Editor
From Shyiap to Langkyrding… to Mawpat and all the way to Ishyrwat, I glide through the buttery road with appreciation. The smell of new tarmac excites my nerves as I shift the gears and ease the throttle. I remember one stormy evening as I returned from NEIGRIHMS, I nearly lost my limbs as I landed on several landmines on the Mawpat road. As a frequent visitor of NEIGRIHMS Hospital, I wholeheartedly express my gratitude to the Lord of Roads for renovating the road which serves as a lifeline to a great number of sickly travellers. It was a joyride indeed as I did not even bother to overtake the tractor with its trailer. Suddenly a CHAPRI driver of a Maruti 800 taxi passed my bike and the tractor with its trailer, at the curve next to the main Mawpat junction. He almost hit an oncoming Bolero pickup. The Chapri yelled and spewed a few “Inglish” words, much to the dislike of the Bolero driver. I witnessed the drama with enthusiasm and pleasure. The audacity of the CHAPRI to overtake two vehicles on a curve and reprimand the oncoming traffic for not giving way amused me greatly. With great roads come great responsibility. I congratulate the residents of Mawpat and at the same time urge them to be wary of CHAPRIs. Like nectar attracts bees, new roads attract chapris. And they come in all shapes and sizes. Stay Safe!!
Yours etc.,
Kyntiewborlang Kharakor
Shillong – 17
Is the Education Minister ignorant of the Constitution?
Editor,
The statement made by Minister of Education, Mr Rakkam A Sangma that Meghalaya is a “Christian State” raises a concern in the constitutional context about the secular nature of India. Secularism is the bedrock of our nationhood. Secularism as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru defined it is Sarva Dharma Samabhava which allows every religion to flourish in our country. Several landmark cases address these principles and could be relevant to this matter, viz.
Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973)
Principle Established: The “Basic Structure Doctrine,” which includes secularism as one of the inviolable principles of the Constitution.
Relevance: Any state action or statement asserting a religious identity of a state could potentially violate the basic structure of secularism.
S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994)
Principle Established: Secularism is a basic feature of the Constitution, and state governments cannot favor one religion over another.
Relevance: The Court emphasized that the government should not identify with or promote any particular religion, reinforcing the secular character of governance.
Bijoe Emmanuel v. State of Kerala (1986)
Principle Established: Freedom of religion under Article 25 includes the right to practice, profess, and propagate one’s religion without interference.
Relevance: A declaration of a state as being aligned with one religion could infringe on the religious freedom of minority groups like the Niamtre and Niam Khasi communities.
Indra Sawhney v. Union of India (1992)
Principle Established: Affirmative action and recognition of diverse communities must not create exclusion or discrimination against minority groups.
Relevance: Government acknowledgment of only one religion could marginalize indigenous religions like Niamtre and Niam Khasi, violating principles of inclusivity.
Aruna Roy v. Union of India (2002)
Principle Established: The secular state does not mean irreligion but equal respect for all religions.
Relevance: Labelling Meghalaya as a “Christian State” could be challenged as inconsistent with equal respect for indigenous religions.
Hence, a declaration of a lawmaker as being aligned with one religion could infringe on the religious freedom of minority groups like the Niamtre, Niam Khasi, Hindu, Islam, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism communities.
We are the most open and pluralistic society. The rise of religious polarisation is mainly to score political mileage; divide people, flare up communal feelings and sabotage the basic principles of the Constitution. If the right to freedom of speech is abused by using a statement to incite a feeling of hatred etc., then the citizens of Meghalaya have every right to demand the resignation of the Honourable Minister of Education.
Yours etc.,
Marbiang Rymbai,
Via email
Exorbitant exam application fees
Editor,
I am writing this letter through your esteemed newspaper to bring attention to the exorbitant exam application fees associated with job advertisements circulating in our state. Although Meghalaya has limited employment options for young people, the amount charged for these job applications is burdensome for those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. I wonder why organizations such as the SSC can offer free job applications, yet the government or other organizations cannot provide either free or at least nominal application fees? This change would motivate more young individuals to apply for available positions. Currently, even a middle-class job seeker like myself feels the financial strain. I would also like to encourage the student union and other advocacy groups to pay attention to this issue, as it significantly deters young people from submitting applications when faced with such a large fee.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
Via email
Why the long queue at the Speed Post counter?
Editor,
This letter, through your esteemed daily is regarding the lackadaisical and lethargic mode of functioning of the Speed Post counter at the main Post Office, Shillong. Every time we need to send letters or parcels through this facility, we would have to spend an hour or two in the queue as the system takes a long time to move. In addition, the incumbent at the counter is so slow in attending to his duty that it pushes one’s blood pressure to soar to dangerous limits.
We are directed to only one Speed Post counter in such a big establishment while the adjacent counter having a signage saying “multipurpose counter” may be empty yet the staff at this counter refuses to entertain Speed Post letters/parcels in spite of the signage. This happens on a daily basis and one could hear the grunt and even the heated arguments amongst the customers and the worker manning the counter. This is nothing but total harassment for the customers concerned and that too on a regular basis.
I request the Post Master or the authority concerned to handle this problem as soon as possible for the smooth functioning of this facility and if there could be two counters it would save the customers’ valuable time.
Hope and pray that this does not fall on the deaf ears of the concerned authority.
One wonders as to why are there very few sub post offices around Shillong city. The post offices at Laban and Barabazar area have been dismantled for reasons best known to them. Had there been sufficient sub centres across the town, the burden of work on the main office would be reduced drastically.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email