Editor,
I think all sitting MPs and MLAs, particularly the tribals, in the north east and for that matter, everywhere else in this country, should make it a point to vote for Mr. PA Sangma, shedding all inhibitions of political affiliations. We need to remember here that, we, the tribals have one very important social obligation to one another and that is to ensure that our tribal identity is safeguarded and what better way to do it than to ensure that a tribal is elected as the president of this nation. In the given background, it therefore, pains me to see that our own Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma, is saying otherwise. He himself being a Garo should be all the more happy, to see that a fellow member of his tribe and community is standing and aspiring for the highest post of that of the President of this country. As a matter of fact, Dr Mukul Sangma himself should lead the way in inviting other fellow tribals to vote for Mr. Sangma. Whatever others may have to say on the issue, there is no denying that P.A. Sangma has been able to generate unprecedented good will and political support from major political parties of this nation, for his candidature. And mind you, given the present political scenario and the fact that various political parties including the BJP.AIDMK, Biju Janata Dal, etc., have extended their support to the candidature of Mr. Sangma there is now a clear possibility of Mr. Sangma becoming the next president of this country. Clearly, we now have the necessary political leverage to ensure that a fellow tribal is elected to the highest political post of this nation. We might not get a second chance. So come on, wake up, you MPs and MLAs. Do a hard listening to your conscience and vote for P.A. Sangma. In the light of the circumstances mentioned, for Dr. Mukul Sangma to have dubbed the efforts of P.A. Sangma, simply as an act of desperation, is therefore, an absolute disgrace to the Garo community as a whole and to the tribal fraternity of this nation in general. Even conceding the fact that, these two guys have their political differences, it was, most certainly unbecoming of Dr Mukul Sangma, to have said so, more so, when he sees himself as, belonging to the Garo tribe and community. How does “Shri. P.A. Sangma, President of India,” sound anyway? Honestly speaking, to me, it sounds real nice.
Yours etc.,
Urikar Sangma,
Via email
II
Editor,
Much has been written on the topic of India’s Presidential election scheduled to be held soon. I was speculating as to how Purno Sangma claims to represent the tribal community in India – when such mandate was never obtained or any kind of referendum held. After failing to garner the much needed support from his very own party – the NCP, Mr Sangma has rather preferred to resign ! Thereafter he propagated the idea of representing the 100 million tribals. When a fellow tribal leader late G G Swell was contesting the Presidential election, Sangma never supported him for an obligation to a certain political party, despite the fact that late Swell was very much a tribal. So far none of the tribal leaders from the Northeast have come out openly in support of Purno Sangma or for that matter even tribal chiefs like the Nokmas , Syiems, etc., from his home State or elsewhere in India. How on earth does Sangma assert that he represents tribals? By all calculations, though Sangma is in the fray ( unlike the wise Dr Abdul Kalam – the former President) he is for certain, fighting a losing battle. The total electoral college ( comprising of MPs and MLAs ) for electing the President comes to 10 , 98 , 882 and although Sangma is bagged by the NDA and other non-UPA parties, his tally is still very much short of a majority in the race to Raisina Hill. After deserting the INC & NCP , now Sangma seems to be heading for a third blunder! Is this tribalism or egoism?
Yours etc.,
Cliff R Sohtun
Shillong -793006 .
Law is equal for all
Editor,
It is awfully disturbing to see the VIP’s, VVIP’s and Police authorities violating the traffic laws by overriding the traffic signal paying no heed to ‘ONE WAY’, ‘KEEP LEFT,’ NO PARKING signs etc., sequentially creating not only inconvenience but sometimes even frightful results to the other vehicles plying on the road which include learners, ladies and lots of school children being driven to and from their respective schools.
Today I faced a scenario where a VIP’s vehicle (Daewoo Cielo) paid no heed to the ‘KEEP LEFT SIGN’ at Rhino Traffic Signal and turned right without any signal or indication to turn right thereby setting a bad example for vehicles following from behind. If all vehicles have to respect the traffic laws, then why not the VIPs? What is more surprisingly is that the Traffic Police on duty at the respective signal was saluting the VIP who is a violator of the law. The Traffic personnel should have acted as per law and issued a summon slip for violating the traffic sign since we are repeatedly told that that Law is equal for all. I wonder whether VIPs have some separate Constitution or some other statute or whether the concerned driver is illiterate and cannot read the keep left sign or whether the concerned VIP sitting inside the vehicle is ignorant and not responsible enough to teach the driver not to violate the traffic laws as it is for the safety of all. However, this particular case is not the only one breaking the law; even private vehicles belonging to the police personnel also commit such violations backed by their colleagues. As such it is my sincere request to all the VIP’s, VVIP’s, Police Personnel and all drivers not to violate the traffic signals which are intended for the safety of people at large.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request