Editor,
Apropos the letter, “Tura Municipality has failed” (ST April 4, 2012) by Tengsrang S K Marak, I would like to point out the actions taken by Tura Municipality and District administration on the violators of law against certain acts while showing partiality to some. Though delayed, the action taken by the District Administration to fine the public for polluting the river/ streams and the Municipal Administration for taking strong action against people rearing pigs/cattle/goats etc is welcome but it has to be taken to its logical conclusion. Errant parties must not be let off the hook after paying some token penalty. Human life is priceless and those responsible should be made to realize that. But it is very unfortunate that such actions are taken only in certain pockets of the town against certain people. There are many in other localities such as Mohoripara where the Chief Executive Officer of Tura Municipal Board himself, is causing public nuisance by rearing goats etc inside his residential premises. Questions are being raised as to why notices are slapped on ordinary residents of Tura Town while remaining blind to similar offences committed by bureaucrats, high officials, politicians. Why is action not taken against them under the relevant acts and laws? Practicing what one preaches is the best example to set for others.
Yours etc.,
Jason Pakrim Sangma,
Chandmary, Tura
Of sundry articles
Editor,
Of late, The Shillong Times editorial page has featured a number of articles on diverse subjects written by research scholars, environmentalists, priests, retired civil servants and other renowned persons. On many occasions, it has been observed that such articles contain wrong information which tantamount to distortion of facts. I am not trying to discourage any person from writing in case it happens to be his/her hobby but I feel that articles should be published only after ascertaining and verifying the facts and figures of the subject matter especially when they are not related to the field of work of the writers.
To quote some examples, the article titled “Missing the Woods…………?” (ST April 3, 2012) contains certain misleading information on matters concerning use of charcoal as a substitute by the ferro- alloy industries. Like wise we saw articles on the Aquaculture mission and Myntdu Leshka Project which contained certain wrong information which can be clearly seen from subsequent issues through rejoinders and clarifications. May I suggest that articles featured in your esteemed and well circulated daily be screened properly and thoroughly. Otherwise they would not only mislead the readers but also affect its popularity.
Yours etc.,
W Lyngdoh,
Shillong
Editor replies: Articles are usually entertained from writers on multifarious subjects because we believe that it is not the prerogative of subject experts only to wax eloquent on an issue they are well versed in. Usually such would be government officials or technocrats whose scholarly thesis is not understood by the average reader as they are steeped in jargons. It is also not the editor’s task to correct the facts in an article which is, presumably, well researched. Our task is simply to correct grammatical errors and typos.
As far as popularity is concerned, The Shillong Times is not in a popularity contest. Ours is a public service. Factual errors in an article can be pointed out by those who are competent to do so with counter-facts and figures but without malice. This leads to a healthy public debate, which is the cornerstone of democracy.