Editor,
The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya seems to have committed a blunder by declaring three new districts since now all the eight civil subdivisions in Meghalaya are demanding for a district of their own. No government can afford to appease all demands. During this election tempo where each and every political party and political aspirants would attempt to take the issue in the forefront the Chief minister is now in a fix about whose pressures to succumb to and to whom to turn a deaf ear to. People of Mairang-Kynshi- Nongstoin area are now facing harassment by the road block organized by various rowdy political elements demanding new district. Declaring new districts on the eve of election year is never a prudent idea. Taking a cue from 1992 when Ri Bhoi was declared a district by DD Lapang and the next year (1993) he was unceremoniously retrenched from Nongpoh constituency. We know very well that the financial position of our state is not overflowing and that we could just manage to paying salaries to government employees. The State government could not clear contractor bills pending since several years. No funds to repair government buildings, shabby GAD buildings at Sohra, the condition of PHCs/CHCs are glaring examples. So the financial position of Meghalaya is still RED. The claim that we can create new districts because the financial situation is good is a false claim. Expenses for creation of new districts has to be met from cuts from the development departments of the government. It is not too late for the Chief Minister to retract his statement. In fact he will be highly praised if he announces “NO NEW DISTRICT” in view of the clamour demanding a new district every where and the Government’s inability to do so.
Yours etc
Badon,
Shillong-4.
Sachin’s 100th ton?
Editor,
What is being projected as Sachin Tendulkar’s 100th international ton is essentially his 49th ODI century! By clubbing all Test and ODI centuries of Sachin together, it is being established that his innings of 152 against the minnows Namibia at Peitermaritzburg during 2003 World Cup is at par with his innings of 148 not out at Sydney Test against the mighty Australians in 1992! If this is indeed an “honour” or another “feather in the cap” of Sachin, then so be it! Now that the “Master” has at last come up with that elusive 100th ton against Bangladesh, which often gets vanquished by Zimbabawe also, we will cleverly, zealously and “patriotically” forget his consistent drastic failures in both Tests and ODIs through series after series and also not mind a bit even if India fails to win the Asia Cup! After all personal milestones and statistical jugglery get accorded much higher priority than the welfare of the team in this cricket-fanatic nation named India! So, we will definitely rejoice over a personal record by completing ignoring the hard reality that the “mighty” Indians have got defeated atrociously by the “lowly” Bangladeshis who might fare poorly as far as hype is concerned, but possesses a much larger and braver heart than the pusillanimous Indians. Since the selfish dream of the spent-force has ultimately got fulfilled at the expense of interests of the team, Sachin should call it a day immediately after the ongoing Asia Cup and pave the way for new blood. Else he should be promptly sacked from the team. However, it is too much to be expected from the hypocrite selectors and BCCI mandarins who do not hesitate to barbarically force the “aged” Sourav Ganguly to quit the arena in 2008 despite the southpaw’s average of 54 in his last Test series; but allow the “kid” Sachin the luxury of retiring on his own terms, even in 2012, despite a string of scandalous failures!
Yours etc.,
Kajal Chatterjee,
Kolkata
Why a Plain Belt District?
Editor
Much is being talked about the plain belt district demand meet at Bhaitbari ostensibly being organised and spearheaded by the so called SWA, a non tribal organisation. It seems the whole exercise is nothing but a publicity stunt by some politicians/wannabe politicians in order to gain political mileage ahead of the state assembly elections. In case it is serious, how come the SWA could go about demanding such a thing like a plain belt district without taking into confidence the tribal people living in the region? The demand is purely communal and totally unacceptable as it is bound to have social ramifications. Hence I do not see the demand materialising in the foreseeable future, unless Dr Mukul Sangma the CM, decides otherwise and chooses to ignore the West Khasi Hills yet again. But that can happen only if Dr Mukul remains as CM till then. Only time will tell.
Yours etc.,
Nijum Sangma
Balachanda,
Rajabala