By Avner Pariat
I believe it is time to be clear about what sort of Future we want. There is a very palpable fog of confusion about this and for the purpose of this article I will simplify it further by asking the question: What sort of Future does Conrad Inc imagine for the state? Further we can ask: Is this Future about promoting the Public Good or is it about Private/Individual Interests? In order to understand this pertinent question, let us look at it from the perspective of three crucial sectors – Transportation, Healthcare and Education.
Transportation
In our car-centric world, it’s easy to overlook the many advantages that buses offer as a mode of transportation. While cars provide convenience and personal space, buses shine in several crucial aspects that make them a superior choice in many situations:
1. Environmental Friendliness:
A single bus can carry dozens of passengers, significantly reducing the number of vehicles on the road and cutting down on emissions. This contributes to cleaner air and a reduced carbon footprint, addressing the growing concerns of climate change and air pollution. As cities strive to become more sustainable, Public Transportation will play a crucial role in achieving these goals.
2. Cost-Efficiency:
Owning and maintaining a car can be expensive, with costs ranging from fuel and insurance to maintenance and parking fees. Additionally, taxis are unregulated and can be exploitative. A student from Malki studying in IHM, Mawdiangdiang, will end up having to spend the following every single day.
From Malki Point to Police Point, Laitumkhrah – Rs 30. From Police Point to NEEPCO (all downhill!) – Rs 30. From NEEPCO to Nongmynsong – Rs 50! From Nongmynsong to IHM – Rs 50
Hence, to pay Rs 320 per day (Malki to IHM and back) is not possible for most daily wage earners. This accounts for approx. Rs 9000 per month! Hence the imperative for a Public Transportation system which is professionally run and managed.
3. Reduced Traffic Congestion:
Buses help alleviate traffic congestion by reducing the number of cars on the road. When more people opt for buses, there are fewer vehicles jostling for limited road space, leading to smoother traffic flow and reduced travel times for everyone. This makes bus transportation a practical solution for cities grappling with traffic gridlock.
The Lies:
There have always been numerous crappy excuses regarding why Public Transportation cannot be implemented. None of them hold water. Excuses such as Shillong having a narrow hilly terrain (Japan and Italy have good public transportation and they are often times hillier and narrower) or that it is the people who won’t use the services (not true because the majority of people I have interacted with want cheaper travel options) are all symptomatic of SPINELESS leadership. The only reason why Public Transportation has been killed off in Meghalaya is because it conflicts with the PRIVATE INTERESTS of the MLAs and Ministers. Do you think the political leadership want busses to succeed? Then who will buy Metbah’s cars? Who will buy Pala’s Toyotas? Who will buy Renikton’s Fords? Most of all, it is the banks who are to be blamed. I might want a cheap loan for a business but I will never get it. Instead, they will offer me a cheap car loan which will continue to perpetuate the current situation. Citizens have to understand and accept how invaluable Public Transportation is. Then they must band together to fight for it. If the government is serious about alleviating traffic jams, they ought to look into Public Transportation seriously in addition to hiring real experts like IIT Delhi who have a specialised Traffic Studies department called the TRIP centre (https://tripc.iitd.ac.in/).
KPMG, E&Y, Delloitte are not technical experts, they’re management consultants. And no! Police Department cannot solve traffic jams because it is not their job to study them. So, the MDA 2 should save the public time, anxiety and resources and hire the real experts and then, finally, Conrad Inc needs to grow a spine and to implement what they recommend!
Healthcare
In the ongoing debate between government hospitals and private hospitals, there are compelling arguments to be made in favour of the former. While private healthcare facilities have their merits, government hospitals offer unique advantages that make them a crucial component of any healthcare system.
1. Accessibility and Affordability:
Government hospitals prioritize accessibility for all citizens, regardless of their socio-economic background. They offer healthcare services at subsidized rates or even for free, ensuring that even the most vulnerable individuals can access essential medical care. In contrast, private hospitals may prioritize profit, potentially making healthcare prohibitively expensive for many.
2. Equitable Distribution:
Government hospitals help bridge the urban-rural healthcare divide, ensuring that people in remote areas receive the same quality of care as those in urban centers. Private hospitals often cluster in cities, leaving rural populations underserved.
3. Reduced Profit Motive:
Government hospitals are not driven by profit, allowing them to focus on patient care rather than financial gains. This can lead to a more patient-centric approach, where decisions prioritize the well-being of patients over financial interests. In private hospitals, profit motives may influence treatment choices and pricing.
4. Public Accountability:
Government hospitals are accountable to the public, with transparency in their operations and decision-making processes. This accountability helps maintain high standards of care and reduces the likelihood of unethical practices. Private hospitals, while subject to regulations, may have less transparency and accountability.
I am aware of the idealistic assumptions I have made above with regards to Public Healthcare facilities. Most are bad and ailing, they are not accessible, they are not equitable and many healthcare professionals working within them actively engage in profiteering day-in and day-out. But here again, I wish to remind the readers that these flaws are ours to correct. On April 21 of this year, I had a clavicle fracture on account of an accident at Keatinge Road. Despite being just 2 minutes away from Civil Hospital, I could not bring myself to enter that facility because of the bad experiences I have endured in the past. I opted to go (in that painful state) to NEIGRIHMS instead. I did not go to Woodland nor Nazareth nor Bethany because I did not want to spend a lot of money on such a simple injury. It was that night that I said out loud – Thank god for NEIGRIHMS! Yes, one has to wait in line. Yes, the service is not great. Yes, the rooms are small. But we can correct these flaws. It belongs to us and we must speak out to improve it and other public facilities as well.
Nazareth, Woodland, Bethany do not belong to the people. They have their own niche but it must be a challenge for Ampareen Lyngdoh (Health Minister) to improve Civil Hospital to the level that she and other VIPs would willingly admit themselves there instead of running off to hospitals outside at the first hint of a flu. They have the authority to bring up the standards and to halt the reckless profiteering that is destroying our public healthcare.
Public Education Must Excel Over Private Schools
Government schools are the oldest institutions of learning in Meghalaya yet their fortunes are not as glorious nor as lustrous as their private counterparts. Sure, there are notable examples. Pine Mount, Public School, Meghalaya Police Public School are the ones that come to mind. But why isn’t this same level of excellence reflected in Government Girls, Jail Road nor Government Boys, Lumdiengjri? Is it because of the boards they follow? The first three are ICSE schools, the other two are MBOSE. Is it because of management? Is it because of fund allocation? What is it? No one seems to know. Or rather – no one seems to care. Public schools – except if they’re ICSE – are consigned to the bin. This has allowed numerous private players to see an opportunity and swoop in for themselves.
The Catholic Mission, The Protestant schools, many former educationalists and one or two coal barons have all opened their own schools because of the failures of the Public School system. However, no matter how hard they try, they will never be able to do the type of job that a State Government ought to be doing.
1. Equal Access to Quality Education
Government schools cater to a diverse range of students, including those with special needs, ensuring that education is not just for the privileged few. Private schools, on the other hand, often charge hefty tuition fees. This socio-economic disparity undermines the principle of equal access to education, which is a cornerstone of a democratic society.
2. Focus on Education, Not Profit
Government schools are primarily focused on providing quality education rather than generating profits. Private schools, while often delivering high-quality education, are businesses that must generate revenue to sustain themselves. This can sometimes lead to prioritizing financial considerations over educational ones, potentially compromising the quality of education.
The provision of accessible, high-quality education to all children, regardless of their socio-economic status, is not just a moral imperative but also a cornerstone of a democratic and equitable society. This very fact alone must compel Mr Rakkam Sangma (Education Minister) and others to address the serious issues facing Public Education in Meghalaya. This means bold overhaul of the MBOSE system. Simply setting up an Education Commission will mean nothing for our State’s future. Rather than PhD holders and former bureaucrats, it would be better to bring in experienced practitioners and radical creatives who can envision something new.
These are just three sectors that I feel must never be given up on by any government. We cannot afford to let our people down in that way. Private interests can be promoted in other fields but for Education, Healthcare and Transportation, Government options must be King!