Editor,
Firstly, I would like to thank Br. Solomon for his very informative article that examined and highlighted how the pandemic has affected the lives of children. Secondly, I would request him (being a reputed educator) or anyone else for that matter who can do so, to provide some solutions or strategies by which parents/ guardians/ care-givers can reduce the impact of the pandemic on the children. Most of us have never had to spend so much time with the children at home so the pandemic has been a learning curve for us as well. Some guidance or tips on how to keep the children focused and engaged will be greatly beneficial. While the resumption of offline classes is the best solution, in the absence of that availability we must think of ways in which we can keep children focused and physically and mentally healthy.
Yours etc.,
Mohona Sukumari, ‘
Via email
Kudos Naveen Patnaik!
Editor,
On the auspicious day of Christmas, 2021 the Home Ministry, most likely at the behest of the Union Home Minister Amit Shah, has inexplicably ordered to revoke the registration of the Missionaries of Charity due to the alleged ‘adverse inputs’ which implied that the Kolkata- headquartered organization ‘s license under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act for receiving donations from abroad would be halted forthwith. This hard-hearted measure of the saffron government could mean that the functions of Mother Teresa ‘s mission of compassion for the sick and the dying would be literally compromised!
However, close on the heels of such uncompromising announcement by the Modi dispensation, there was a silver lining of hope in store for the Missionaries of Charity in the noble form of Naveen Patnaik, Odisha’s Chief Minister where he earned nation-wide goodwill by declaring on the January 4, last that he can’t see the logical corollary of the Center in withholding donations in favour of the helpless victims, the sick and those on their last breath. Thus, Patnaik sanctioned Rs. 78.76 lakh from the Chief Minister ‘s Relief fund to meet the exigent needs of the Missionaries of Charity of Odisha. Additionally, to ensure that the said authorisation becomes result-oriented, Patnaik has directed all the District Collectors of Odisha to scrupulously take follow-up action that the deserving inmates accounting for 900 of incapacitated souls taking refuge in the thirteen institutions of the Missionaries in Odisha did not suffer for lack of care and nurturing .
In this context, Sr Stany Rose, the head of the sisters of Charity in Odisha has said, “We are indebted to the Odisha Chief Minister for his support, which is as material as it is moral. We never ask for money, but people and organizations do donate after seeing our welfare work for the helpless and the destitute.”
While taking into account the foregoing narrative, I am reminded of St Luke’s gospel ìndicated at 19:40 which delineates a triumphal entry of Jesus into the gate of Jerusalem, where the people in multitudes have sung aloud in praise of Jesus. The Pharisees, seeing such unprecedented joy of the masses, demanded of Jesus to stop such ground breaking excitement. And Jesus retorted, “If these people keep silent then the stones will cry out in praise.” No wonder, the Odisha Chief Minister has single- handedly dared to wink at the policy of the Modi Government. The nuanced humanitarian understanding of Naveen Patnaik has indubitably won public approbation across the board. Alas! I thought that such mission mode could have been initiated from a Christian state like Meghalaya!
Yours etc.,
Jerome K Diengdoh,
Via email
Delay in completion of Shillong-Sohra road?
Editor,
Through this letter, we would like to draw the attention of the State Government, the Public Works Department (Roads) and all concerned authorities about the delay in starting the work for improvement of the distressed road pavement of the Shillong – Sohra road from Umtyngngar to Mawsmai in Sohra under the Systematic Maintenance Programme of PWD (Roads).
The foundation stone for the project was laid on March 3, 2021 by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong. But nearly a has passed and sadly only some portion of the road has been laid with Semi-Dense Bituminous Macadam as per the specifications of the project. We could see that only some portions of the road at Mawjrong, Laitryngew and Umstew have been partially paved, that too not up to the expected standard.
The worst portion of the road from Umtyngngar to the spot where stone mining is going on has not been blacktopped. Further, from Mawjrong to Sohra Rim potholes have become a nightmare for commuters. Similar is the case with the portion of the road from Lad Iew Sohra to Pomsohmen and also from Lad Thanad at Saitsohpen to Mawsmai.
People commuting through Shillong – Sohra road including tourists are finding it hard to negotiate through the large potholes along the way. This may also lead to road accidents resulting in injuries and fatalities. We wonder if the reported amount of Rs 12 crore sanctioned for this road maintenance project was meant to be wasted. With monsoons arriving in a few months from now, the whole project would come to a standstill.
We request the authorities including the PWD (Roads) and the MLAs and MDCs of Sohra and Shella constituencies respectively to look into this matter and direct the contractors to execute the work on a war footing and also to ensure that good quality pavement through Semi Dense Bituminous Macadam as sanctioned under the project is laid for the benefit of the people, commuters and tourists.
At the same time, we would like to mention that any delay or faulty execution of this road maintenance project may compel us to take the matter to the appropriate court of law by way of Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
Yours etc.,
James K. Sawian & Bankhraw Kupar Lyngdoh
Residents of Sohra,
Via email Editor,
Reservation versus Competition
Editor,
A young agricultural student, Banrilang Pynrope has shaken the conscience of many like-minded people who till a few weeks back were unaware of the flawed state reservation policy that was prevailing. Let us understand the history in context of the damage reservation has done to this great nation while others have moved forward. It was in 1933 that the British PM Ramsey Macdonald introduced this “divide and rule policy” in the form of Communal Awards wherein selective positions were made available to Europeans, Indian Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, Hindus, Anglo -Indians etc. It was done purely to ‘reward’ and foment communal division. It is unfortunate that even after Independence we had to depend on this colonial system which has taken a toll on us.
The state of Meghalaya is a victim of this malady which is why though we have a number of enterprising, intelligent people yet they all fight for seats on the basis of reservation as tribals. The world is getting very competitive and everything is based on merit, skills, personality, aptitude, intellect and knowledge not on reservation. No corporate in the world or in India will give employment based on reservation. Hence I feel that this system should be done away with. This will allow our young people to explore and bring out their talents and skills in such competitions because they have it in them!
Yours etc..
Dominic Stadlin Wankhar
Via email