Editor,
I read with pride and joy your OP-ed piece on the selection of Kong Rebecca Suchiang as the new Chief Secretary of Meghalaya (Oct. 1, 2021). I very much agree with the sentiments expressed in your piece and also in the letter to the editor from Glenn Kharkongor on the very same subject (Oct. 2, 2021). In my own experience around the world and supported by the research citation of Glenn Kharkongor, I am convinced that women must be given a transforming role to play in a world that has been afflicted for too long with patriarchal values which are increasingly marginalising our traditional values of caring, sharing and consensus building.
NESFAS and the people of Nongtraw, East Khasi Hills District were given an international Award by the Hallbars Sustainability Research Organisation of Sweden for contributing to the best Sustainability Book of 2021 which was published by FAO and which contains a study of the Indigenous Food Systems of Nongtraw. The Study highlights the strengths of the local indigenous food systems in Nongtraw as well as some of the challenges these local food systems are increasingly facing. The Report however specially brought out the unique practice of the Nongtraw Village Council where women are Executive Committee Members of the Durbar. The Study also reported the sense of wellbeing and inter-connectedness in the village because of good local governance.
With Ms Rebecca Suchiang and her strategic thoughts of focussing her attention on education, health and for meeting the “leaving no one behind” goal of the SDGs, I hope we will be able to develop transforming policies at the State, Autonomous District Council and Village levels to give women their inalienable right to be part of the governance of our Dorbar Shnong. Let us try to start this transformation and movement with our first tribal lady Chief Secretary.
Yours etc.,
Phrang Roy
Via email
On mockery of education
Editor,
I am new to Pine Mount School as my daughter joined this prestigious Institute only this year in June for her class eleven (11) in Humanities. Right from the start of the session in the month of June till date, classes in all subjects (Political Science, Economics, History, English and Sociology) go on very systematically and regularly from Monday to Friday and from 8.30 am to 1.50 pm through an online platform (google meet). I am happy with the way the teachers have taken their jobs seriously in conducting classes, class tests and assignments and I see that my daughter gets everything that a teacher could offer. I cannot speak for other classes but if what was written in the letters to the editor on September 30, 2021 is true since then I do not have the time to do a proper research or investigation, but as far as class 11 is concerned, it is not true. In fact I laud the teachers who have marvelously fulfilled their responsibilities.
Yours etc.,
Bashida Massar,
Via email
Basic necessity at stake
Editor,
The residents of Laitumkhrah area are faced with severe problems due to unreliable drinking water supply since the last two months. It is expected that the authorities concerned are well-aware that the supply of safe drinking water is a basic necessity. If so, then why is the supply of water stopped after almost every three days in a week and sadly the authorities seem to be clueless. If there is a technical problem in the main feeder line then the residents can always expect that the supply would be restored in the concerned water reservoirs by the municipal tankers. Otherwise the necessity of keeping those tankers is questionable. It may be recalled that in September 2021 there was a stoppage of water for long nine days and on an average the water taps suffer a drought these days for 3 to 4 days at a stretch every week which has almost become a regular feature. Even if water comes, which is one time a day, it only lasts for 20 to 25 minutes. Thus on behalf of all the residents of the locality I appeal to the concerned authorities to kindly look into the matter and find a solution in whatever way possible and restore regular supply of safe drinking water at the earliest.
Yours etc.,
B.Dhar
Shillong- 3
NEHU fails its students
Editor,
The students of North Eastern Hill University, Shillong have to face the odds of not being able to submit their applications to universities abroad and even within India for pursuing doctoral studies and other higher educational courses. Most of the American and European universities have completed their round one deadline for submission of applications. Meanwhile, here in NEHU, post graduate students are still awaiting to receive their registration card, provisional degree certificate, academic transcripts, etc. Even to apply for these certificates one has to download the form and submit it physically at the concerned department. All these could have been done away with, if arrangements for online submission were made available that would have rendered the process as more efficient and time-bound. Being a Central University of the State it has the potential to improve upon its IT infrastructure and it would not be wrong for the students to at least expect better service delivery. The concerns of the aggrieved students need to be addressed by the new Vice Chancellor. NEHU should improve both its administrative and academic wings and introduce innovative means of working and using technology to speed up various processes related to students’ welfare.
Yours etc.,
Earningstone R Sangma,
Via email