Editor,
The scenic beauty of Meghalaya, characterized by its perennial rivers, lakes, and waterfalls has presented a compelling opportunity for the growth and development of rural tourism. As Meghalaya gains popularity as a tourist destination, it is imperative that we prioritize sustainable tourism practices as well, to preserve our state’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. However, the fulfilment of this potential is impeded by two substantial infrastructural obstacles, which is inconsistent power supply and inadequate road conditions.
Stakeholders face significant difficulties due to frequent power outages and poor network connectivity. This not only affects tourists but also poses significant challenges to the smooth operations of homestays, guesthouses, restaurants, and other tourism-related establishments. The deplorable road conditions particularly in rural and border areas where numerous tourist attractions are located adversely affects the overall tourist experience, discouraging visitors from returning or recommending our state as a desirable destination.
I feel it is of utmost importance that our Government confront these challenges head-on to guarantee that Meghalaya retains its allure for tourists; evolves into a premier tourist destination over time, and establishes a sustainable industry that can benefit our entire state.
Yours etc..
Chanmiki Lamin
Via email
MPSC needs transparency in written exams & objectivity in interviews
Editor,
It is clear that the problem with the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) can be pinned down to lack of transparency. Like cockroaches hiding in dark corners, corruption and incompetence thrive in the lack of transparency. Of course, the introduction of OMR sheets was already a step in the right direction. We just need a suo-moto disclosure by the MPSC of the answer key and the OMR sheets of all the candidates in every examination. While the Question Paper itself may be protected by intellectual property right, the answer key and OMR sheets are not. Neither the MPSC nor any candidate can claim the answer key and OMR sheets to be exempted from disclosure. But suo-moto disclosure is the first step, without waiting for RTI applications to be filed. This is all that is needed to make the written examinations transparent.
Secondly, it is not ethical to say, “Oh the one who does exceptionally well in the written examination cannot be denied his right.” So, you have to be at the top of the pile just to be treated fairly? This kind of thought has been normalized for quite some time now. Actually, even the ones placed right smack in the middle and lower deserve a fair shot. So, this comes down to the interview process. The interview process is where manipulation can occur not only because of lack of transparency, but also because of a lack of objectivity. For transparency’s sake, while the name of interviewers cannot be made public for safety reasons, yet the number of interviewers and their backgrounds and organizations should be made public. For objectivity in interviews, the number of questions, the nature of each question as well as the range of marks according to the candidates’ abilities should be made standard.
Interview, if taken seriously, is just as important as the written examination as it also tests the aptitude and mental application of candidates. But to reduce manipulation, the marks need to be kept low because the viva is not as objective as the written examination or OMR sheet. But if we standardize the interview questions as suggested above, we could make it as objective as possible. This of course leads to the only logical conclusion that if the interview itself is to be made transparent and objective, it must be video-taped without revealing the interviewers’ faces and so, even interviews can be audited objectively by the public vide a suo-moto disclosure by the MPSC.
Lastly, of course, as has been pointed out by many leaders, if the selection to the post of Chairman itself is not transparent, then corruption is still enabled. There must be an objective method of selecting the Chairman as well. But, all in all, since even to overhaul the MPSC requires a strong will, so it still seems that what continues to ail MPSC is really the lack of will to make it transparent.
Yours etc.,
Kitdor H. Blah,
Via email
No justice for Dalits
Editor,
It is a pity that a case was filed against some unidentified villagers after they killed an attacking wolf in Uttar Pradesh’s Bahraich district on October 5. It is easy to put the entire blame on the villagers. But can the authorities answer why they failed to catch or kill the last man-eater wolf of the pack of six, even nearly 7 months after the first attack? Why did it take six months for them to cage four man-eater wolves at the end of August?
A killing spree by man-eater wolves began on March 10. But the fifth of the pack was captured only on September 9. Wolves killed as many as 10 people and injured 60 during the period of more than six months. Villagers said that they had been complaining since March, but the authorities ignored their dozens of written requests. It appears that the authorities do not bother about poor people’s distress.
The class and caste of a victim determine the level of sympathy she or he will get from the authorities and the affluent. This is the reason why the Dalit families of a village in Yadgir district in Karnataka have allegedly been facing social boycott now for their “sin” of demanding justice and lodging a POCSO complaint against an “upper caste” youth. Even a man-eater wolf can get sympathy and care, but it is hardly available for a tail-ender of class and caste.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata