Editor,
The Shillong times has been doing a great job for the past several decades in exposing scams, corruption, pathetic governance, self consumed politicians, idiotic and baseless comments of our leaders. Now our leaders are getting from bad to worse. They care a damn about the state and where it is heading. I think we the people should start becoming more creative and active in safeguarding the future of our younger generation. Bindo Lanong has been grabbing the headlines for his stand on ‘eco-friendly cement companies’ and coal miners with brilliant comments on the Lukha river. His vision is, “we need more cement companies in the state, more unscientific mining, and more trucks plying on our very wide roads”. Can our leaders think beyond cement and coal in terms of development or are these the only methods to make a quick buck for their pockets? No matter how much is written and exposed by media has made no dent. Do we stop here and let our state be ruled by cement and coal barons and by dumb politicians?
Here is a thought that might make a difference in the near future, with technology and connectivity making the globe smaller. I believe many of us here in Shillong are well connected and networked with many around the globe. We have brilliant minds from the state settled in different parts of India and the world. Let’s start using our contacts to get in touch with them and with national media houses, social organisations, environmental groups, animal activists and start exposing our sad state of affairs. Our forests are being abused and raped. Our BPL families are exploited. The colour of our rivers have changed. I am sure the rest of the world would like to see what the Scotland of the East really looks like. Channels like Times Now, CNN, BBC, National Geographic, Animal Planet and might like to report about the eco- friendly cement companies, the worlds first blue colour river etc. These are huge selling points for them. We may be a global and national shame but I guess the buck has to stop somewhere. We need to safeguard what’s left. So SHILLONG start recording, clicking and get online. Start emailing and tweeting. Get your story out on facebook, Youtube, MMS. Let’s wait and watch what happens! Messrs Wandell Passah , Rudi Warjri, are you game?
Yours etc.,
Nehemiah Lyngdoh,
Via email
No compensation this!
Editor,
The State Government’s decision to compensate rape and human trafficking victims with an amount of Rs 50,000 under the Meghalaya Victim Compensation Scheme maybe a welcome move but it is cold comfort for the victims. Can money compensate the trauma of rape or violation? Day after day we read news of rape, molestation and abuse even in our matrilineal society. While the State Government has readily approved the compensation to be extended to the victims what is crucial is for the authorities concerned to book the offenders and give them exemplary punishment so that such heinous crimes are eradicated. Speedy justice through fast track courts should be delivered so that the offender is punished and others are deterred. Prolonging the verdict of a rape case is justice denied.
Yours etc.,
Dr Jenniefer Dkhar,
Shillong-4
Other roads need attention too!
Editor,
Much has been talked about improving the G.S. Road and the roads leading to Jowai but little is heard about other roads like the one leading out of Shillong to Upper Shillong and on to Sohra which, at the moment, is one of the most dangerous roads to drive on. With thousands of vehicles plying on this narrow road with it’s many sharp and inclined bends, unless something is done soon, accidents like the one that happened near the Umshyrpi bridge the other day will continue. There may even come a time when the road will not be able to cope with the ever increasing traffic. It is noticed that a pavement is being constructed along the road beyond the Umshyrpi bridge by encroaching onto the road space which is ridiculous. This has reduced the width of the already narrow road. Could the sidewalk not have been made on the outside of the road? With modern technology this could easily have been done. The government should also initiate talks with the army authorities to donate some land along the side of the road so that the present road could be widened by a couple of meters. This is of utmost importance. In the meantime some measures could be undertaken to make the present road a little more motorist friendly by improving the areas in between the sharp bends( on a sharp bend one sees that the area between the two arms of the road remains ‘ kutcha ‘ and a lot of useful road-space is wasted). These areas could be filled up, levelled off and be black-topped so that they become part of the road and vehicles can then ply on them. This will be a big help. Can we request the powers that be and the state PWD to look into this?
Yours etc.,
DM Pariat.
Shillong – 3
