Editor,
Thirty years ago or so my good classmate Bedi and I walked side by side each evening on our way home from St. Edmunds’ School with enough shoulder room even for the ladies from Loreto Convent to brush past us without having to skip onto the Jowai Road. All that changed when “some genius” put up the grilled railings alongside, all across town presumably to prevent pedestrians from obstructing the smooth flow of traffic by crossing hither & thither. Then came the advertising posts – wonder that have encroached on the already narrow footpaths. What next ? Ahh tiles ! What a joy for a smooth stroll – thank you Urban Affairs Minister, but no thanks. Please have the redundant grilled railings & signposts removed, as you’ve got done in your pet Laitumkhrah decongestion project. The Railings serve no purpose as Shillong Traffic doesn’t flow anymore and I’m sure we’ve not had any major accidents in town due to pedestrians jay walking on sections without the railings. The signposts have no business being on foot paths and were removed by the CEO Municipal on the orders of the Chief Secretary on 31st March 2009 from the IGP to Khyndailad Point and a few years later from the Don Bosco Technical School stretch – both of which should also be tiled on priority as these are the highest pedestrian traffic areas in town. Funds ? Perhaps the CM may be convinced to postpone the construction of the new DIPR office which by the way is functioning just as well out of one floor of an RCC building as it was out the Assam Type Heritage Office.
Yours etc.,
Gagan Jain
Via email
Matriliny and alcoholism
Editor,
Michael Syiem in one of his well written articles tried to establish a co-relation between alcoholism and the plight of Khasi men with the matrilineal system.The heaviest of drinkers among Indian states is Kerala according to data released by WHO and income seems to be the most influencing factor in encouraging the drinking binge.So a careful study must be taken up in Meghalaya before we can come to any conclusion. What the Mait Shaphrang Movement has been fighting for all along is for equitable distribution of income which is what every right minded person should support. A positive correlation in statistical terms indicates a relationship between x and y variables such that as values for x increases value for y also increases.Our failure to establish a foothold in business could intrinsically be linked to lack of capital. What every entrepreneur needs is some capital before any start up. Financial support from financial institutions will come into play later.Therefore an equitable distribution of income will make our young men more business minded.Gurcharan Das in his book,”India Unbound” points out the reason why Marwaris are ahead of others in terms of business.They have a support system that is spread throughout the country which makes it possible for them to financially support each other in terms of needs. We need to build a support system to encourage our young men and women to have an enterprising spirit and giving them a share of the income is a step in the right direction.
Yours etc.,
Gary M A Marbaniang,
Via email