Editor,
Parenting a daughter is undoubtedly a lifelong labour of love. Parents pour their heart and soul into their children, believing that every milestone is a hard‑won victory born of years of sacrifice. Once their studies are completed, parents send their daughters into the professional world with pride. They trust that the towering glass offices of corporate India will be safe harbours for talent and dignity. But let’s be real, what happened at the TCS office in Nashik has completely knocked down that hope for countless parents across the country.
What unfolded in Nashik was a horrifying betrayal of the human spirit. When eight women finally gathered the courage to file nine FIRs, they revealed a rot that had been festering for four long years. Behind the shiny facade of a global giant, a predatory culture was allowed to flex its muscles! These unsuspecting woman employees fell prey to perverted seniors who operated like they could get away with anything. From stalking and lewd comments to the monstrous act of rape and torture under false promises of marriage, the workplace turned into a total hunting ground.
Team leads allegedly isolated victims on rooftops and snatched away their phones to block their cries for help. The most unforgivable part is the role of the HR department, headed by a woman herself. Shockingly, she was allegedly among the masterminds, luring women into relationships.
Allegations of forced religious conversion reveal an evil motive. It aims not just to break a woman’s body, but to crush her very identity and character. Well, it took a forty‑day undercover operation by the Nashik police to expose the depth of this filth.
Now, every parent must ask how much they are really willing to tolerate. It is heartbreaking to think of a mother or father praying for their daughter’s career while she was actually fighting for survival in a den of wolves. The million-dollar question is why a company with that much goodwill and integrity cannot actually “assure the safety” of its employees. The government needs to take a serious note of this. Exemplary action must be taken against such companies immediately. Their license to operate should be cancelled forthwith. I believe, until a woman can go to work without fearing for her life or dignity, our talk of a “civilized” society is a total lie. We are living in an illusory civilization if we cannot protect the daughters we claim to cherish!
Incidentally, there is an even more shocking incident. A 19‑year‑old boy from Amravati, Maharashtra, sexually exploited 180 girls, including minors, and recorded over 350 obscene videos. Instead of focusing on his studies, he had the brazen guts to outrage the modesty of so many innocent girls. Reports indicate that he even coerced them financially, and in some cases forced them into prostitution. Is this what we now call “youth empowerment” in modern times? Moreover, why has it become so easy for a predator to exploit young girls these days? This is a serious concern.
In the end, the pressing question is where our new generation is heading. Is the government no longer “accountable” to society and its well‑being? Why are the concerned authorities so incapable of addressing the roots of this increasing and glaring moral bankruptcy? It is difficult to trust a government that seems to value “Wi‑Fi” more than the dignity and safety of women. I daresay, if we remain silent in this and do not raise our voice for the safety of female employees, we certainly become “silent partners” in the crime.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong
Breaking the Silence: The Urgent Need for Menstrual Health Reform
Editor,
Through the columns of your newspaper, I wish to draw public and administrative attention to a critical yet chronically neglected issue: the pervasive lack of menstrual health awareness and the substandard state of hygiene facilities in educational institutions within Meghalaya.
While menstruation is a fundamental biological process, it remains shrouded in a culture of silence. It is particularly disheartening to note that even forward-looking frameworks like the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 lack a robust, dedicated focus on menstrual health education. This omission suggests that, despite our societal “progress,” the health and dignity of menstruating individuals remain a low priority in our national discourse.
This is indeed the national issues, where as of now the Nine Judge Constitution Bench led by CJI Surya Kant of Supreme Court of India is hearing the Sabrimala Temple case regarding women’s entry, particularly during Menstrual and religious freedom.
The infrastructure on the ground tells a similarly disappointing story. In most educational institutions, sanitary napkin dispensers—where they exist at all—are frequently empty, broken, or neglected. This is not merely a logistical failure; it is a form of institutional negligence that disrupts a student’s right to an uninterrupted education and basic physical comfort.
Furthermore, the deep-seated social stigma continues to manifest in our daily interactions. The common practice of shopkeepers wrapping sanitary products in black plastic or old newspapers as if they were contraband is a stark reminder that menstruation is still viewed through a lens of shame.
It is high time we transition from “hiding” menstruation to highlighting it as a matter of public health, gender equality, and human dignity. I urge the concerned authorities to:
• Mandate comprehensive menstrual health education in the school curriculum, more so in the Co-educational institutions.
• Ensure the consistent supply and maintenance of hygiene products in all public and educational buildings.
• Launch community-driven campaigns to dismantle the social taboos that hinder progress.
I hope your publication will serve as a catalyst for this necessary change, prompting the authorities to move beyond policy gaps and toward meaningful action.
Yours sincerely,
Amanika Bhusal
Shillong
An Insightful Discourse
Editor,
I wish to sincerely commend the thought-provoking article titled “When Women Ruled? Reclaiming Khasi Political Traditions” by Bhogtoram Mawroh, published on 29th April, 2026, in your esteemed daily.
It was truly interesting to go through the write-up, which is both informative and engaging. The author has beautifully brought together history and folklore, giving readers much to think about. What impressed me most was the discussion on women’s participation in politics, clearly showing that women have long held important positions in Khasi society.
The reference to the 1835 Report on the Eastern Frontier of British India by R. Boileau Pemberton adds strong support to the argument. It shows that women were not just silent observers but active participants, even eligible for the post of Syiem. The account of women’s role in the early formation of Hima Shillong further makes it clear that leadership was not limited to men.
The article also gently highlights certain cultural practices that may have affected women negatively over time. At the same time, it rightly suggests that these practices may not reflect the true spirit of Khasi traditions, which originally gave women respect and an important place in society.
What makes this article stand out is its balanced approach. It does not call for sudden changes that may disturb traditions, but instead suggests going back to the roots and reviving the positive values that already existed. This thoughtful approach respects cultural sentiments while also encouraging progress.
In today’s time, when discussions on gender often create confusion between tradition and modern ideas, this article reminds us that sometimes the best way forward is to learn from our own past.
I appreciate the author for this meaningful contribution and thank your publication for sharing such valuable perspectives with readers.
Yours etc.,
Jairaj,
Via email
