Editor
The elections are over. The waiting game begins. Strange as it may sound, the highlights of this election are not issues and policies or for that matter political parties and their ideologies (if they have any). Instead, it is infighting and fence jumping that dominated the pre-election scenario in the State. Take the case of the Congress where the High Command had to step in to ensure that its MLAs do not go against the official nominee of the Party. Then we see a budding lady politician jumping the fence. But what is more surprising was when I came to know of a person who canvassed for three different candidates representing three different parties in three consecutive elections. That he got applauded by the crowd each time is another marvel. I wonder what kind of principle this man has got going or is it simply as the Red Indians would say, ‘…he speaks with a forked tongue.’
Yours etc.,
Shalamer Lyngdoh,
Shillong-1.
Of silent ex-bureaucrats
Editor
It is good to see two former bureaucrats in the state often express their views on many issues through their articles and feedback in your newspaper. With their vast experience in administration while in public service, their contributions are very informative, analytical and constructive and are valuable resources for the public at large to digest and act upon. It is also a known fact that these two former bureaucrats are also very much involved in social upliftment through their active participation in social organizations. Meghalaya in general and Shillong in particular has many other retired bureaucrats and it would be beneficial to the public and to those in the government if these other bureaucrats also voice their opinions in the media either as critics or evaluators of policies and plans or as designers of propositions and ideas. This will go a long way in educating the public on what is essential and vital for our state and the way to attain them. Unfortunately, many of these ex bureaucrats choose to lie low and have failed to make their presence felt through such medium after retirement, though they are often critical on many issues during social gatherings or during chance meetings with them. In a vibrant democracy one would expect that opinions delivered through a medium which has a vast reach would create more favourable impact than closed rooms chatter or babblings within a closed circle. In a small state like ours where intellectuals and journalists are not too many one would hope that those who have been involved in many years of public administration can really make positive contributions through the media provided they are inclined to do so. I hope that the ex-bureaucrats would realize that if they make such contributions it will surely be “in the interest of public service,” a term which they are very familiar with while in government service.
Yours etc.,
D.Syiemlieh,
Via email
Election Commission on Awareness
Editor,
Your humorous report on the option “NOTA” on the EVM (ST April 8, 2014) has serious implications on the exercises undertaken by the Election Commission in Meghalaya. Indeed, majority of the voters, especially those in villages, are not aware of the meaning of the option. Here is another case of lack of awareness. On learning about the system of sending SMS to 9856066666 to obtain details of Polling Stations, a woman from a village said that these days we can vote by sending SMS to the given number.
While the efforts made by the EC to create awareness among the voters about the importance of democratic participation are undeniably commendable, the strategies, programmes and primary targeted groups are regrettable. As seen, the majority of the extravagant activities organised by the EC like kite flying, rock concerts, etc., are town and group centric. They do not serve the neediest uneducated and partially-informed people in the rural areas, or even the poor in towns. The outcome is the persistent unawareness of the majority about the facilities available before them.
Yours etc.,
Recordius Enmi Kharbani,
NEHU, Shillong
Low voter turnout
Editor,
With regards to the low voter turnout, why doesn’t the State Government make it mandatory for citizens to vote, and if they fail to do so would cost them forfeiting their EPIC Cards, instead of wasting public money on failed concerts. I think this is an extremely good and effective way to woo voters.
Yours etc.,
Shakti Laitphlang
Via email
The truth is we are all corrupt
Editor,
I congratulate Barnes Mawrie for spelling out the true nature of corruption and calling a spade a spade in his article “Corruption! Who’s to blame?”. Corruption has pervaded every aspect of our lives and we feed this monster daily with the excuse that we have no “choice” but to comply! We find it easier to bribe a clerk in a govt dept. to speed up a particular process rather than raising a hue and cry about having to pay for it. Even police officials are not averse to paying bribes to get their work done which is a crying shame and encourages the corrupt! We also think it alright to ask politicians for favours on the eve of elections which amounts to nothing more than opportunism and cheap blackmail. NGOs have been long exposed as opportunists who never pass up a chance to arm-twist politicians and common people for material gains using far-fetched ideology backed by muscle power. The ‘system’ is tweaked to favour the corrupt, courtesy the blessings of the top politicians of every party in the state. And since we are willing participants in the corruption game, we are all to blame for the rising corruption. The truth is the corrupt have nothing to fear at all since we provide our whole-hearted support to them! Unless we, the people, raise our voices and demand tangible action against corrupt people, especially politicians, bureaucrats and shady NGOs, we will continue to bemoan our fate for centuries to come. What a legacy to leave to our children!
Yours etc.,
Martha Sangma
Shillong-3