Generations destroyed by substance addiction
Editor,
Addiction to narcotic substance like drug, marijuana or even alcohol, nicotine continue to cause havoc in our society. Physicians describe drug addiction as a disease (substance use disorder) whereby a person’s brain or behavior changes and he or she becomes unable to control the use of the substance despite the harm it causes. Because of historical and cultural traditions, geography, underdevelopment etc., use of narcotic substances like opium, cannabis, nicotine etc. has been fairly common in the populations of northeastern India. Four of the north-eastern states share international boundary with Myanmar which is one of the most prolific opium producing countries in the world. It ensures endless supply of opium and its newer itineration heroin for consumption by the populace and also for transit to other parts of the country. It need not be mentioned how illicit supply and consumptions of drugs has increased in recent times throughout the region including our State, Meghalaya. Since young people are most vulnerable, drug abuse has the potential to paralyze a society by maiming the most productive section of the society. We all are witness to or have heard of cases whereby families were destroyed by this menace.
Recently, I had been to the southern part of Mizoram for my field work and could realize firsthand the extent of the problem the state is grappling with. No doubt, Mizoram is a beautiful state with charming people. The tranquil environment and peaceful law and order situation makes this a perfect oasis in the “troubled” north east. However, as I witnessed, the monster of drug abuse taking a heavy toll on the state. In spite of all the efforts Government is putting in through various programmes (Mizoram has more street signage urging people to avoid drug use and making the state drug free and also practice safe sex than any other Indian states I have been to), rampant abuse of substance is very evident especially in the part of the state I visited. I have encountered many people on the roadside, in the market or in village households who are addicted to drugs or alcohol. These are areas with poor road connectivity, where agriculture productivity is low and there are not many job or business opportunities either. It pains one to see how a generation of young people are being wasted, who could have immensely contributed to their societies in productive ways. This is in stark contrast to numerous young bright Mizos shining in many facets of professional life. The young chap we hired as a field guide for few days was smart and active, but was a chain smoker and alcohol addict. In all probability, he must have spent most of the earnings funding his addictions. Throughout the road, you will be hard pressed to find a commercial vehicle driver or biker who does not have a cigarette in his mouth! While returning to Aizawl, it was late evening and we decided to put up in a road side hotel. The young boy in the reception counter was high on substance and could not even show us the rooms for check in. Dejected, we decided to hunt for another hotel.
I am not sure how things have gone down to this level and how to overcome this problem. I am not competent to suggest any solutions but strongly feel that the police or administrations cannot fight this alone. Simply driving against and seizing these contrabands is not sufficient. As long as there is demand for these substances, they will be available some way or the other. Possibly what is needed is much more extensive vigilance starting from the ground up. It is very important to make children and young people aware about the ill health and societal effects of substance abuse. It should be a part of the school curriculum or any informal school programmes. Civil society organizations and village/church elders can potentially play a vital role in combating this menace. If we all don’t realize the urgency of the situation now, I fear a bleak future awaits us.
Yours etc.,
Dr. Uttam Saikia,
(Zoological Survey of India),
Via email
NEHU puts pressure on smaller colleges
Editor,
In a concerning revelation, we uncover a pervasive issue that has long been plaguing the world of education. It’s a story of how North-Eastern Hill University’s (NEHU) inspection teams, responsible for granting affiliations to libraries, are pushing smaller educational institutions to the brink. The crux of the problem lies in the inspections, where libraries are scrutinized for automation. If they’re found lacking in automation, some inspection team members advocate for library automation, but it’s what happens next that’s truly shocking.
The issue is particularly pronounced for smaller colleges like ours, which are already struggling with limited financial resources. The insurmountable cost of full-scale library automation is pushing us to the brink. It’s not just our college; other libraries affiliated with NEHU are facing similar hardships.
The crux of the problem is that certain inspection team members appear to have dubious ties with various vendors, particularly from Guwahati and Kolkata. These vendors, handpicked by the inspectors, offer seemingly “free” software solutions but burden the colleges with hefty hidden expenses. After providing the software contact details, colleges are required to pay a substantial amount ranging from 40,000 to 50,000 rupees for the software and training. In addition to the software, the vendors aggressively market cloud space services, which colleges are obliged to pay for annually. This places a crippling financial burden on smaller institutions.
The unfortunate reality is that some of these inspection team members appear to be driven by personal financial gains. Their affiliations with vendors, and the subsequent commissions they receive, overshadow the interests of the smaller libraries they are meant to support. This unethical nexus is undermining the very essence of education.
In light of these unethical practices, we urgently call upon NEHU to address this issue with the utmost seriousness. These unscrupulous practices not only jeopardize the financial health of smaller colleges but also tarnish the reputation and integrity of NEHU itself. This is a betrayal of trust, and it’s high time for NEHU to stand up for ethics, integrity, and transparency.
NEHU must take immediate action to rectify this grave injustice. Inspection team members should be selected based on their integrity, dedication to education, and commitment to fairness. They should not be allowed to exploit their positions for personal gain. The university should take strict action against those who have abused their authority and affiliations with vendors to the detriment of smaller colleges.
For years, these practices have continued, with many smaller colleges silenced by fear or lack of resources to challenge the status quo. Through this medium, we seek to convey a message to the concerned authorities. NEHU’s reputation as a beacon of education and integrity is on the line, and immediate corrective measures are imperative.
The alleged involvement of NEHU’s inspection team members in a profit-driven scheme is not just a breach of trust, but an affront to education itself. It is essential for NEHU to investigate and put an end to these unethical practices. Smaller colleges should be able to focus on their primary mission: providing knowledge to library users without being burdened by an unjust financial strain. It’s time for NEHU to live up to its legacy of integrity, ethics, and the preservation of educational sanctity. The future of education depends on it.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
Via email