Editor,
The Government of Meghalaya has neglected a very important road of Tura that connects Ringrey market to Chitoktak via Gandrak Stream. The road has not been repaired since the Gandrak Stream Bridge got washed away by the floods three years ago. It has been a life line for the residents of the area. It was also another option to avoid the heavy traffic jams at Chandmary during school hours or when there are functions at Chandmary field. This road also leads to the highway going towards Guwahati, Shillong etc. As such the A’chik Rights Forum strongly condemns State PWD for neglecting this important link road in Tura and the Garo Hills in general.
Yours etc.,
ST Sangma,
Chairman, A’chik Rights Forum,
Tura
Umiam, towards extinction
Editor,
It is appalling to see the chaos and environmental destruction being wrought in Umiam. What was once arguably the most beautiful place in the North-East, has now been ravaged by municipal waste, silt, deforestation and unchecked dumping. A recent study by Central Pollution Control Board, India confirms that the water in the rivers Umkhrah and Umshyrpi is contaminated with sewage which is altering the biological character of Umiam lake. The water has been certified as unfit for drinking by CPCB. A CAG report has rapped the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MECL) for not initiating any steps to protect the Umiam reservoir which feeds five downstream hydro-power plants of the corporation. The government has done precious little to mitigate the issue. The powers-that-be prefer to deny that the problem exists. In fact, the Meghalaya Government has added to the problem by turning this beautiful lake into a parking lot for trucks (parked on both sides of the road) in order to “solve” their traffic problem.
There are huge potholes on the GS Road and the repair work done by the PWD has benefited only the contractors, engineers and politicians who are clearly robbing us blind. The PWD merely fills the potholes with pebbles and sand and tops it up with a thin layer of asphalt. A bit of rain is all it takes to expose the quality of the “repair work”. Interested readers could visit our Facebook page for a detailed understanding of the problem – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Umiam-Barapani/196083807118120. I also urge the ST team to give detailed coverage on this issue in your columns.
Yours etc.,
Daisy Kharkongor,
Via email
Fight for corruption begins with self
Editor,
Anna Hazare has definitely touched the entire nation with his call for a Jan Lokpal Bill. News reports, both print and electronic, very appropriately remarked that the 74 year old man had brought the government to its knees. The entire nation seemed united in support of the campaign which has the common man’s interest in view. However this letter is prompted by a conversation I had with a colleague said that corruption begins at home. Indeed, each one of us indulges in corruption at some point in our lives. It is now a trend for parents themselves to bribe their children with expensive gifts if they bring good marks in their Board/University exams.
It is good to encourage children to do well and come out with flying colours but when that encouragement turns into a bargain then it sets a bad precedence. This too is bribery and corruption. Interestingly, the young also have their views on corruption. What touched me was the perspective of a student of 2nd year, English major. She has little faith in the Anna campaign because she believes that unless man has a clear conscience no amount of fasting and fight against corruption will work. This is the need of the hour. Each individual should be guided by the moral compass to choose what is right. Unfortunately that inner voice is dead in a majority of us even as we are overwhelmed by consumerism. From politics to education nothing is based on merit; only recommendation.
If our younger generation can exercise their conscience there is hope for the future. To do so we need a societal revolution beginning at home.
Yours etc.,
Jennifer Dkhar,
Via email