Editor,
The national highway to Silchar passing through many important locations is of vital importance considering the continuous movement of different types of vehicles ranging from goods carrier to passengers. The recent back to back accidents occurring at different intervals between Shillong and Jowai caused by reckless and rash driving by trucks loaded with goods and other materials needs serious public notice and the attention of the High Court through a PIL due to the unprecedented loss of human lives that happens off and on due to inaction on the part of the state government. Unfortunately we have the transport and police department which hardly does surprise checks on traffic violation and road safety rules. The transport department does not conduct checks on the age group of truck drivers, not to mention the validity of their papers and permits, while the so called ‘highway patrol’ of the state police which was said to be useful on the highways have just vanished from the scene. All of this has led to severe if not unimaginable accidents. This letter calls for serious introspection from the government authorities and not just passing the buck. We need a stronger ombudsman to tend to the grievances of the common man than just relying on the authorities. For now road accidents would keep pouring till something effective is in place.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S Wankhar,
Shillong-3
Looking South to Bangladesh!
Editor,
Kudos to the Government for the initiative taken up to reopen the Border Haats. It’s good news for the people of Ri War and other parts of the state. I just can’t forget this day because the reopening of Border Haats was one of the seminars that took place at St. Edmunds’ College 2009, known as “Look South Policy from Meghalaya’s perspective”. I’m encouraged to know that the seminars that we had as students were not a waste. It took at least three years for the Government to implement it. Hats off to those who have taken the initiative to make this happen! As students, we should know that seminars which are held at different places aren’t just a social gathering but there are some things that can be achieved with time and patience. I would encourage my fellow students to be more open and interactive at seminars because we never know when an idea can take shape and bear fruit.
Yours etc.,
Aiborlang Andrew Chyne,
New Delhi, Via email
Let’s preserve our heritage!
Editor,
These two words ”no time” seem to be the accepted vocabulary today. True, the pace of life is much faster, but, fast as life may be, I do not think the ‘no time’ excuse prevails and we cannot absolve ourselves from neglecting our past and our heritage. I fully endorse what Bah Wandell Passah had written in his letter ‘Let’s honour the dead’ ( ST July 23). We must make time to honour those brave men of the 26th Labour Corp who, rightly or wrongly, believed in what they were doing when they travelled to the battle fields of France during the 1st World War at the directive of the then British government. Many of them did not return. For that matter, leaving the honour part aside, when do we have the time or make the effort to preserve important aspects of our past, be they monuments, forests, rivers, buildings etc? The only guiding ‘principle’ nowadays is ‘to hell with the past,’ as long as there is something in it for me. Our political leaders should also think of preserving the links that connect us to our roots. We have a Chief Minister who seems to be very committed to the development of the State. His speech given at the recent function organised by the Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority was impressive and showed commitment – so, can we, as concerned citizens, request the Chief Minister to also look into the aspects of preservation of historical links by taking steps to enact a Heritage Bill as soon as possible? This is the only way of preserving what is left of Shillong, or for that matter, other towns in Meghalaya. Without their quaint buildings and greenery we will only have concrete jungles. We therefore urge our dynamic CM to take an interest in our heritage for which future generations will be forever grateful to him.
Yours etc.,
DM Pariat,
Shillong -3