-tribals and contribute much to the economy of Meghalaya.
- Permanently close down the Umroi Airport . No outsiders (non-tribals) should be allowed to come to Shillong.
- NEHU should stop recruiting non-tribal teaching staff and stop admitting non-tribal students because they bring scientific, technological and liberal ideas. This is outside influence and should be prohibited.
- Dismantle Byrnihat Bridge and Malidor Bridge. These are the main culprits bringing in non-tribals from other parts of India to Shillong.
- Internet should be completely shut down and should not be allowed in Meghalaya because it also brings outside influence.
These above measures can keep local people safe and protected from outside influence. Let the people of Meghalaya take advantage of Central Government’s handout (as they have been getting for many decades even when people from other parts of India are working hard to support the lavish life style of the tribals. Let the people of Meghalaya live happily ever after in their own little paradise.
Yours etc,
Chakshekar Reddy,
Bengaluru
Shillong needs a shopping mall!
Editor,
The importance of a shopping mall is mainly for people to get out of their houses for a while and do something entertaining. It will be more convenient for the people living within the State to have one central location to do all their shopping rather than to drive many miles to Guwahati or Kolkata just to buy different types of products for their personal needs.
The idea of having a ‘Smart City’ is highly recommended in the state since the shopping mall would be constructed based on an eco-friendly method having greenery and clean surroundings thereby leading to a pollution-free atmosphere.
‘Employment’ is the main criteria as many people in the state are still unemployed while some of them have lost their jobs. Setting up a shopping mall would boost the economy of the state, reduce corruption and prevent financial crisis. Malls can provide jobs to a number of youths in the state who face difficulty in setting up their own businesses due to lack of ideas, paucity of funds for initial investment, difficulty in finding sponsorship to name a few.
Hence I would urge the State Government to kindly consider taking up the shopping mall project. Government can consider whether it should be constructed in the heart of the city or on the outskirts.
Yours etc.,
Alvinson Process Syiem,
Via email