Editor,
The recent screening test conducted by the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) has plunged thousands of aspirants into a state of bewilderment and distress, following a string of concerning issues that cast a shadow over the Commission’s credibility.
The primary point of contention is the sudden preponement of the examination. Originally scheduled for October 25, the test was abruptly held on the September 20. This drastic change, with minimal notice, created immense mental pressure on candidates, disrupting meticulously planned study schedules and raising serious doubts about the administrative fairness of the MPSC. The decision is seen as arbitrary and severely prejudicial to the dedicated aspirants who rely on a stable calendar.
Further compounding the woes of the candidates was the disconcerting nature of the question paper itself. Despite the exam being a technical paper requiring complex calculations, the presence of very few numerical problems—only two, by most accounts has left many candidates doubtful about the nature of the exam. This was made more egregious by notification on the official website, permitting the use of a scientific calculator. The allowance of a sophisticated tool for only two problems in a technical paper highlights a stark disconnect between the Commission’s preparation and the subject matter’s requirements.
Moreover, the quality of the question paper has been severely criticised. Aspirants noted that a significant number of questions were repeated, and the overall standard was disappointingly low, leading to widespread claims of a “superstitious” paper lacking in rigour and relevance. Such shortcomings in a high-stakes competitive examination undermine the integrity of the process designed to select the state’s most capable Engineers.
These cumulative irregularities—the abrupt preponement, the calculator anomaly in a technical paper with minimal numerical questions, and the compromised quality of the test—have eroded the confidence of the public and aspirants in the MPSC.
A Call for Re-examination:
Given the confusion caused by the preponement and the questionable quality of the paper, a re-examination is imperative to ensure a fair and level playing field for all candidates.
The future of Meghalaya’s administration rests on the foundation of a fair and transparent recruitment process. The MPSC must heed the voice of the youth and take immediate steps to restore faith in its ability to conduct unassailable and meritorious examinations.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email
Money charged for no Data service
Editor,
Can we rely on the service of mobile service providers? No, not at all. All entered the fray with a bang to provide “super-smart” service. But they all have literally ditched their gullible customers. Customers now have a deluge of complaints. From certain places, they cannot make calls at all. Even if the call gets through, the voice is not clear, or it is slurry. Call drops are far too frequent.
Voice calls apart, the data service is “the worst”. Companies are just robbing money from the public in the name of providing data service. The other day, a 128 KB file sent through email could not be downloaded until I reached home and used broadband. Please note, even the service of JIO fiber -5G these days is not as good as it was earlier. Download streaming is noticeably slow.
One angry student who has to rely on mobile data service for his college project said that burglars and mobile service providers are no different. The difference is only that poor burglars get arrested and put in jail for the offence, while the mobile service providers, having taken money without providing service, are not even condemned by the police, nor by the district authorities. Had Reliance Communications of Anil Ambani not run away with the booty collected under the pretext of an initial security deposit, I don’t think the company had been appropriately taken to task.
Before anything is put in place, in the larger interest of the public, I urge the authorities concerned to crack the whip. Companies should immediately stop selling recharge plans like 2 GB or 1.5 GB daily until these providers can actually deliver what they advertise. Equip first, advertise later.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong
Fabricated stories can poison minds
Editor,
Apropos of the report “HM sounds alarm over fabricated crime stories” (ST Sept.’29, 2025) has shocked me. Most of the crime incidents involving minors baffle us because we consider them innocent on account of their tender age. In such cases we often direct our fingers at the state administration. Minors are never suspected of committing a crime because they get the benefit of doubt owing to their age. It is therefore surprising to note that a minor girl who fabricated the story on August 25, 2025 in Nongthymmai, Shillong as reported was just an excuse to rid herself of blame whereas the reality was something different from the truth. The dexterity displayed at such a tender age is like a bead that germinates into a big tree in course of time. It is a signal of crime awaiting to take its ugly shape in future if it is not nipped in the bud.
Fabricated stories can have severe consequences on individuals and societies as a whole. It can fuel tensions and conflicts between different groups and communities. It can also affect the mental health of the person accused apart from stigmatisation of society.
It is not wise to blame someone as incompetent. Each one of us need to combat the dreadful disease through our collective efforts by educating individuals to critically evaluate sources and identity potential biases or misinformation. Fact checking practices before sharing information to prevent the spread of false narratives is imperative. The sooner we act on it the better.
Yours etc.,
Deepak chhetry,
Tura.
Cautionary call to aspiring authors
Editor,
Behind every book lies a dream. Yet too many aspiring authors see that dream crushed, not by rejection but by fraudulent publishing companies that prey on hope.
These firms hide behind polished promises and glowing Google reviews, but the truth is harsh. Writers invest their savings into marketing and promotion, only to face silence: calls unanswered, emails ignored, money gone. The loss is not only financial but deeply emotional. Imagine pouring your soul into a manuscript, only to have your trust broken before your words even reach readers.
Traditional publishers today often favor celebrities or authors with ready-made followings, leaving new voices vulnerable. This vacuum has allowed fraudulent self-publishing houses to flourish. Still, genuine publishers do exist, teams that guide transparently, charge fairly, and truly support their authors. The task is learning to tell the difference.
So let this be both a caution and a call. Writers, safeguard your creativity as fiercely as you guard your words. Do not rely on reviews or glossy promises alone. Ask questions, speak to fellow authors, demand proof of real work before signing away your trust.
No author should lose their voice to deceit. Protecting writers means protecting stories, and protecting stories means protecting culture itself. If we remain alert, our dreams will not just survive but they will shine.
Your’s etc,
Shivani Pde,
Via email
