Editor,
The post election report “Gandhi dynasty’s tryst with decline” (ST 12th March 2012) is excellent. Truly the results of the election in UP and two other States is a stinking slap for India’s first family as well a jolt to a Party which defines itself by the Gandhi family rather than ideology or conviction. Rashid Kidwai is right that “the Congress Party is in decline” and he has also correctly diagnosed that the Congress has not looked for leaders beyond the Gandhis. When you have chamchas without a ‘think tank’ big ideas cannot emanate. M J Akbar’s remark is also so appropriate. Reuters rightly analyzed that the humiliating defeat for the Congress in Uttar Pradesh and two other states would further weaken the struggling coalition government led by the Congress as the country heads towards the general elections due in two years. The Congress may rally around Rahul Gandhi but it cannot afford not to draw lessons to what Reuters say “to reinvent and rebuild itself with credible regional leaders in a country where power is shifting to the States”. Courting Hindu caste votes and Muslims as vote banks will not work anymore. I think it is time to change the name of India to United States of India by having more States, if we are to assure ourselves “Unity in Diversity” as well as true Federalism.
Yours etc.,
Bajop Pyngrope
Via email
Factual errors
Editor,
Apropos the news item last captioned ‘State Govts should follow Mizoram’ (ST March 12, 2012) and the Shillong Jottings (ST March 13) captioned ‘The fishy conclave,’ it would be appropriate to make corrections on the line which says The Mizoram Accord was signed by then Prime Minister (Late) Indira Gandhi and Laldenga of the MNF. Actually the Mizoram accord was signed during the regime of (Late) Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on June 30, 1986 by R D Pradhan, Former Home Secretary representing the Govt. of India, with Laldenga representing the MNF (Mizo National Front) and Lalkhama, then Chief Secretary of Mizoram.
And to the line on the fishy conclave which says; such a huge gathering was last seen when Rahul Gandhi visited Meghalaya in 1988 at Polo Grounds. It was not Rahul Gandhi but again (Late) Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who visited Shillong in 1988 for Meghalaya’s General Election campaign. However the gathering was not at Polo Grounds but at the Garrison Ground.
Yours etc.,
Wankitbok Pohshna
Editor replies: We regret the factual errors and thank you for pointing it out to us.
Irresponsible MLAs!
Editor,
After the picture article in the ST (Mar 13, 2012) I am left dumbstruck at the lack of responsibility of the MLAs. A few questions arise in my mind. Firstly, what is the use of heaters when the days of chilly winter are over? Secondly are the MLAs not aware of the acute shortage of power in our State? Lastly, are they not the ones who constantly talk of conservation of power and resources while they themselves contribute to its wastage? Should they not be setting the example for everyone else? I find it ridiculous. I urge our MLAs to be responsible and set a good example for the common citizen.
Yours etc.,
Rahul Thapa,
Shillong
Garo Hills, I cry for you
Editor,
What is happening to Garo Hills? The once peaceful Achik hills have turned into killing fields where Garos kill fellow Garos everyday. Our hearts breaks; we cry and everyone waits for someone to shout that enough is enough, but sadly we wait in vain ! Garo Hills is silent as the grave and only the guns speak and they speak of death!
Who is killing us? Sadly its our own sons who do the killing! Why do they do it? Because they want to make money without working for it. Its as simple and as tragic as that. Our leaders refuse to act because they need murderers to win the next elections. The Church refuses to speak because it has lost the courage to speak the truth. We the people do not speak out because we daily walk in the shadow of death. That is the fate of Garo Hills.
A similar situation happened in Khasi Hills one decade ago. A tough Home Minister then and a bunch of professional police officers broke the HNLC’s back. They destroyed the groups source of finance; they hunted down the leaders and most important ,the Khasis were quick to see the HNLC for what they really were- a bunch of thugs and bandits. That sadly is not happening for Garo Hills. Today, the need of the hour is for a tough Home Minister who can lead from the front. Babbling incomprehensible nonsense will not help. The demand is for professional competence not clumsy thumb twindling. We need police officers who are not scared of criminals. Most important however, the Garos have to see the GNLA for what it really is. Its a gang of bandits, run by a bunch of criminals with no other ideology but to make blood money. The sooner we accept this fact the better it will be for all of us.
Aldos Marak
Tura