Editor,
Apropos of the news item under the heading ” Nepotism” in MPSC exam sparks outrage” ( ST – August 4, 2024), in this regard, I feel that MPSC’s refusal to disclose the marks obtained by successful candidates in the recently held MCS preliminary examination is arbitrary in light of the following court decisions:-
1. In September 2008 the Delhi High Court ruled that marks obtained by successful candidates in examinations conducted by a government body is a public document and should be revealed under the Right to Information Act. The Court ruling came after hearing a petition filed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) challenging the Central Information Commission (CIC) order which had directed the UPSC to reveal the marks of successful candidates in the preliminary Civil Services Examination to an RTI applicant who could not succeed in the above examination. Earlier, the UPSC refused to disclose the marks of the successful candidates saying that they could not be revealed to a third party.
2. More recently in a writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking information regarding marks obtained by other candidates in a public examination for Agniveer recruitment process, the Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the respondent ( Government of India) to disclose the marks of all, emphasizing the public interest of transparency in public examinations. In this connection, the Court also observed that” All candidates had participated in a public examination. The said Information has nothing to do with personal information of a candidate. Marks obtained by all candidates is public activity and each candidate has the right to know about the marks of all other candidates “(Aman Dwivedi vrs Government of India order dated 1st July 2024).
In the above case too the petitioner had earlier applied for information under the RTI Act about the marks obtained by all successful candidates in addition to his own marks. The application was partly allowed and the petitioner ‘s marks were disclosed while the marks of all other candidates were not disclosed.
In view of the above, a question arises as to why the MPSC is stubbornly hiding behind the same old wilted fig leaf of “personal privacy ” when the courts have clearly ruled in favour of transparency and fairness.
Hence, I request the KSU to take this matter to its logical end otherwise our young people will lose any hope left in getting justice.
Yours etc.,
Samuel Swett,
Shillong-2
Mawjymbuin Cave – A spiritual place for Hindus
Editor,
As a tourist from Central India traveling to Shillong for the very first time, my holiday trip with my family gave me mixed experiences in the Home of Clouds. As we completed the first day by visiting the amazing Cherrapunji, our taxi driver cum guide informed us about the specialty of the Mawsynram Cave where there is a structure resembling the Holy Shiv Ling, which is a symbol of Lord Shiv and is considered to be the most sacred symbol in Hinduism. Furthermore, there is a natural dripping of water right on top of the structure throughout the year, even in the dry season.
Having heard this exceptional phenomenon and being a practicing Hindu, we made up our minds to travel to Mawsynram the next day to witness the amazing Mawjymbuin Cave, only to realize that reality was far more fascinating than the storytelling. The phenomenon was absolutely true, and we were literally engulfed with a divine feeling that this place is special on more fronts than one.
But after we completed the “Darshan” of the Holy Shiv Ling, I was curious to know why this incredible place is not known to the rest of India. I happened to ask the same to some other fellow devotees over there and learned that though people have been worshipping at this place since decades, the District Administration and Local Panchayat are totally against any kind of activity, development, or endorsement of Mawjymbuin Cave with a religious point of view which I feel is not just unfortunate but also absurd at the same time for the following reasons:
1. If this place is being followed and worshipped by devotees for decades, how can their religious sentiments be trampled upon by not even allowing this to be recognized as a spiritual place? Why can’t all stakeholders sit across the table with a common minimum program that makes it a win-win situation for all parties?
2. There is an NDA government in both Meghalaya State and Centre, which as a matter of principle, boasts to be the messiah of the Hindus. I would like to know what actions have they taken to restore the faith of the Hindus in Meghalaya? Or are they giving step-motherly behaviour just because Hindus of Meghalaya don’t give them a seat in Lok Sabha? Is the RSS also sleeping over it?
3. Religious Tourism has a market share of a mammoth 60% of the total domestic tourism in India, which amounts to Rs. 1.34 lakh crores till the year 2022 and is increasing by 16% annually. If tourism is the mainstay of Meghalaya’s economy, why are we sidelining Mawsynram from this immensely potential opportunity to attract tourists? If this cave comes into the public domain of India, I affirm this site will be as popular as the Amarnath Shrine in Kashmir, which can change the fortunes of the local citizens of Mawsynram just like in the case of Cherrapunji, where there are hundreds of homestays, hotels, etc., creating thousands of sustainable jobs. And with the strict Land Transfer Act prevailing in Meghalaya by virtue of being in the Sixth Schedule, it will be only the local residents who would prosper beyond imagination.
All in all, I would like to conclude that it is highly unfortunate that the leaders of this state have underestimated the potential of Mawjymbuin Cave for reasons best known to them, but at the same time, I sincerely believe the points raised by me will be taken seriously by the various stakeholders for the benefit of their own people and maintaining the secular fabric of this nation.
Yours etc.,
Aashish Ujjain,
Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh