Editor,
When people in high places express disgust towards righteousness, social degeneration sets in. The Friday special article — “The Newspaper as a Public Square” (ST Sept 2, 2022) by the senior journalist Patricia Mukhim is a pointer to the fact. While it received high appreciation from many right-thinking citizens, it reminds me of a famous quote by Albert Einstein — “If I were to remain silent, I’d be guilty of complicity.” Such thoughtful words only come from a person with a high level of integrity.
Usually, people choose to keep silent and for that society has to pay a heavy price. The recent “alleged corruption” in high places of the police department has made the public very apprehensive. It was seemingly happening for years together. Are the police not expected to be more honest? Have they not vowed to deal with the “dishonest” with all sincerity? The episode has sent out the wrong message to the lower hierarchy of the enforcement department, apart from the public.
What if the media were not pro-active and upright in the past, as aptly pointed out in the article by Ms Mukhim? The jaws of corruption would have certainly further gnawed at the very fabric of the governance resulting in the public being at the receiving end. So many underhand dealings were checked due to the vigilant media. So, the fear of upstanding media inarguably ensures a healthy democracy. Of course, the media should unflinchingly play a very constructive role in political governance and so on. Yes, even our kids might go astray and indulge in wrong things if we (parents) remain silent and do not keep a “watchful eye” on them!
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong-2
Sorry state of College of Nursing NEIGRIHMS
Editor,
The College of Nursing-NEIGRIHMS was established in 2006 with the aim of providing competent nurses who can be an absolute boon to any healthcare regime they are a part of. Initially during the budding years of the college it was the selfless and untiring efforts of Ms Catherine E Myrthong and the invaluable contribution of her team which have brought to the College to what it is today. We have had 12 batches of Graduate nurses (BSc.) till date and all of them are well placed in almost every State and premier Institutes of the country and abroad. The nurses from the College of Nursing-NEIGRIHMS have received accolades and certification from every place they have been to, all of which is augmented by the team of teachers led by Ms Catherine E Myrthong.
Directors of NEIGRIHMS that have been there over the course of these past two decades have expressed their appreciation to Ms Myrthong’s efforts and her singular contribution to the College and the Institute as a whole.
Sadly the events that have unfolded lately have brought gloom to the once bright and prosperous College of Nursing-NEIGRIHMS. Firstly the post of Principal which was advertised as per Advertisement No.NEIGR-E.II/10/2019 dated 26/02/2022 to 04/03/2022 stating that the upper age limit of the applicants should be 45 years (relaxable by 5 years for government servants in accordance with the instruction of Central Govt.) is a clear ploy of eliminating Ms Myrthong who is a contender for the post. When it comes to other premier institutes the upper age limit for the Professor-cum Principal post is 55 years (Relaxation in age will be as per Government of India Rules). The Institutes cited include:
AIIMS-Bhopal(no.ADMIN/AIIMS/Bhopal/2020/Nursing/2021/4592)dated 13/09/2021.
AIIMS-Rishikesh (Advertisement no. 2021/019) dated 25 March 20212021.
AIIMS-Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh (F.No/AIIMS/MG/Admin/Recruitment/03/Nursing College/Faculty2021-22/451) dated 27/05/2022.
AIIMS-RAIPUR (No. Admin/Rec./Regular/Nursing/2021/AIIMS.RPR/210) dated 19/04/2021.
These are few of the advertisements amongst others. The variation of the upper age limit with regard to that of various AIIMS and that of NEIGRIHMS has truly shown that the recruitment rules at NEIGRIHMS (particularly the Nursing Faculty) is absolutely flawed and tailored according to the whims of the higher-ups of the Institute. Also, the Nursing faculties have been serving the college/institute since its inception but their post is stagnated instead of being upgraded on promotional basis.
It is definitely a sorry state that Ms Catherine E Myrthong a well experienced person with the necessary qualifications is denied her right to contest for the post of Principal by citing that she has crossed the age limit and hence ineligible (when elsewhere she would have been eligible). This is such a prejudiced act from the Administrators of NEIGRIHMS who were responsible for framing the advertisement to the post of Nursing Faculty. It is also a spit on the face of those that framed the introductory page on the NEIGRIHMS website citing that the Institute is at par with Institutes like AIIMS, PGIMER (they should have verified what is being done in other premier Institutes).
Whatever is the case the previously outgoing 12 batches of BSc Nursing-NEIGRIHMS and the 2 batches of MSc Nursing-NEIGRIHMS , will never forget you Ms Catherine E Myrthong for the sacrifices she has made and for the joy she has shared with the students. Whatever we are today and will be is because she has empowered us to chase our dreams bravely.
Yours etc,
The Alumni, College of Nursing NEIGRIHMS,
Name withheld on request
Disabilities Act not implemented in letter and spirit
Editor,
The news report that 1842 cases have been disposed off in four days by the Supreme Court is welcome step. Even before taking charge as Chief Justice of India the present CJI had expressed his concerns about the pending cases and stated that the judicial system is unable to deliver timely justice because of the huge backlog of cases and that a mechanism was required to mandatorily impose costs on litigants bringing frivolous cases to courts. Though the views of CJI may appear genuine but being an activist with disabilities I want to note my objection on the statement of CJI and what constitutes frivolous litigation. In the garb of frivolous litigation the disabled are being squeezed mercilessly. For them justice is a distant dream hence the CJI’s advice resembles a sermon from a religious book. How the disabled are being dealt with by the judiciary is a story to be told. So much so they have started losing faith in the judicial system of India.
It is to be noted that I am addressing this letter to the third CJI. I had earlier brought to the notice of the previous two CJIs that Acts passed by Parliament are not being implemented meticulously and I hereby quote that the first Disability Act was passed by Parliament in 1996; the second Act was passed in 2016 when there was pandemonium in the Parliament. This Bill was passed without any resistance from any party and Prime Minister, Modi even mentioned the passing of this Bill during the visit of US President to India. That shows the strength of this Bill turned Act. But both these Acts have not been implemented in true spirit which in turn goes against the spirit of the Constitution and against the various court decisions and against natural justice and against human rights.
I had written to the CJI to treat my representation as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) if it is permissible as per norms. Whether the large number of disabled can expect justice during the period of the present CJI is uncertain but something to look forward to. Let us hope for the best, otherwise those with disabilities will continue to remind the Supreme Court that they are being highly discriminated.
Yours etc.,
Yash Pal Ralhan
Jalandhar – 3