Editor,
I am writing to express my deep appreciation for the article by Patricia Mukhim entitled “Education: The only game-changer” (ST 18 Dec, 2020). I also appreciate deeply the impassioned letter to the Editor written by Mr. Salil Gewali (ST 23 Dec, 2020) crying for a return to moral values.
As I reflect on my childhood in India, the most precious class for me was “Moral Science” — a class routinely despised by worldly parents back then — because it did not fetch accolades, prizes, or fortune. I was grateful as well for the rich Bengali culture, which whetted my appetite for philosophical thinking — the poetry of Tagore, kirtan songs with their soulful lyrics, etc. Although I am not a Christian, I enjoyed as well the Bible classes for children in my convent school. This was the rich general education I received – in stark contrast to what education has become today — a utilitarian feeder pipe into industry — for only one purpose — to make money. In the world today, a glib tongue alone matters. We have forgotten the spirit behind the words!
A nation needs more than scoundrels with credentials (as Mr. Gewali points out). It needs morally sound citizens. For leaders, it needs ethical statesmen and states women — not scoundrels with oratory skills. To be religious without being ethical makes no sense either.
Thanks again for your article and Mr. Gewali’s letter.
Yours etc.,
Deepa Majumdar,
Via email
Right person for the right job
Editor,
It’s a sorry sight to see the sorry state of affairs in MeECL. What is urgently needed is a capable person who has experience in this field to rescue this ailing Corporation from troubled waters. Only one person comes to mind and the State Government doesn’t have to look too far to find such a person. Many may not have even heard of his name. Mr Andrew Langstieh who has now returned to Meghalaya his home state took charge of the Damador Valley Corporation a few years ago when the Corporation was in the red. DMC is the first multi-purpose river valley project in the country. After Mr Langstieh took charge, the Corporation’s fortunes spectacularly changed for the better. So my humble suggestion to the State Government is to start appointing capable people like Mr Andrew Langstieh to important posts across the board. My suggestion does not carry an iota of nepotism since the man has proved his credentials.
Yours etc.,
Gary Marbaniang,
Via email
Legislation takes a backseat
Editor,
Whilst going through the newspaper for the last two to three days, it’s become apparent that some of our former legislators miss the spotlight and would do or say anything to be in the centre of it. Be it our savvy lady Congress legislator Ampareen Lyngdoh or former firebrand leader Ardent Basaiawmoit, both of whom harped on the present ban of the government on Christmas carolling in the streets. No doubt, such a ban is a dampener on the Christmas spirit but given the present Covid scenario, I feel the ban is justified. There are many more pressing issues which affect the lives of the people in the state like the rising prices of essential commodities, the BPL families who’ve had to still pay fees for their school kids even though the government had given an order that fees for at least 3 months be scrapped, the loss of livelihoods of many due to the pandemic and so on. These are but a few of the issues affecting this marginalized group of our society. Why can’t our representatives speak up for the people instead of grabbing air time to engage in mudslinging against each other?
The people are fed up of this charade and want answers and solutions to their problems. After all, this is what the legislators were elected for or have they conveniently forgotten this fact?
Yours etc.,
Angela Lyngdoh
Shillong -14
Overcharging bus/taxi fares
Editor,
Apropos the news report titled, “Take action against fare overcharge: DC to DTO” (ST December 16, 2020), I would like to thank the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills for taking the initiative to direct the District Transport Officer, East Khasi Hills to address the menace of illegal over-charging of fares by the local public transport providers, particularly the local taxis and the JNNURM buses. Unfortunately, I do not see any concrete action taken by DTO till date to address this problem, for I still see taxis and buses charging at their whims and fancy. The JNUURM red buses continue to take in as many passengers as they can, squeezing passengers to the point of suffocation, yet they still overcharge passengers, though it has exceeded the permitted passenger intake capacity laid out by the government. This itself poses a health hazard. Furthermore, the local taxis too charge exorbitant rates such as Rs 30 per person for a one way trip from Motphran to Laitumkhrah Police Point, when pre lockdown the rate was Rs. 10. The same is true everywhere else. In the morning and evening hours when traffic police are no longer on duty, the local taxis would cramp up to 5 passengers in the cabs and still charge double or triple the rates. This public hazard can be seen all along the main bus and taxi routes of Shillong city. Either the DTO officials are deaf and blind or outright irresponsible to arrest this issue. DTO East Khasi Hills better start to address this problem with proper directives in all the local newspapers and directives to taxi associations within 14 days, else I will be filing a PIL before the Hon’ble High Court of Meghalaya against the errant officers.
Yours etc.,
Jeremiah S,
Via email
Poor Work Culture
Editor,
Visiting the Laitumkhrah Post Office has always been a terrible experience for me. Every time I go to the PO to either withdraw cash or update my passbook, I’m told that “there is no link.” The work culture at the post office is extremely poor as is evident from the frustrated faces of the customers who line up to get something done. One has to wait for almost half an hour just to get his or her passbook updated. There is so much chaos inside the office and no one seems to care. Yesterday, I got another shock as this time, I saw a girl who barely looked like an adult, sitting at the counter and it was obvious that she has no experience and knowledge about the working of the system. On most issues requiring clarification they tell the customers to visit the main Post Office (GPO). What then are they working for? What is their job?
I request the concerned authorities to take action in this regard as the current work culture of the Shillong post office is pathetic and inconvenient to the customers who have to stand in long queues. There is absolutely no practice of social distancing either which makes it such a risky place. It is high time for the Government to intervene and bring about some kind of normalcy to the office.
Yours etc.,
Pratham K Sharma
Shillong -3