Editor,
If you are reading this letter, I hope you have already read the one published on September 29, 2025 in The Shillong Times, titled “A Message to the Meghalaya Public Service Commission”. The author of that article expressed deep concern and frustration with the functioning of the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC), even going so far as to question whether the Commission is indirectly looting job aspirants. The author raised serious doubts about the qualifications or attentiveness of those responsible for setting question papers and releasing answer keys, and also questioned whether this might be a deliberate tactic to generate revenue through the representation process. As a job seeker myself, I fully relate to the author’s sentiments. I too feel that many departments may be using this similar tactic to loot job seekers.
I’m sure many of you are curious to know what happened to me at the District Judge and Sessions Court, Nongstoin. Let me explain what happened:-
On September 3, 2025, the office of the District Legal Services Authority, West Khasi Hills District, Nongstoin, issued an advertisement inviting interested candidates who are citizens of India to attend a walk-in-interview for the position of Office Assistant/Clerk, scheduled for October 7, 2025 (Note: The post is purely contractual in nature and may be terminated without any prior notice).
As part of the application process, candidates were instructed to submit a Demand Draft of Rs 150/- in favour of the District Legal Services Authority, Nongstoin, as an application fee. The advertisement also stated that applicants would undergo a computer typing speed test (practical), and only the qualifying candidates would be shortlisted for the interview. However, nowhere in the advertisement was the required typing speed mentioned. Personally, I assumed—based on MPSC standards that the qualifying speed would be 30 words per minute (wpm). When I arrived for the interview on 7th October, I was informed that the required typing speed was above 40 wpm. I was taken aback, as this crucial detail was never mentioned in the original advertisement. I knew at that point that I wouldn’t meet the threshold. Had I been informed of this requirement in advance, I and likely many others would not have wasted our time, energy, and money applying for the post.
While I accept that I did not meet the qualifying speed and thus wasn’t eligible for the interview, my question is: Why didn’t the District Judge and Sessions Court, Nongstoin, specify the required typing speed in the advertisement? Even though this is a Contractual post and some may say it’s just 150/- for the application fee, I personally feel that this lack of transparency raises serious concerns and from my perspective, it appears to be a deliberate attempt to extract money from applicants; knowing that most would not qualify and still pay the application fee. If this was indeed done intentionally, it is deeply unethical, and those responsible should be ashamed of themselves for such actions and the application fees be refunded immediately. Job seekers deserve clarity, honesty, and respect not vague criteria and hidden requirements that result in wasted resources.
Yours etc,,
(Name withheld on request)
Via email
Of Killer Highways
Editor,
The recent accident cases along the NH6, particularly the Guwahati-Shillong stretch is a matter of great concern especially for frequent commuters travelling through this highway. These fatalities are no longer considered to be stray incidents especially after looking at the figures. Just within a span of two or three days around three to four major accidents had happened on this highway. I feel that this is highly unusual and these incidents should not be brushed aside on the pretext that, “Accidents do happen.” The crux of the problem lies with the inability of the authorities, especially those of the Transport Enforcement wing to put in place a proper mechanism to check such rash, irresponsible juvenile driving (under age drivers). The main factors for fatal crashes are excessive speeding, mechanical damage of the vehicle, bad weather conditions but the most dangerous factor is driving under the influence of alcohol. It is often seen that whether it is the national highway or the city streets most crashes (about 90/%) occur due to drunken driving. I have often seen while travelling to and from Shillong to Guwahati, truckers parking their vehicles in small food stalls along the stretch and it is an open secret that it is not only food and tea that is served as refreshments in these shops but alcohol is also available.
A few days ago I saw in the media that random sobriety check was conducted by the police, especially on small cars and two wheelers but it makes me wonder why the same yardstick was not applied for trucks and lorries because it is often seen that if an accident happens between two vehicles the fatality is always higher when the opposite vehicle is a large one. My perspective on this issue is that the buck needs to stop somewhere and that “somewhere” has to be the concerned authorities. Otherwise we will be witnessing a lot more crashes in the near future.
Yours etc.,
K. Warjri,
Via email
Condom Ads: Inform, Don’t Inflame
Editor,
I write to you as a teacher entrusted with guiding young minds, to express my deep concern over the increasing indecency in certain television advertisements promoting condoms. While I fully understand and support the need to promote awareness about health and safe practices, many of these advertisements unfortunately cross the boundaries of decency and end up being more provocative than informative.
Our students and children are frequently exposed to such content during family viewing hours. Instead of receiving a message of awareness, they often absorb distorted impressions that are neither educational nor appropriate for their age. Sexual health is indeed an important subject, but it must be conveyed with dignity, sensitivity, and educational purpose, not by sensationalizing it .
I sincerely urge your esteemed authority to kindly review such advertisements and ensure that public awareness campaigns are framed in a manner that informs, educates, and safeguards public health without compromising cultural values or the innocence of young viewers. One constructive solution would be to adopt the internationally recognised practice of watershed hours, as followed in countries such as Australia, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, when children are less likely to be watching. Alternatively, advertisers may be encouraged to frame their messaging in a more educational and respectful manner rather than relying on suggestive visuals.
I trust that ASCI, being a guardian of advertising ethics in India, will take appropriate steps to address this matter.
Yours etc.,
Marbiang Lyngdoh
Rymbai,
Via email
