Editor,
My helper, Madhuri Hasta who came to me of her free will, was coerced into leaving by her former employers. On April 6, 2011, I was informed by a neighbourhood shop keeper that two Adivasi girls(working in the same household) were seeking a change in employment. On seeing them I chose the adult girl who reported to my house the following evening ie 7th April. On 13th August at around 9 pm a couple walked into my house (one Mr Wadlihok Nongrum and his wife of Cleve colony).Without a by your leave the woman started calling me names, accusing me of stealing her maid, threatening me with police action while all the while it was she who was committing one offence after another… trespass and intimidation! She even told the helper that she would be stoned if she went back home! The man who was a silent spectator then spoke up telling me that since the girls had been handed over to his household he was answerable to the Adivasi gaon burra who collected their pay and assured me that he would send them back home. Well that has not happened!! The minor girl has still not been contacted and my helper has not been sent back to Nongpoh either.! I have a few questions to ask and loose ends to tie. Why did this couple not report matters to the police when two girls in their employ went missing? Why did they not call up before coming ? Why did they barge into my home at night, after five months? Surely things could have been handled with finesse in broad daylight? Such behavior is unbecoming in a civilized society and more so from a bureaucrat in my homeland ! Also, I had started a fixed deposit for my helper and seek your help in handing over that money since despite sending feelers I have not heard from these people.
Yours etc.,
Dr Arundhoti Datta
Shillong -3
Is Dr Mukul serious?
Editor,
The statement made by Dr. Mukul Sangma stating that the Congress government is serious in rooting out corruption feels like a joke. Coming to our state, many times the press has reportedly published news of scams and irregularities by politicians and officials like the fake TA scam and yet not one them is behind bars. The current crisis of the party is having corrupt individuals within its own ranks. The situation that has put people like A.Raja, Kalmadi and others in jail was due to the vigilant and investigative efforts by the media or else no one would have known. So if at all Dr. Manmohan Singh’s government is serious then the same should be shown by agreeing to bring the Jan Lokpal Bill without delay.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S.Wankhar
Shillong- 3
Individualistic society
Editor,
At the fag-end of every year, huge amounts of Central Government grants lapse religiously and are surrendered as our learned leaders and bureaucrats are not able to make use of the Union Government largesse for reasons best known to them. Dr Mukul Sangma, the present Chief Minister, it appears does not belong to this genre of administrators, as not only does he strive to get more and more funds for the State but is also trying his best to ensure utilization of the ones received and avoid such surrender of funds. I am referring to the decision to shift the Abattoir from Mawiong to Tura as it appears in your daily (19.08.2011) which makes sense given the fact that Mawiong people, or whoever matter in this connection, refuse this offer extended for so long. No prize for rightly guessing that we Khasis at least in this generation are the most individualistic society. We do not ask what we can do for our country but love to always inquire what the country can do for me, me and only me. Let us however, acknowledge the fact that there are other people even in our own State who would welcome the creation of such infrastructure whole-heartedly. Full marks to the concerned Minister in charge for the decision to alter the location of the Abattoir.
As stated correctly in your paper, the leaders in Garo Hills are relatively more dynamic and far-sighted compared to their counterpart in Eastern Meghalaya. What bothers us is the apparent nexus between the powers that be and the present butchers preventing the installation of a modern, hygienic infrastructure for the over-all benefit of the people in the city. As it is now, post introduction of the hugely popular STPS buses in the city, many local taxi drivers are biting the dust. The butchers are clever enough to learn this bitter lesson but the consequence is this ; all of us will be forced to continue to consume meat slaughtered at unscientific and dirty slaughter places.
Yours etc.,
Ms A G Syiemiong,
Via email