Perplexing model code curbs
During Panchayat, Zilla Parishad, Assembly or Parliamentary/general elections, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) kicks in. But the MCC is at times applied to stop routine administrative and civil works. On March 12, 2024, the Directorate of Education (DoE) had advertised 58 contractual posts for the National Skill Qualification Framework. The interviews scheduled for May 8-9 were cancelled because of the MCC during the long-stretched general elections. How was the DoE unaware of this fact when it advertised, called for applications, screened them and informed candidates of interview dates? This led to a waste of time and resources, and candidates were left tense and anxious. E-buses were to ply from January 19, 2024, in Panaji and its suburbs but were postponed to April 1 and then to June. One reason cited was the enforcement of the MCC for the upcoming general elections. In contrast, Smart City works continued in Panaji. The Goa Staff Selection Commission notified that the advertisement dated March 7, 2024, for 33 assistant teacher posts was withdrawn because of the MCC. The MCC disallows the serving of liquor beyond 11 pm. In April 2019, a resort was permitted to serve liquor till 1.30 am for the Goa Fest because it had been advertised in April 2018, people were invited, and Rs 3.5 crore had been spent. Would a birthday party or wedding be allowed to serve liquor beyond the time limit if the event was planned months in advance? The list of activities permitted during the election period should be properly notified. Once elections are over in a State or part of a State (that has multiple phases of polling), the MCC should be withdrawn so that daily work can continue. More than a Model Code, there should be a Moral Code of Conduct to stop unrealistic promises being made during rallies. No politicians should use government and corporate resources, machinery and personnel for canvassing. The ECI/SEC could implement these measures rather than halting vital works under the MCC.
Sridhar D Iyer, Caranzalem
The dowry bane
The tradition of dowry is stifling middle-class families, cloaked as a gift and social expectation. Before the birth of a female child, discussions take place in homes and, at times, even foeticide occurs. The high demand for dowry is causing anxiety, depression, suicide and many other mental health issues. This cross-cultural evil is eating into the very vitals of society, serving as a status marker. It is incumbent upon society to dismantle this cancerous disease by focusing on a strong domestic life system rather than the demand for dowry. It is essential to ingrain values and the true purpose of life through quality education, including lessons on domestic life.
Nadeem Aasim, Moradabad
Battle for survival
After reuniting for the cause of the Marathi language, the estranged Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj, have now come together to protect the ‘Marathi manoos’ in Maharashtra. The two also want to “save Mumbai and Maharashtra”, whatever that means, although it is not difficult to fathom that they are fighting a battle for survival. With the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls around the corner, political exigency appears to have pushed the two to try their luck together at the polls. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray is in the doldrums and is fighting to remain relevant. Breakaway Sena leader Eknath Shinde is unexpectedly doing well, and there are no fresh issues for the 65-year-old leader to tackle. Raj Thackeray, on the other hand, does not appear politically ambitious and seems content throwing punches at politicians through his mesmerising oratorical skills. Whether the two, who have come together after two decades, will remain united remains the big question.
Ganapathi Bhat, Akola
Unwarranted comparison
Veteran politician and cricket enthusiast Shashi Tharoor was not only gaga over Bihar’s Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 190 (84), with 16 fours and 15 sixes, in the Vijay Hazare Trophy against Arunachal Pradesh, but also summed up the excitement around the teenager with a bold comparison to master blaster Sachin Tendulkar. No doubt, he also holds the record for the highest score by an Indian in Under-19 Asia Cup history, scoring 171 off 95 balls against the UAE. He has already scored centuries against Australia U-19 and for India A, including a jaw-dropping 144 off 42 balls in the Rising Stars Asia Cup. But his failure against Pakistan and in other matches of the Under-19 Asia Cup proves that early promise does not guarantee lasting success. For young prodigies, the weight of expectation often arrives long before the strength to carry it. Do not forget that for every Sachin Tendulkar, there is a Vinod Kambli — not because of talent, but because of the small world of cricket known as the gentleman’s game, which Tendulkar followed strictly. Sachin’s technique was compact compared to Sooryavanshi’s. He might be a good one-day and T20 player, but he appears doubtful for cricket’s original format, Tests.
Bidyut K. Chatterjee, Faridabad
