Editor,
Recent events in Manipur have been horrifying enough to keep us sleepless at night. It is hard to stomach further news of depravities and brutalities, like rapes, beheadings, and torture. The most recent event of the Kuki women being publicly humiliated and then gang-raped, leaves one speechless with horror. To call this violence identity politics is to sanitize it, missing the harsh reality that it is, in fact, a barbaric breach of human rights.
For New Delhi to hit back at the EU, for its parliamentary resolution against violence in Manipur, proves how unethical and outdated BJP style anti-westernism and anti-colonialism have become. Given Manipur’s devastating breaches of human rights, anybody in the world has the right to protest these violations. This includes Britain, India’s former colonizer. The west too has its barbarism against women — but for the most part, it is not identity based. Besides, the west has, in its own history, fought hard for democracy and basic human rights. So it has every right to protest this outrage in Manipur. Quite as India has the right to protest western evils, like the 2020 murder of George Floyd.
Indian women and men (especially non-ideological Hindus) should hold a day of silence and mourning in solidarity with these poor sufferers in Manipur. Even if some of the Kuki people are refugees from Myanmar — so what? The refugee deserves our compassion and refuge — not abuse, torture, rape, or violence.
How will these women recover from their trauma? Will they ever be able to return to normal life? I hope their families and communities support them in their hour of need.
Like Nero fiddling while Rome burnt, Mr. Modi kept silent all these weeks. Is this because the Meiti people are Hindus while the Kukis are Christians? Finally he has spoken. But to many of us, it seems like it is too little, too late.
Yours etc.,
Deepa Majumdar,
Via email
NEHU’s notification on implementation of NEP2020 in UG, wrong
Editor,
The notification issued by Debasish Chowdhury, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), College Development Council, vide letter no CDC/NEP2020/2022-1578, dated July 12, 2023 to the principals of all the affiliated colleges is wrong and grossly misleading. The Academic Council (AC) of NEHU, the highest authority of the University on academic matters, in its 110th meeting never decided to implement the NEP2020 in UG from the current academic year (2023-24). On the contrary, it was resolved in the meeting that at the most, it can be implemented from 2024-25. I think the Principal’s Council, the State Government, the MCTA, the student’s bodies, the parents and society at large should take to task the OSD for spreading lies and bringing bad name to the AC and the University and playing with the future of students of Meghalaya and others.
The members of AC, particularly representing the colleges and the principals and their representatives, have argued in the 110th meeting held on 19th of May 2023 that the colleges were not prepared to implement the NEP 2020 from the current academic year since the process of issuing of prospectus and admission process based on existing system was almost complete in most of the colleges and they required more time to implement the new system. Understanding the unpreparedness of colleges since the Ordinance and the Curriculum Structure on the new system was finalized only in this AC meeting, these arguments were supported by the majority of the members of the AC.
Apparently, the Vice Chancellor (VC)-Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla, who is the Chairman of the Council, wanted to implement the NEP 2020 from this academic session in spite of the expressed inability of the colleges to do so and wanted to bulldoze the Council which was vehemently opposed by the members of the Council. I was present in that meeting and was the OSD,CDC. It was clearly understood and settled in the meeting that at the most the NEP 2020 for UG will be implemented from 2024-25. Moreover, this stand was in line with the stand of the State Government which has the administrative and regulatory authority over colleges. NEHU being an affiliating University only regulates academic matters after the approval by its AC and the Executive Council. If the new NEP2020 syllabus is forcefully implemented from 2023, for students and parents, it will be akin to purchasing tickets to watch Barbie or Oppenheimer but instead shown an unreleased movie.
I am happy to see that the MCTA and NEHU Student’s Union have opposed this move of the University and I am sure very soon the NEHU Teacher’s Association and the Meghalaya Tribal Teachers’ Association (MeTTA-NEHU) will also come out to oppose this arbitrary action of the OSD and the Vice Chancellor in the larger interest of the students. Indeed, the current Vice Chancellor is fast accumulating wrongdoings in just two years of his tenure and has attempted to bulldoze his decisions ignoring the set rules and procedures. Recently the appointment of Controller of Examination was questionable. Moreover, he has appointed a staff in his office and a cook for his residence, both brought from outside the State and appointed without any advertisement and selection committee, in spite of the presence of several staff at his disposal within the University and a regular cook for the VC’s residence. There are many more and the latest being the ongoing recruitments of faculty in the University where several anomalies have been reported from various departments. The most glaring being the recruitment to the post of Professor in the Department of Zoology under the School of Life Sciences. A candidate has been shortlisted and interviewed who was not eligible to be called for the interview. He is a non-teaching staff of NEHU with no teaching experience and no experience of guiding PhD students and yet he has been interviewed. Apparently, it is in connivance of the Head of the Department of Zoology, The Dean, School of Life Sciences and the IQAC Director, who are all members of the Screening Committee with the knowledge of the VC. If such unqualified candidates are selected, it will degrade the sanctity of the post of Professor and seriously compromise the teaching-learning and research activities of the department and the University as a whole. This is just one case, you can guess how many more there are. Harping on these eligibility criteria and quality, many senior faculties of the University were not promoted as Professors from their due dates under the same VC in previous interviews. I hope the VC is not waiting for an all-out revolt by the University fraternity and the society at large against his dictatorial attitudes against the State of Meghalaya and its students.
Yours etc.
A responsible Member of the Academic Council, NEHU
(Name withheld on request)
Neglected roads: Call for a complete repair
Editor,
I am writing to draw attention to a concerning issue that is impacting the safety and well-being of citizens. The haphazard state of the roads from Umiam towards Nongsder which is 2 km long is causing many problems to commuters. While some roads have undergone partial repair during the G20 meet, a distressing number remain neglected and in dire need of attention. I urge the relevant authorities to address this situation promptly and carry out complete repairs to ensure the safety and convenience of all citizens.
Over the past few months, we have observed road repair projects initiated. While we appreciate the efforts to address the deteriorating roads, it is disheartening to see that only certain sections have been repaired while others have been left unattended. As a result, the condition of the unrepaired portions has worsened, creating hazardous conditions for motorists and pedestrians alike.
The road that leads to several State and Central offices has been in a state of incomplete disrepair for far too long. This dire situation has not only caused extensive damage to vehicles but may also led to accidents and injuries, posing a significant risk to public safety. Employees who use this road to reach their workplaces face daily challenges, putting a strain on their physical and mental well-being. Commuting on this damaged road results in increased travel time, stress, and fatigue, making it difficult for them to focus on their professional duties once they finally arrive at their offices.
Moreover, the neglect of these roads sends a discouraging message to residents and visitors alike. An infrastructure reflects the commitment of the government to the well-being of its citizens. By leaving these roads partially repaired and in disarray, we are compromising not only the aesthetics but also the reputation of our city.
Yours etc.,
Sarki
Shillong