Editor,
Shillong is flooded with hawkers setting up shop as and where they find space. These hawkers make their presence felt especially in places like Khyndai Lad, Iewduh and Motphran. I had addressed the problem of hawkers in these columns several times and am now delighted that the State Government has decided to come up with a Hawkers’ policy. This would not only help ease congestion and chaos but also safeguard their rights. After all these hawkers deserve as much rights as any citizen of the state to take up any profession to support themselves and their families. However, it is equally true that they are a menace to pedestrians and vehicles as in the case of Motphran. If the state government is serious about the policy then it should rehabilitate these hawkers at a permanent place where they can sell their goods in peace and the buyers can also shop at leisure. This will certainly save the passers-by from being shouted at by the traders if they happen to step on their goods, due to constraints of space on the footpath. A permanent place for hawkers will ensure that Shillong is left clean and orderly. Take the case of Motphran which is today a hub for traders from far and near. They spread their wares around the monument. One can get almost everything from eatables to decorative pieces to posters if one simply takes a round. It is a sorry thing that a monument of reverence and importance in the hearts of all Ki Khun U Hynniew Trep Hynniew Skum is reduced to insignificance, if not oblivion.
I therefore urge the state government to take the task proposed seriously and safeguard the hawkers’ rights, as well as the monuments in particular and Shillong in general. One hopes this policy sees the light of day, soon.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Shillong-4
Khasi writers should be recognized
Editor,
Sunday’s S.T. brings good news that according to UNESCO Khasi language is safe. Recently lots of writings have come from concerned citizens suggesting ways and means to promote Khasi language. Mother tongue is the main tool to keep one’s culture alive and it is heartening to note that some English medium schools have introduced Khasi vernacular in KG classes. Last week there was felicitation of a Khasi writer by Patricia Mukhim, Editor,
The Shillong Times. Let us hope that more writers will come up in the field of folklores because unless we act fast many wonderful lore and myths will be lost forever. With the tempo and momentum picking up, I just want to tell the public that in the field of science and technology there is a book written by MS Cajee. The title of the book is “Kumno phin leh haba lip light ha ka ing jong phi” which in English reads “What to do in case of electricity failure in your house.” Published in 1988 and with a foreword by JH Kynta Executive Engineer E (Retd.) it is a book painstakingly written to help the ordinary person with no physics background to tackle problems relating to electricity in our homes. The book dedicated to Mr. Cajee’s parents contains cream of information on names and uses of electrical materials, safety precautions and tools needed. In short the author wants everyone to be electricity literate. I do hope that Mr. Cajee gets due recognition from the authorities on Khasi language and be accordingly honoured. It is the first Khasi literature ever in science and technology. If honoured, I would like Mr. Cajee to re-narrate the incident at Rangshken where in the 70’s a wedding preparation had to be conducted in the dark because the lineman of that locality (an all important person then) had removed the fuse (kit kat) and silently disappeared expecting the family to approach him with some tips to bring the much needed light
Yours etc.,
Calvin P Warbah,
Nongkrem