Editor,
A Souvenir brought out to mark the occasion of the silver jubilee of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly speaks volumes on the historic events held in the Assembly Hall during these 25 glorious years of the existence of the State of Meghalaya, i.e. from 1972-1997. The write- ups contributed by the then members of the Legislative Assembly and officials speak of the smooth conduct of the Assembly sessions. What is more interesting is the discipline and decorum maintained during the sessions and lively debates of the sixty outstanding honorable members. This Assembly has successfully hosted the All India Presiding Officers’ Conference in 1974, the Commonwealth Association Conference that was held in New Delhi in 1975 and consequently, Shillong was also chosen as one of the State Capitals to hold the post Commonwealth tour for delegates. The SAARC Ministerial Meeting on Women in Development was also held in the Council Chamber of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly during May 6-8, 1986 and inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of India (L) Shri Rajiv Gandhi on the occasion. However, four years after the silver jubilee celebration, on January 9, 2001 the Assembly structure located at Khyndailad was engulfed in smoke that reduced the historic building to ashes. All concerned citizens of the country in general and North East in particular were shocked and saddened. It was more painful for the people of Meghalaya especially residents of Shillong, and thousands went to see the destruction the next day. Had it not been destroyed by a wild fire then, the Assembly would have still stood tall in the same place, attracting both domestic and foreign tourists to see the beautiful structure built way back in 1921-22.
The debate today is about the location of new Assembly building. Why not have it in its original location where the Speaker’s office is still functioning till date. Being in the heart of the state capital, centrally located and known to people across the State, the old location seems perfect. The recent shifting of the High Court to its permanent office by vacating the building and land that belong to the Assembly, is a blessing in disguise and paves the way for its befitting construction in the present site with modern architectural designs and technology, making it more spacious and easily accessible. It may be reminded that the MLA Hostel is also within the area linking it with the Assembly Secretariat by a fly-over easing the movement of the MLAs who are put up in the Hostel during the sessions apart from providing easy access to people coming to meet their representatives even from the far flung constituencies. The location is very near to the Meghalaya Secretariat and other Government offices that will be more convenient for all concerned.
Yours etc.
Cerilla Khonglah ,
via email
IGNOU faux pas
Editor,
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) did something that political India could not dream of. It listed Nagaland as a separate country in its online application site (below USA). The error was only rectified after members of the Northeast Image Manager (NIM) on Tuesday afternoon brought this to the attention of IGNOU while the finding was also circulated on a social network site. The callousness of the University is not only ridiculous but widens the question of the knowledge gap and information on this region of the country long branded as insignificant to the country’s geo-political interest. This goof-up exposes the kind of attitude that India possess towards the people of the region. For far too long we have remained secondary citizens because of our culture, religion, looks etc and this incident only seeks to perpetuate that outlook. And we are being made scapegoats for not trying hard enough to blend with the mainstream. Where is the respect and integrity in doing so if this is a one-way traffic? It is clear that the road will be long and winding.
Yours etc.,
Phrangsngi Pyrtuh
Via email