Editor,
Indian middle class is singing its magnificat. They will not vote right and strengthen democracy, but they will wangle out the best out of elected governments because of their consumers’ clout in a market economy. They know how to cut corners and exploit the loop holes of the system, but they will also go on burning midnight candles in all the ‘charalis’ at the convenient times so chosen. Like a new initiate into Internet who bemoans all the time lost before the ‘eureka’ of World Wide Web’s treasures hit him, he wants to grab all and everything from the multiple screens. Middle class is the quintessential ‘running with hares and hunting with hounds’ tribe. Corrupt practices are accepted as ‘premium’ paid for services rendered, but the problem is those premium services are not helping their bloated aspirations. The television weaned middle class youth want their TV JPMs( jolts per minute) in real time as well. They want their issues clearly articulated and concluded in 15 minute capsules with number of small and big climaxes. They want their ‘helicopter shots’ landing them in ‘moolah’ or bend the world like a Beckam’s shot-all in an instant. They have caused the TV anchors to fume and froth, manufacture confrontations and go go gaga, while glossing over real issues. History does prove the potency of the ‘Power of One’, but even that potentate has to go through the grind of time like Gandhiji and Mandela did over a period of few decades. No revolution really changed
anything; it is only the slow and steady evolution that has proven its worth. We know India’s middle class does not believe much in Mahatma’s saying ‘We must become the change we want to see in the world’, how long will they heed the new messiah? Latest statistics show that it is middle class that kills most new brides for dowry and destroys the biggest number of girl children inside and out side the womb. It is also the segment that loads the young with most intolerable pressures in their growing years. They also sing paeans for corruption busters because as a group they hedge their bets and be on the right side of every body. At least they try!
Yours etc.,
John D.Jayakumar.
Via email
Why is everyone against the interest of the people?
Editor,
The long awaited Shillong abattoir / slaughter house is now to be shifted to some other district. Reason- obscure objections to a scientific modern slaughter house for the city and its citizens. It’s ridiculous! I mean for how long will the people of this city allow themselves to be held hostage to half baked ideas by persons who literally know nothing about what they are talking about. Time and again we have been denied basic civic rights of what is rightfully ours by such unfounded fears.
Has anyone ever seen how the meat we are fed day in and day out is prepared? In 90 out of 100 cases every type of meat we consumed is washed and cleaned with water unfit for such purposes. 100 cases of meat consumed by people of Shillong is carried in the booths of taxis, the trailers of jeeps and three-wheelers. What rubbish is carried before and after is unmentionable. But no one cares. Is there any check on the health and fitness of the animals slaughtered for sale? None! In the 21st century we still depend on 12th century methods to slaughter and clean meat for consumption. It’s a bloody shame. A modern slaughter house will at least ensure that we the people are sold and we buy meat fit for human consumption. This is not happening right now. We are being fed meat unfit for humans.
When something really scary and frightening happens; when the health of the people is threatened – the so called champions of the people all go underground. Where are the so called NGOs who profess to stand for the rights of the common man. Where is the Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong? Isn’t this an issue that they should intervene in ? Of greater concern- where are the elected representatives of the city? Why are they silent on an issue that affects each and every household and kitchen? Are the city MLAs prepared to lose this vital urban facility just because they don’t care? Why is everyone silent on this socially important development? The people of Shillong need an answer. But more, they need to stand up for their rights!
Yours etc.,
Toki Blah,
President ICARE