Editor,
The new Covid strain is spreading at such a fast pace and the increased number of infections and deaths are increasing with every passing day. This has prompted many political and non-political groups to put forward the idea of a complete national lockdown to break the chain of transmission of the virus. This may be a good idea. However a total nationwide lockdown will again paralyze an already limping economy and the livelihoods of crores of marginalised and migrant workers will be in jeopardy.
If such a severe measure is needed then there should be assurances that the basic needs of people – food and shelter will be met by the government. Though vaccination has given a glimmer of hope the idea of massive vaccination drive is a hurdle as there is low stock of availability of the vaccine.
The opening of the economy after the first lockdown followed by elections and religious gatherings has triggered the second wave. Also, the government’s lack of planning in ensuring oxygen supplies, hospital beds and adequate ICU facilities has worsened the situation which has led to a huge rise in the death toll.
‘Stay home and stay safe’ is possible only if the livelihood concerns of the working class are addressed. Hence, the idea of a complete national lockdown must be imposed only when the issues of daily labourers are addressed and looked after. Stay Strong India!
Yours etc.,
Chanmiki Ezra Laloo
Via email
Reading – A declining habit among students
Editor,
Apropos the letter by Salil Gewali under the heading “Open the gateway to knowledge” (ST May 5, 2021), I would like to thank the writer for highlighting the mental aspects of the student community during the Covid-19 lockdown. I personally feel it is a serious concern about which not only the state but the central government should pay attention to. The lockdown has resulted in students being isolated at home away from libraries and away from books. This situation compounds the already declining reading habit among students. In a situation of forced closure of schools, colleges and universities students now lack physical access to print resources. Hence, Government must ensure that the students are not “deprived” of academic textbooks by putting restrictions on book stalls. It would be natural to expect people to have read more during the period of lockdown. Global Web Index Coronavirus Research of April 2020 revealed that 33 % of people worldwide read more books while at home during the crisis.
Reading is the gateway to success in education. It has personal values. It is a door to almost all knowledge and vocations. Failure to read paves the way for all kinds of catastrophes in the society. However, nowadays, reading is considered a pressure inducing activity rather than pleasurable one. This attitude towards reading has become a serious problem since lots of people do not realize the value of reading for scholarly reasons or form simple pleasure in their lives. Both young and old prefer to spend time with their smart phones, watching TV, gossiping and many other things instead of reading which can enhance their knowledge.
In Dallas, ‘Earning by Learning Programme’ is being implemented to encourage reading among school kids. Under this programme, the school pays two dollars for each book they read. To collect the cash incentive, students have to take a computerized quiz to prove they’ve read the book. This programme worked best with second graders in an under-achieving Dallas School.
Students who miss the chance to connect with books in their initial stages of life will find it difficult to obtain good reading habits in their later years. Let’s build the affection for books. Read books and stay intellectually active.
Yours etc.,
Dr. Omarlin Kyndiah
Associate Professor & HoD
Biochemistry, St. Edmund’s College
Via email
UDP- a Khasi -centric Party?
Editor,
I am indeed grateful to Christine Marak for bringing out in the open the above communal subject, which has been the offending reason in our party’s decline in Garo Hills region. I wonder, whether she (hopefully she is a lady) is a fake or real writer, since she did not mention her address, identity or any credentials to be able to reach out to her to articulate, or share more on the sensitive issue.
Her ignorance of everything she publicly expressed in public, could be the reason perhaps why she did not disclose her full identity. For her and all other ignoramuses, UDP is only a nomenclature, changed two times from the original APHLC to HPU, then to UDP, to accommodate the wishes of other parties who joined and amalgamated with us in course of time. The same goes with other parties too.
The APHLC was formed in 1960 during the Hill State Movement and our first President Capt WA Sangma dissolved it in 1976 at Mendipathar. After Capt Sangma left to join the Congress Party, Mr. Mody K Marak, became the second President of the APHLC which continued to remain till after the Supreme Court rejected in 1977, the said dissolution of the Party by a handful of leaders.
After the name of the APHLC was changed to HPU in 1986, Dr. Milton Sangma became the Party President, until he voluntarily retired. After Dr Milton’s retirement, HPU merged with the HSPDP led by Mr EK Mawlong in 1994. The new nomenclature was United Democratic Party (UDP) and Mr. Mawlong became its first President, where leaders from Khasi-Jaintia and Garo Hills continue to remain up to the present.
For Christina’s information, the Garos have a long history of being in Khasi Hills and Garo platoon fought under Tirot Singh, Raja of Nongkhlaw, to repel British soldiers. Garos are everywhere, particularly in West Khasi Hills, where they co-exist with the Khasis, having their own land, profession and even contesting in every election right from 1972, when Meghalaya was bifurcated from Assam.
In 2018, Martin Dango was elected MLA from Ranikor Constituency. In 2013, Dr. Jova Ch. Marak was UDP candidate from Rambrai-Jyrngam Constituency. There will be so in future too. With the above recollection, I now request Christine Marak to see reason, avoid parroting the malicious note of mischievous politicians who have their personal agenda. Instead help in fostering stronger relationship among us all.
Yours etc.,
B M Lanong,
Via email
Relief for differently-abled employees
Editor,
The step by the Tamil Nadu government to exempt its differently-abled employees from attending office following the surge in COVID 19 cases is really praiseworthy. The differently-abled employees need not come to the office till June 20. This is a big relief for them. The central government has already issued an order and directed state governments to exempt differently-abled people from attending the office. The pandemic and consequent lockdown have come with diverse challenges, from sourcing essential supplies to accessing medical treatment, exercising social distancing, public transportations, and much more. The need of the hour is that the state governments should facilitate their differently-abled staffers.
Yours etc.,
Amit Singh Kushwaha,
Satna (M.P.)