Editor,
It has become obvious now that NEHU is deliberately tending towards online mode of exams as the default system of conducting the external university examinations in colleges. Having being compelled to adopt this method by the pandemic and after having realised the convenience and immense benefits that such a method provides to it, the university now imposes this system on all colleges at the drop of a hat even when the pandemic has been downgraded to an endemic by the WHO.
There appear to be several factors that have encouraged this rather dubious approach to conducting exams in such a manner. And mind you we are talking about that level of exams that would redefine the lives and futures of thousands of students of the state of Meghalaya. Those who have graduated from our colleges in Meghalaya through online exams are already in danger of being sidelined by reputed educational institutions and public sector undertakings that are expressing doubts over the validity of the degrees earned through online exams and the integrity of students who have graduated through such exams. They are now stained with a mark that could have a detrimental impact on their lives.
The first factor that could be highlighted here is the convenience of conducting exams whereby the university places all the burden and responsibility of conducting the exams on colleges leaving them to decide on the platform and the manner in which the exams are to be conducted while it takes no responsibility to introduce a platform that it has designed in response to the need of the hour. Secondly, it no longer needs to print question papers at all, except one copy for its file, as it can simply send the PDF file of the question papers to the colleges which are then to be sent to the students through whatever means the colleges adopts to conduct the exams. Thirdly, there appears to be no need to pay teachers and staff for invigilation duties as they are thought to be conducting the exams from the comforts of their homes. Fourthly, by throwing the responsibility of deciding on who and how to correct the exam scripts on the colleges, the University does not have to trouble itself with the usual coding of scripts, recording of scripts, selecting of examiners, transporting of scripts to colleges and so on. And in the process, the university ends up profiting greatly in terms of money, time, energy and personnel. But more importantly, it no longer bears the responsibility of ensuring a smooth and fair exam while having the temerity to hold every college accountable if the exam does go wrong, in spite of the fact that the University has done nothing to ensure the validity and integrity of the exams. What is the use of such a university then?
There could be a hidden agenda behind all this. It is very much possible that the University would like to slowly cut all colleges loose and free itself from all the administrative hassle of managing so many colleges. And these pandemic induced strategies are but its clever and self-seeking ways of achieving this.
The sad fact remains that in the midst of all such machinations and orchestration it is the students who end up becoming unwitting victims, maimed and marred for life by such thoughtless acts.
We can only hope for better sense and wisdom to prevail and for normalcy to return. We cannot and should not stand on the side-lines and watch our children being made scapegoats at the altar of convenience.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
(A concerned Parent)
Via email
Hijab for piety, not enmity!
Editor,
It is not surprising that some women still favour wearing heavy veils though that may hinder her from becoming her best self. Everyone has his/her own kind of choices and preferences in life; we have no right to ridicule them. her or him. But, what is disgusting is that the group of schoolgirls involved in the hijab row of Karnataka have been incited by top leaders and celebrities. Are they not the same people who have clamoured to free women from the shackles of repressive subjugation? Then why the double standards? Not just that but women who have not worn any covering over their heads also came forward and provoked the guldlible crowd to jump into the pit of servitude. Sadly this case has been given so much coverage by the international media. They seemingly shifted their pitch from the “notion of liberation” to bondage! This is uncalled for.
While I do not subscribe to misleading opinions in favour of burka or against it, a few comments by the level-headed people caught my attention. A scholar from Lahore – Khalid Umar, who now lives in London, laments with frank earnestness by saying — “Staying in a beautiful country like India you are still fighting to wear what Muslim women in Islamic nations are trying to get rid of! How much more political can you get? When living abnormal & imposed life is conditioned as a normal one, a normal one surely seems like a terror! True is the saying that it is all about a perspective. For Islam, their perspective has become a talk & laughter of the world.” A similar concern is also shared by another outspoken lawyer from New Delhi — Ms. Subuhi Khan who is well-versed in the Holy Scripture of Islam. In her lecture a couple of days ago Ms. Khan remarks: “The first wife of Prophet Muhammad – Khadijah al-Kubra was a very pious businesswoman who freely interacted with both males and females; she never confined herself within the four walls of a household. There are several undesirable practices in our society that have brought a bad name to our culture. This has ultimately misled our impressionable youths as we have witnessed in the hijab controversy now.”
The above comments deeply touched my heart. They are a genuine voice concerning how women have been subjected to inhumane oppression and exploitation for ages which is itself against all holy books. Well, I will not go further but the sense of “rationality” and “piety” should go hand in hand in the 21st century. “Purity” of heart and feeling of “equality” alone help create a conducive environment to broaden our outlook. Of course, one should not stand against those who prefer to wear burkhas or practice their sacred customs in their personal life — that is an individual choice. But, in the public and academic spheres, each of us should be “accommodative” and considerate. Nothing should stand in one’s way of personality development. God will shower his blessings upon us if we learn to live and also let others live in peace and harmony. Hijabs are for piety, not for enmity!
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong
Need to protect our bio-resources
Editor,
The Environment Ministry’s proposed amendments to the Biological Diversity Act 2002 may lead to commercialisation of natural resources instead of their conservation and deprive people who depend on these resources of their rights. The Union Ministry of Environment had proposed amendments to the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 through the Biological Diversity Act (Amendment) Bill 2021. Diluting the original Act for exploiting natural resources has far reaching consequences.
The Act laid emphasis on conservation of biodiversity and recognition of rights of communities who are protectors of biodiversity. The amendment Bill, on the other hand, does not seem to give importance to these. As per the original Act, prior approval from the National Biodiversity Authority was required for accessing biological resources for certain categories of people and corporate bodies but as per the amendment, no company which is incorporated or registered in India does not need to take the approval of the National Biodiversity Authority. When organisations or researchers use indigenous biological resources for commercial purposes without permission, it leads to exploitation of bioresources. Attempts by foreign firms to obtain patents on indigenous products in India are examples for this.
Environmentalists point out that the amendment was cleared without adequate consultation and without seeking the public comments. Such hasty decisions taken without consulting people and experts will have far reaching consequences. The 2002 Act considers all offences against the environment criminal offences. The new Bill, on the other hand, proposes to reduce such offences against the environment to only civil offences. Considering the ill effects of the new Bill, the government must make appropriate changes in it so that our bio-resources are not damaged and people are not deprived of their rights.
Yours etc.,
Venu G.S.,
Kollam