Editor,
It is most unfortunate that members of an organization like MTDF which is supposed to bring much needed mega buck to the state’s impoverished exchequer should display such arrogance as to challenge society by calling for a debate to convince them to reschedule their programme. Indeed one may question the standing of those who called for a debate on such an issue. It is not a debatable issue as it would only lead to lose-lose situation for both sides – a dead end, an impasse! Both sides have unwittingly allowed themselves to be guided by emotions rather than sound reason. Pragmatism is a better choice in such a situation. They ought to have been more graceful in their response to each other’s views and rights under the Constitution. Secularism does not fit into a church and religion need not resonate in an election campaign or worldly entertainment. Those who rouse wild emotions in an issue which calls for a pragmatic approach to a solution should be held responsible for the repercussions.
One curious fact that has emerged from the annual celebration of the state’s autumn festival is that it is announced at the eleventh hour before the commencement of the festival. In the present case it was announced only recently. The forum would be well-advised to see that the festival is announced well in time to enable the people to plan their itinerary in advance and to make it possible to reschedule it if some group (s) of citizens should find that it will inconvenience them.
Another fact about the festival which should be seriously debated is the state government’s largesse distributed to all such organizations as the MTDF, and other NGOs. In the case of the MTDF, we had expected to see suitable infrastructures for holding their events as the state’s autumn festival. It is time we use the R.T.I. Act to get information about how the largesse had been utilized. What infrastructure has the MTDF created since its formation and how has it utilized the crores of rupees that might have been received by the Forum? Has the government exercised its powers and obtained information about expenditures and income of the organizations that received its largesse? In the absence of any infrastructures created by the MTDF it is prudent to probe its financial standing and activities. I hope the government will take notice of this suggestion.
Yours etc.,
Morning Star Sumer,
Shillong – 2
Is an Islamic world empire imminent?
Editor,
This is regarding the news covered by every newspaper, not excluding your esteemed daily, on the seven billionth resident of planet earth. Every Muslim is not a terrorist but almost invariably every terrorist is a Muslim. I dare say that it is not at all surprising and not a mere coincidence that it was a child born to a Muslim family near Lucknow, a Muslim pocket of India, who is one of the half-a-million babies born all over the world on the 31st of October 2011.
The fact that the birth rate is high in the countries (including India) where Muslims reside than in the rest of the world is more dangerous for the whole world in the long run than Islamic socialism, religious fanaticism or stock-piling ABC weapons, and even more important than an occasional, transitory peace treaty signed between Islamic and non-Islamic countries. Many Muslims are opposed to family planning, not to speak of Sura al-Nisa 4:3 of the ‘Holy Quran’ that permits every Muslim to have up to four wives at the same time. Sad to say that the Muslims suspect the Christians of campaigning against population boom aimed at stopping the Muslims from becoming a world majority. The number of Muslims in the world is growing twice as fast as the number of Christians while, on the other hand, the Christians only double every 54 years! Is an Islamic world empire imminent?
Yours etc.,
Omar Luther King
Delhi -110034
Much ado about Sunday
Editor,
There is so much of hue and cry made over holding of the Autumn Festival on Sunday. I fail to understand the logic behind opposing this. Its true that Sunday is the only day when people can spend quality time with their families and it was a right decision on part of MTDF to hold the concluding function of the Autumn fest on Sunday and also calling it a family day. Festivals like this give great publicity to the State and help to promote tourism. It is the need of the hour to capture the untapped tourism potential of the state. This can only be achieved by organising such events. I believe the MTDF is doing a great job by finding various ways to promote tourism in the state. So can you folks leave them alone and let them do their jobs rather than finding fault with them.
Yours etc.,
Rajesh Swarnakar,
Via email
Condolences
Editor
I want to register my heart felt condolence on the untimely demise of Stephan Leong. We were friends and I want to celebrate his exceptional life in the service of the sport of Martial Arts in Meghalaya. I feel sad that he passed away at this young age. May his soul rest in peace!
Yours etc.,
Vijay Gupta
New York