Editor,
Every year on September 5, we line up to garland teachers, give speeches, and call them “nation-builders.” Once the flowers wither and the applause dies down, our teachers are left to fight for their survival. Is this how we honour the people who hold up the foundation of our society? The ones watering the roots of our children?
The truth is painful, while we celebrate Teachers’ Day with pomp, many of our teachers in Meghalaya are still unpaid, underpaid, or pushed into “ad-hoc” uncertainty. They are not standing in classrooms with dignity; they are standing on the streets with placards. The article “Rain Knowledge, Eat Air,” published on September 1, 2025, by Ellerine Diengdoh, exposes this cruel irony with cutting precision, cushioned in humour that barely masks the hard-hitting truth that teachers are giving knowledge as freely as rain, yet forced to “eat air” when their salaries are withheld.
How can we speak of a bright future for our children while dimming the lives of those who guide them? Cutting sanctioned posts, delaying arrears, and pushing teachers to plead for their rightful wages is not just negligence; it is injustice.
If our government cannot provide dignity to teachers, then every Teachers’ Day celebration is nothing more than hypocrisy. Respect is not a speech, not a bouquet; it is fair pay, job security, and policies that protect those who educate our children. Anything less is neglect dressed as gratitude.
To every teacher reading this, who continues to show up despite the struggles, we owe you our deepest gratitude. Thank you for pouring your energy, patience, and hope into shaping the minds and futures of our children. Happy Teacher’s Day.
Your’s etc.,
Shivani Pde,
Via email
Essence of Right to Information Act, 2005
Editor,
The RTI Act legislated by the then Congress led UPA- 1 on June 15, 2005 under the able leadership of Prime Minister (late) Dr Manmohan Singh has unerringly become not only an effective tool to checkmate the widespread corruption that were spreading their tentacles but also a noble crusade to empower the hoi- polloi to assert their rights. Sadly, the present dispensation of saffron government is reportedly trying to surreptitiously compromise this Act!
Now, turning to our home State of Meghalaya, it has been supposedly stated that the filing of RTI has not picked up the much-needed pace. l hope it’s the otherwise. Incidentally, on August 22 of last month l had applied an RTI in the 0ffce of the Treasury 0fficer, Shillong South regarding a pension query but out of the blue, l got a call from this 0ffice within three days to come and collect the letter on RTI answers which I have just filed! Such exemplary public services ought to be replicated in all government establishments. Conversely, there are instances in some offices where RTI applications are not given much importance thereby leading to inordinate delay even going beyond the stipulated time-frame of this Act. For such unnecessary dilly-dally,the delinquent offices must be penalized for exceeding the time given. The penalty is fixed at the rate of Rs 250 per day but not beyond Rs. 2,500 overall. Be that as it may, but l have not heard of such punitive actions being implemented in Meghalaya!
Yours etc,
Jerome K Diengdoh,
Shillong-2
Counterpoint: Vigilantism vs. Lawful Action on Drugs
Editor,
This is with reference to the recent letter concerning the drug problem in our State. While I respect the sentiments expressed, I feel it is important to correct certain impressions.
The newly constituted Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has in fact been working with commendable pro-activity. The seizures carried out over the past months, including the operation at Iewduh, are evidence of this. A video of that raid itself shows ANTF officers directly involved. We must not be complacent about the level of intelligence gathering and effort that has enabled the apprehension of several major suppliers and peddlers. It is undeniable that more needs to be done to eradicate the menace at its root, but to dismiss the ANTF’s work is both unfair and inaccurate.
Those of us who caution against vigilantism should not be mistaken for indifference to the issue of drugs. On the contrary, we are deeply concerned about the consequences such actions may have—driving those in need of treatment further underground instead of encouraging them to seek help. With regard to the perception that offenders are often released “scot-free”, it should be clarified that in cases involving commercial quantities, such instances are extremely rare. If there is confusion, this is a matter best clarified by those more conversant with the legal process.
It is also necessary to highlight the plight of young people imprisoned for the mere offence of drug use rather than for peddling. The absence of proper segregation in our prisons means that first-time users are often exposed to hardened criminals, with the risk of returning to society more entrenched in criminal behaviour. What then becomes of their future, and of the well-being of their families?
The government, civil society and non-governmental organisations are not idle in this struggle. The Harm Reduction Programme, the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, as well as interventions by the Meghalaya AIDS Control Society, the Directorate of Social Welfare, the Police, NGOs and community groups are ongoing examples of structured responses. Yet these initiatives must be strengthened and supported. In my view, faith-based groups too should step forward to play a greater role in prevention, rehabilitation, and community support.
The drug problem is real and demands decisive action. But let us ensure that our approach is guided by law, compassion, and a vision of rehabilitation—so that we may save not only lives but futures.
Yours etc.,
A Thangkhiew,
Shillong
MPSC written exams
Editor,
The Meghalaya Public Service Commission through the notification No. MPSC/EX-c/7/2023-2024/140, Dated Shillong, the 29th July, 2025 had published the tentative dates for conducting the exams for various posts. For example, for the post of Sub Inspector of Statistics under the Directorate of Economics and Statistics(April, 2025) the tentative date for conducting the exam is October 18, 2025. Similarly, for the post of
Draughtsman Grade-ll/Surveyor Grade-II under the Directorate of Soil and Water Conservation (April & June, 2025) the tentative date is October 25, 2025.
However, in the notification No. MPSC/EX-c/7/2023-2024/158 Dated Shillong, the August 25, 2025 the dates for conducting the exams for the above two post have been shifted to September 20, 2025 and September 27, 2025 respectively. The same goes for the post of Accounts Assistant under the Directorate of Community & Rural Development(April, 2025) and Sub- Divisional Officer/ Assistant Engineer (Civil) under PHE Department and under Public Works (R&B) Department (May, 2025) in which the exam dates have been shifted to a much earlier date from the date as mentioned in the tentative schedule.
This change has caused inconvenience and distress to many candidates who had made arrangements accordingly because many aspirants are working outside the state in the private sector and they have already applied for leave based on the earlier tentative schedule and this sudden change will make it impossible for them to write the exams, thereby denying them an opportunity especially for those candidates who are closer to the upper age limit.
I request the Commission to consider the impact of this change on candidates and take necessary steps to give fair chance to all aspirants.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email