How low will Meghalaya sink?
Editor,
I wonder how many winced, clicked their tongues in horror or shock or shook their heads in emotional pain when reading the shameful low Meghalaya has attained in, ” Living standards in M’laya: Data” (ST August 23, 2023). The headline was so aptly printed in red symbolising for me the tears of blood of the people who are suffering! The state lows only seem to be increasing and the subterfuge our political leaders employ to distract us gullible public from ground truths has scored wonderfully! I say this because I do not hear the angry voices and dissent from the public!
Now let me juxtapose the letter to the editor by Samuel Swett, ” 10 billion dollar Jumla. (ST August 19, 2023) to get a deeper clarity and perspective on fantasy and truth! I couldn’t wind my brain around the economics of a 10 billion dollar economy promised by the CM. His letter educated me so precisely. I had no idea what ‘Jumla’ meant, but now I see the weight of its meaning.
And then on the same Sunday page I read the ‘ Jumla’ that our state ministers are ‘ low on education.’ No wonder the English TV serial, ” Yes Minister ” plays out in our state so surreptitiously!
In closing, a famous song during my childhood sung by the Kingston Trio comes to mind. It’s ”Tom Dooley” (Hang down your head, Tom Dooley) when reading about our elected and failed leaders in high offices.
Yours etc.,
Kevin Phillips
Shillong – 19
Why the delay in announcement of B.Ed Result by NEHU?
Editor,
This is to draw attention to the prolonged delay in announcing the B.Ed. Results the exams for which were held from July 3, 2023 (2021-23 session). The B.Ed. results are supposed to be declared in the first week of August every year but unfortunately the delay in publication of results this year has crossed all limits. Many students/candidates aspiring to become teachers are deprived of their opportunities to apply for many vacant posts that have already been advertised in different schools/institutions. Moreover, there is no notification from the University for the delay and many students are upset and depressed due to this long gap. This is a serious issue that needs immediate attention of the NEHU authorities for the welfare of the students concerned.
Yours etc.,
Concerned parents & students
Name withheld on request
Need for robust statistics!
Editor,
The editorial “Fall in Meghalaya’s living standard” (ST August 21, 2023 made interesting reading. NASA’s Global Gridded Relative Deprivation Index (GRDI) uses a Statistical method called Principal Component Analysis (PCA) that combines six indicators of deprivation into a single index value. This statistical method says that India is a country with high levels of deprivation and inequality with a Global Gridded Relative Deprivation Index (GRDI) value of 64.4. This means that India has high levels of child dependency, low income, low life expectancy, low education, low nighttime lights, and low vegetation health compared to other regions in the world. India also has large regional disparities in deprivation levels, with some states having GRDI values above 70 and others below 40. The GRDI reveals the spatial patterns and variations of poverty across India, and how they relate to other factors such as economic development, social welfare, environmental quality, or political stability.
If one thoroughly studies the report, it will be observed that in the case of the Himalayan region no specific value (GRDI Value) has been assigned for Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. GRDI says that Assam is one of the most deprived States in India, with a GRDI value of 77.5 followed by Mizoram with a GRDI value of 75 while Meghalaya is one of the most deprived states in India with GRDI value of 79.8. This means that Meghalaya has high levels of child dependency, low income, low life expectancy, low education, low nighttime lights, and low vegetation health compared to other regions in the world . Meghalaya faces significant challenges in access to essential services, income levels, and other well-being metrics, despite its abundant natural resources and scenic beauty. However, the GRDI is not the only indicator of poverty or well-being, and it may not reflect all aspects of Meghalaya’s situation or potential. Meghalaya may have other strengths or opportunities that are not captured by the GRDI, such as its cultural diversity, social cohesion, environmental conservation, or renewable energy potential. Therefore, the GRDI should be used with caution and complemented with other sources of information and analysis when assessing Meghalaya’s development needs or prospects.
The reliability of the GRDI depends on the quality and availability of the data sources used to calculate it, such as household surveys, census data, satellite imagery, and other indicators. Remember that the GRDI uses a statistical method called principal component analysis to combine different indicators into a single index value. This method has some limitations, such as being sensitive to outliers, assumptions about data distribution, and interpretation of results. The GRDI is not directly related to the reliability of the electric grid, which is a measure of how often and how well the power system delivers electricity to consumers. However, the GRDI may reflect some aspects of the access and quality of electricity services in different regions, as well as the potential for integrating renewable energy sources into the grid. One should also keep in mind that the GRDI is not a definitive measure of poverty or well-being, but rather a relative and multi-dimensional indicator that may not capture all aspects of deprivation or inequality. The GRDI may also change over time due to changes in data availability, quality, or methodology.
The poverty ratio in India is 25.01 according to NITI Aayog while the corresponding ratio for the Himalayan States are Sikkim 3.8, Himachal Pradesh 7.6, Mizoram 9.8, Jammu and Kashmir 12.6, Tripura 16.7, Uttarakhand 17.7, Manipur 17.9, Arunachal Pradesh 24.3, Nagaland 25.2, Assam 32.7 and Meghalaya 32.7. Hence, I agree with the editorial that “Meghalaya should focus on rural poverty” which is growing at an alarming rate judging from migration of persons from rural to urban Meghalaya, especially to East Khasi Hills, in search of employment.
Yours etc.,
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email
False claims
Editor,
With reference to the letter, “Communal Incident on Independence day” (ST August 21, 2023) I, Amit Chokhani resident of Shillong hereby clarify that I was neither involved nor present in any such event organized by ‘Marwadi Association’ at Keating road on Independence Day as mentioned in the letter.
Yours etc.,
Amit Chokhani
Shillong