The General English Language Teaching programme, populary known as the 'GELT', which I have just followed, is a course designed to teach English to newly selected university entrants. The course is organized by the University Grants Commission and is held at centres spread throughout the country. These centres are established in such a manner that even students from remote areas can come and attend their classes daily from home on an ordinary travel routine. They are also paid an allowance for attending these classes. The aim is to help them improve their knowledge of English to the required standard prior to entering their respective faculties in the university.
Apart from improving on one's language skills, there are other benefits one can accrue from this course. To mention a few, there are the monthly concerts where students are encouraged in the production and presentation of their own creative performances like dramas, songs, speeches, dialogues etc., on stage. These acts are all done in English. Most of these acts are in group form and are found to be interesting and enjoyable. Further, they help students to overcome their stage-fear and apprehension. Then, there are the occasional outings which are so entertaining and informative. The organizing of these trips is mainly handled by the students themselves while teachers take part in providing them with the necessary guidance. Another interesting feature of this course is the project exercise. This again is a group assignment. A group is required to do an in-depth study on a given subject like, for instance, 'Environment Pollution' and make out a manuscript journal with information collected from possible relevant sources. This of course, is a very competitive exercise though some students, as is always the case, tend to become lethargic in their attitudes, while others work with enthusiasm.
There seems to be substantial press coverage about a recent visit to a particular business premises by the Customs Department officials. Charges were levelled against the officers who conducted the investigations that they had caused unnecessary and serious disruption to the work in the office and had harassed the employees of the company.
My experience in the Department of Inland Revenue for nearly thirty years tells me that when an investigation or a search of a residence or a business is conducted, two types of people emerge instantly. Those who generously or reluctantly admit lapses in accounting and failure to comply with provisions in the law are one. They show willingness to pay any legitimate additional tax due under the Act. The other category is those who feel hurt that their pride is dented whether they are legally liable or not to pay any additional tax.
The first category of people are very accommodating and do feel shy and guilty of any lapse or violation of the law. So they co-operate with the Department to bring their tax matters up to date whether they are liable or not for any additional tax. The latter category of people whether there is non-compliance by them with the law or not, feel belittled in the presence of their clients and employees. They are offended and turn abusive and rude. They are the people who have top political, social, racial or personal connections too. Their main allegation would be that the officers were rude and, disrupted the business and harassed the empolyees. In most situations this was a ruse to cover up the shame and put the investigations off the track.
I can remember one instance of a search by the Revenue officials after which a person closely connected to a powerful Minister of a Government that had been just sworn in office, made a complaint of political victimisation and harassment to the very same Minister. The same evening he summoned all the officers involved in the search to his Ministry office. To the credit and honour of the Minister, he put just one question to the leader of the team which conducted the search. "Are you satisfied that you had sufficient information with you to warrant the search?" "Yes, Sir" the team-leader replied. "If it is so that is the end of the matter. I am sorry for the inconvenience caused", the Minister said.
The investigation went on smoothly with no interruption from anyone political or otherwise. It finally ended with the taxpayer agreeing to pay an additional tax. What matters most is whether a taxpayer is defrauding or evading Revenue; everything else is secondary, regulatory and procedural. What is important from the officers' point of view is whether they act strictly within the law, and even under grave provocation they must conduct themselves with dignity and modesty. They have the law and the conscience to protect them.
I write this to highlight a rather disgusting atmosphere which prevailed at the Kettarama stadium recently. The "invasion" of the recent cricket matches held between India and Sri Lanka by the alcohol and cigarette companies is unacceptable. By the way when did the authorities permit the sale of alcohol at Kettarama when for many years it was alcohol free? I believe every spectator both young and old has the right to enjoy the game in a conducive environment.
We as adults are in a position to understand that we do not derive any benefit from alcohol and tobacco, but that they ruin the happiness of the users and those around them. Then why do we mix alcohol and tobacco with an enjoyable event like sports?
Moreover, the industry should be ashamed of exploiting teenage children to market their products. The question arises as to whether the state should not curtail unethical promotional tactics of the industry in luring the young.
It is also noticed that the playgrounds nowadays are full of bill boards carrying alcohol advertisements. Although these products are not allowed to advertise on electronic media, the industry has now been able to advertise them indirectly as they are often shown on TV when telecasting cricket matches. Isn't there any hard and fast rule on these matters?
For the attention of the Hon. Ministers of Sports & Media for remedial action!
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