Editor
The geopolitical conflict between Russia and Ukraine has once again ballooned into a full scale war with Kremlin strongman Vladimir Putin ordering attacks similar to a ‘shock and awe ‘operation while the west is pushing further economic sanctions against the top oligarch.
Putin, a former member of the Russian security services (KGB) , is trying to shape the battlefield of Europe according to his playbook. No doubt the aggression will cause human misery apart from causing needless deaths just when the world is recovering from the third wave of the pandemic.
Going back to history during the invasion of Afghanistan it did try to fight a rag tag army of holy warriors and the lessons are etched on the memories of the Russian military might which they are trying to change in a 21st century battle-space using cyber weaponry, information warfare, air power dominance and electro-magnetic pulse weapons.
Gas and oil are powerhouses for driving the Russian dream. The ramifications of such acts of war will create a dent on world history. To delve deeper on the mindset of Russia’s strategic and economic interests, Tim Marshall’s book Prisoners of Geography explains why Vladimir Putin is always interested in Crimea.
Yours etc.,
Christopher Gatphoh,
Shillong-10
The good news is stale
Editor,
Apropos of the letter, ‘Good news for the Environment’, by Venu G.S (ST Feb 25, 2022) I am sorry to write that the good news is 20 years old. Our high school children from Khasi, Jaintia and Garo Hills would annually attend Science Exhibitionss & Seminars, arranged by Government of Meghalaya. The topics discussed are Global Warming and Pollution and exhibits are low cost ones that warn of excessive luxuries and extravagant lifestyle being detrimental to the health of mother earth. The topper would proceed to Delhi for receiving the National Prize. Once a student of St Mary’s School did Meghalaya proud when she bagged the prize. She was invited by President Dr Abdul Kalam for dinner. It was heartening to see teachers escorting their students and most of these are now doctors and engineers in our state and outside.
The plastic menace was recognised way back in the year 2000. The Education Ministry then selected the theme, ‘Plastic: A menace to the world.’ Those days were devoid of Google and the seminar speeches were the students’ own concept assisted by teachers eagerly waiting to watch their wards deliver their speeches.
It all started with the sad fact that ‘plastic is non- biodegradable’. And worst, burning emits poisonous air and the remains still pollute the landfills. They were yet to learn then that fishes or all aquatic lives at the mouth of rivers were then choked. They suggested that the lowest microns be banned outright. So Laitumkhrah was the pioneer to ban plastic bags, followed by all markets in Shillong. But the enthusiasm was short-lived. Another suggestion was to use thicker plastic bags that were reusable. But old habits die hard and the last resort in that seminar was to go back to traditional cloth or jute bags. All these fell on deaf ears and we don’t seem to be worried about the environmental impact that plastics have on our environment.
In the US, green activists urged their government to impose huge taxes on plastic factories. Little did they know of the shady deal between government and corporate giants. Such is our callousness that we fail to protest that even when we buy a vehicle, the seats are all covered with plastics. We are heavily duped by tinseled items that hasten the climate change impacts. Rivers laden with plastic garbage empty into seas and oceans and suffocate marine lives and subsequently cause their death. Coca Cola has vowed to retrieve all their bottles but will others join? A whale in the Mediterranean was rescued by animal lovers when plastic choked its wind pipe. Even cows are choked and die after consuming plastics but we humans are consumed by greed and callousness. Let’s see if the plastic ban from July I this year really works.
Yours etc.,
W Passah
Nongkrem
The upright are never rewarded
Editor,
The “upright” coach of the Indian cricket team is indeed a “very honest” personality. Also he holds “immense respect” for those who have contributed much to the team ! And this is exactly the reason why he himself has admitted (“very very honestly”) that just because of his “immense respect” towards the contribution of Wriddhiman Saha, the former indeed clearly asked the latter to move on. In short its like saying, “Your services are no longer required in the national team!” This also means that those who hardly contribute, fail regularly and demand “less respect” can be asked to “continue in the team!”
No wonder why the greatest wicket keeper of the world in current times gets thrown out from the team in the most barbaric fashion while those that have failed regularly are getting promoted, retained and pampered shamelessly! The Indian cricket team and its management have not fallen from the sky after all ! They are part and parcel of this ungrateful, biased prejudiced society! So not only in the cricketing sector, rather in every sector of this Indian society, from the political arena down to government to offices the silent efficient workers/contributors have absolutely no value! Rather it is the era of empty vessels that make the most sound that are literally worshipped by all and sundry !
So get lost Wriddhiman and those unknown tireless, honest persons slogging silently in their professional spaces! And reward the utmost failures everywhere for their shrill, vocal rhetoric and relentless chest thumping! What a moral fall! What a warped sense of justice!
Yours etc.,
Kajal Chatterjee,
Kolkata
Is St Edmund’s College being privatized?
Editor,
Recently, St Edmund’s College had advertised for recruitment to the teaching posts in Biochemistry, Botany, Education, English, Commerce, Political Science and Sociology. The minimum qualifications required for filling up these post is UGC Regulation 2018, since the College is under Meghalaya Government Deficit Grant in Aid. However, as per the advertisement in the local dailies these vacancies were advertises as Private Sanctioned Post Teachers instead of government sanctioned posts. It appears that the College is in the process of privatisation which essentially means increasing reliance on private sources i.e. increase of tuition fees which will have a significant impact on students especially students from lower income families.
According to Article 29 (2) of the Indian Constitution, “No citizen shall be denied admission to any educational institution maintained by the state or receiving aid out of state funds on grounds only of religion, race, caste, language, or any of them”. However, the educational privatization or commercialization means that the hungry people living below poverty line (BPL) are again left to suffer in poverty. The College was established to provide equitable quality education and to serve the poor. Hence, it is expected to uphold its Vision and Mission.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email