Editor,
It is true that the Post Office is one of the oldest institutions in the world. But it is yet to meet the aspiration of the masses in terms of quality and sustainability. There are more than 1.55 lakh post offices in the country as claimed by the Department of Posts (DOP). If such a huge number of post offices have actually done enough good to extend the services according to their assurances and block-buster publicity on door-step banking, financial inclusion and so on and so forth, things would have been much better than they are today. This over exaggerated claim purportedly made by DOP has tarnished its own image rather than renovating their traditional services that has long been enjoyed by the customers in urban and rural areas. Many post offices even in Shillong town are prone to link-failure and technical bottle-necks, forget about the amenities to customers as extended by other banking sectors.
Post office buildings look shabby and disoriented internally and externally while their bog bosses claim to have done enough exercise in the so-called “Project Arrows POs” and modernization. Various inputs are needed to revamp and restructure post offices by providing them with latest available technologies instead of upgrading their outdated hardware with little scope for improvement.
Yours etc.,
Joshuwa Marbaniang,
Shillong-7
Restore Shillong’s glory
Editor,
Shillong is one of the most important hill stations in North East India. It was the capital of Assam during the British regime and comprised different communities. In fact, Shillong is such a uniquely beautiful place that the British selected it also as the centre for trade. But now, Shillong is losing its scenic beauty and cleanliness. Motphran, Iewmawlong, Polo etc., have now become the dirtiest places of Shillong .There is no proper drainage, ditches and even culverts. Shillong as the state capital needs proper drainage system and this should be only for the flow of rain water. Dirty water from kitchens and bathrooms should not be allowed to flow to these same ditches. They have to be separated and filtered into the ground.
Also Shillong (city) should also have a proper plan (practically) for any type of building. Proper bus and taxi stands should be built. Separate parking-lots for private cars are also very important. No one can solve the traffic-jam in Shillong if there is no proper parking lot in every important point in and around Shillong. Therefore, the Commucratic People’s Party (CPP) places its demands before the State Government of Meghalaya to prepare a plan to construct proper drainage system for the flow of rain water but not for dirty water coming from households through kitchens, bathrooms etc. The Party gives 8 (eight) months time for the Government to do this.
Yours etc.,
Dr Wansainbor A. Lyngwi
Convener CPP
Corona virus & its spread
Editor,
As the whole world is caught up in the grip of fear of being infected with the novel Corona virus, rumours are doing the rounds as to how the deadly disease began to infect people. As it was detected, the Corona virus outbreak occurred in an omnivorous wet market in Wuhan. As China is a country where people love to eat anything alive, there is the possibility of outbreak of Corona virus from certain animals. As regards the Chinese eating pattern, it is curious to learn their zest for bizarre foods and let alone the smorgasbord of delicacies that titillate their taste buds. It is certainly true that many Chinese are obsessive about freshness. Even small supermarkets commonly have fish tanks where shoppers can purchase live seafood. Eating wild animals is also considered a luxury because of their rarity and cost. Some practitioners of traditional Chinese Medicine also believe that eating exotic creatures can cure certain aliments and boost ‘male potency.’
Wild animals are, of course, especially problematic because the murky provenance makes it difficult to ensure they are free of disease. Experts say that it is hard to downplay the problematic nature of ‘wet markets’ (so named because of the large quantities of water used to slosh the floors), especially those that also sell live animals. A mixture of urine, feces and other bodily fluids from live, wild creatures ends up mixing with blood from butchered animals, providing ideal opportunities for viruses and bacteria to thrive.
Still, scientists have to confirm how the deadly Corona virus infection broke out. And China is fighting hard to contain the pandemic. With a billion plus population, China has to contain the spread of the virus as it was able to contain a similar pandemic-SARS in 2002-03. Hopefully, China will be able to contain the Corona virus too without delay.
Yours etc.,
TK Nandanan,
Via email