Editor,
There maybe many viewpoints on this subject matter but this comes from the experience of walking Shillong the common man’s way. It’s very disappointing that most of the over bridges are being used for nothing at all or are situated at areas not required at all. For instance the bridge at Dhankheti point seems like a viewpoint for travellers, most times for miscreants, what with bags and luggage found where the bomb squad had to be informed. It was a false alarm…but why won’t anyone see the uselessness of such bridges ? We have a whole lot of architects and engineers in our very own society. Why can’t a little more thinking and planning be involved prior to building useless bridges ? The traffic is increasing day by day; there is no stopping that. But what about the poor pedestrians who have no choice but to walk the walk of life each day? We need some good bridges for the safety of the people at large. The roads are narrow, the traffic is increasing every day and school going children do not have a choice but to cross roads while risking their very lives. The Traffic Department is doing its job well but maybe a little more thinking can make the city look and feel better especially when it comes to the safety of the people on the roads every day. Bridges could be built at various heavy duty areas. It will ease the traffic jam and the human jam at large. Wishful thinking that some people are with me on this point.
Yours etc.,
Kenyir Olga,
Via email
Where are the boys’ colleges?
Editor,
Regarding students and parents queuing for admission at various colleges in the heart of city, the questions to the college administrators of Shillong is – ‘Where are the boys’ colleges in Shillong?’ Why did all the boys’ (only) colleges in Shillong convert to co-educational institutions? Where will boys take admission? Why do girls have more advantage than boys? Students scoring second division marks cannot even get admission for a pass course. The fact is that girls score higher percentages than girls. It is true that government proposes equal education to boys and girls in any institution but there are several colleges for girls’ only in Shillong for e.g. Lady Keane, St. Mary’s, St. Margaret’s etc., whereas St Edmund’s and St. Anthony’s which were once only for boy have now become co-educational institutions. Is this not a bias against male students. No doubt it’s a stage of competition but I have observed that it’s very difficult for boys to get admission especially when their aggregate is low but for girls I don’t think it’s an issue because girls’ colleges are also there. So who really thinks and cares about the future of male students? This is not a criticism but a plea that education should be made for equal and for that we need to have colleges for male students only.
Yours etc.,
Ipshata Saha,
Via email
Of specious arguments
Editor,
Of late there has been a huge uproar over the banning of tinted glasses by the Supreme Court. One has to step back and listen to both sides of the story then make an unbiased decision. The reason for tinted glasses being beneficial, especially for the safety of women folk is ludicrous. The logic behind this seems to be very irrational. Most rapes and murders are committed by people known to the victim which means that even if the car had tinted glasses the victimizer would know who would be behind the tints, and since the car has tinted windows it would be easier to commit the crime behind the those tinted glasses.
The second illogical question being posed by certain members of the public is, why the cops are coming down so hard on the cars with tinted glasses and the government being slow to implement the compulsory registration of marriages act. Should we not be lauding the efforts of the police and the DGP and asking the government to take this as an example to expedite the implementation of the marriage registration act. It has become a trend for us to criticize and put down every effort made by the government and at the same time protest that there is no governance. However, the fact is that it is not possible to please everybody in a democracy.
As a closing statement I would urge everyone to take up more pressing matters like the implementation of better health care, to look at the degradation of the environment etc. rather than getting so worked up about having to remove the tinted glasses from our cars.
Yours etc.,
Jonathan Iangrai,
Via email