Editor,
Apropos of the article which appeared in your esteemed daily on March 12, 2026 entitled “ Rock-Bottom: Meghalaya Cricket’s Crisis and Hope for Redemption’ by Patrick Kurbah, we would like to clarify, for the greater interest of our readers especially the cricket lovers of the state, since the said article is nothing short of lies, malice and a motivated attempt to defame our past members who had struggled and managed the association overs the years. The struggles that the Association had to go through to achieve its present affiliation with the BCCI and achievements thereafter is too long a narrative for this reply. The past office bearers like our Honorable Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma, Danny Marak, DP Wahlang, IAS, Marcuise Marak, Dikki Shira, I. Syiemlieh, Dr. Andrew Warjri and many others had gone beyond their way to work hard with commitment to obtain first affiliate membership of BCCI in 2009 followed by full membership in 2018, overcoming strong oppositions from mainstream states. Former proficient cricketers like Peter J Lamare, Asa Warjri, Iohbor Blah, Mark Ingty, Manik Das, Bharat Roy, late Mawlynnai Marbaniang, Saibal Dasgupta, Biswajit Dasgupta etc., to name a few among many more, added to the journey with cricketing support and active involvement. The above office bearers together with the undersigned held, office either before or after BCCI affiliation.
The writer has emerged as an over-night cricket analyst for the state by working out the success and failure percentile over the last season. He was never heard of when the state was performing well and we could only sense that he was instigated and pushed by those ‘sour grapes’ people who were never selected nor considered for the state team at different categories. With the popularity that the game has attained in the state and with its stakes going high, it is only natural, that many aspirants would vie their place in the team, whether deserving or otherwise. When the state selects, the selection committee of all age categories, with full autonomy, select the best performers available to represent the state. The non-performers vent out their frustrations to the media through such enthusiastic writer like Patrick Kurbah. On selection issues, the selectors are free to give their retort in details, if felt necessary by them.
We would not like to delve briefly point to point on what the writer had, from the beginning to the end, illustrated such ‘fabricated truths’ but there are a few very serious allegations that the writer had mentioned which demand proper documented proof. The contents of the article appear to be “influenced works” of fiction and mostly defamatory in nature. The process of players’ selection for all categories is very transparent and fair with performance-based index taking via the score sheet or the mobile application-based software besides selectors’ note sheets. At times, the selectors would take video recordings as proof for such inclusion or exclusion from the squad. Selecting a squad of 15 members in a team out of a few hundred will never be easy. It is on such occasions that players who are not selected spit venom at the selectors and the association.
The writer’s accusation of ‘money changing hands’ is a serious allegation because the Association has a strong policy against corruption going right up to the Anti-Doping and Anti-Corruption Cell of the BCCI. If there were shortcomings our teams, to cite an example, among many, would not have qualified for the Elite Group of BCCI without Guest Players, both in the Senior and U-23 category during 2022-2023 season and holding the position in the latter till last season.
The next serious allegation is the ‘misuse’ of BCCI funds where the writer knows nothing of how funds are managed and utilised by the Association. It should be noted that every penny of the sanctioned amount is scrutinised by a reputed firm recommended by the BCCI for internal auditing before it is submitted to the BCCI for necessary action and audit. The infrastructure that MCA has built up over the last few years since grants have been received are not matched by any other state receiving such funds. Only when one can move around every nook and corner of the different affiliated districts can one conclude how funds are utilised.
We do agree that this particular season, unlike the other previous seasons, the state did not do well in most of the categories and we need to be concerned. As an Association we will do a post-mortem and find ways and means to improve in various fronts. As the writer has great hope in the new dispensation, we too look forward that the new body led by a very able and experienced person as the President will be able to wriggle it out from the ‘rock bottom’ situation that we are in today.
Yours etc,
Naba Bhattacharjee & Gideon Kharkongor
Via email
Changing Scenario of War Intelligence
Editor,
As of now, the nature of warfare across the world is changing very rapidly. Earlier, wars were mostly decided by the strength of armies, weapons and battlefield strategies. But over time, it has become clear that information and intelligence often play an even more crucial role. Knowing the enemy’s plans, movements and positions can sometimes decide the outcome of a conflict even before a battle actually begins.In the past, intelligence gathering depended largely on human spies and ground scouts. Later, technology brought new tools such as surveillance aircraft, satellites and drones. But as of now, science seems to be moving towards an even more unusual direction.
Recent reports suggest that scientists in Germany are experimenting with a rather surprising idea—using cockroaches for intelligence purposes. A German start-up company called SWARM Biotactics is reportedly developing a system in which small electronic devices are placed on real cockroaches. These tiny “backpacks” contain sensors, small cameras and communication systems that can send information back to operators sitting far away.
At first hearing, the idea may sound strange, but there is a simple reason behind it. Cockroaches are among the toughest insects found in nature. They can crawl into extremely narrow spaces, survive in difficult conditions and move quickly across uneven surfaces. Because of these abilities, scientists believe they could be useful in places where humans, drones or robots cannot easily reach—such as narrow tunnels, damaged buildings or underground hideouts.
The small devices attached to the insects can collect images and other environmental information. Scientists have also reportedly developed ways to guide the movement of these insects by sending mild electrical signals. In other words, a person sitting at a control station may be able to influence the direction in which the insect moves.
As of now, this research is still developing, but similar experiments have also been carried out in other countries. In the United States, scientists have worked on projects involving beetles and moths fitted with small electronic components. Japan has experimented with remote-controlled cockroaches carrying tiny solar-powered devices, while China has been investing in miniature drones and insect-like robots designed for surveillance.
All these developments clearly show that the methods of gathering war intelligence are changing with time. Earlier, there were human spies. Later it became satellites and drones. In the coming years, it may also include extremely small machines—or even insects carrying electronic sensors—that can quietly enter places where humans cannot safely go.
At the same time, such technology may not remain limited only to military purposes. As of now, scientists also believe that these tiny devices could help rescue teams during earthquakes or building collapses. They could move through narrow gaps in debris and help locate people trapped inside.
Of course, such developments also raise certain questions about how far science should go in mixing living creatures with machines. Nevertheless, one thing appears certain: technology is moving very fast, and the methods of intelligence gathering in future conflicts may look very different from what we see today.
What once seemed like the imagination of science fiction is slowly becoming part of reality.
Yours etc.,
Jairaj,
Via email
