Editor,
This is to bring to the attention of all the readers, that the Shillong airport staff went above and beyond their normal duty on July 1, 2012 when flight AI 9712 got cancelled for reasons unknown to the passengers. Those of us who travel this route are aware of the uncertainties associated with the flight and have either been through or have heard of situations that become rather painful when the flight gets cancelled. Unlike other days, heading to Guwahati on July 1 was not an option as all flights on AI and other private airlines going out of Guwahati were full. Also several of us had connecting flights out of Kolkata to other cities such as Delhi. Mr Alfred (the AI Station Head in the region) and Mr. Vishnu Dahal, not only kept the passengers calm, but also worked out a solution that was unprecedented! They struggled to get a ATR-42 plane to fly in from Guwahati. There were several challenges with this given the first time nature of the solution, the logistics surrounding it and the completely unpredictable weather that characterizes Shillong, more so during the monsoon season. In spite of all these challenges, including a thunderstorm and heavy rains that hit the Umroi area right as the plane was supposed to take off from Guwahati, this solution was implemented and all of us made it out in time for all our connecting flights. Also, the fact that the rest of the staff provided tea and biscuits to the passengers is certainly worth mentioning since the airport does not have any food facility for purchase.
This deserves a special mention for various reasons: (a) In a time of declining service quality, this stands out as a beautiful example of what the right service can do and how it can delight customers. The staff could have easily thrown their hands up (as has been seen in several instances elsewhere) and asked us to fend for ourselves (b) The staff worked under several constraints but made things happen. In fact, we went through security when the storm was at its worst. The never-give-up attitude definitely was remarkable! All the while, this was done with a smile and a service mindset. Mr. Alfred even joked with us passengers to keep us in good humour! This airport has a lot of potential. There is no reason for the Shillong passengers to schlep all the way to Guwahati, braving the roads and the traffic. A full service airport complete with instruments landing system and a bigger runway has the potential to makes things so much easier for visitors to and from Shillong. It will, needless to say, also provide good employment opportunities to the local people and will also help facilitate VIP movement through a revamped and well looked after helicopter service between Shillong and Guwahati.
Thank you once again Mr. Alfred and Mr. Dahal.
Yours etc.,
Arpita Majumder,
Via email
Abolish the District Councils!
Editor,
A serious situation has arisen to which Government of India (GoI) is turning a blind eye to. GoI is ignoring the ills that plague the noble intentions, objectives and functioning of three Autonomous District Councils under the Sixth Schedule in Meghalaya. For example why is there no amendment to debar a person from holding the position of both MLA and MDC? Is it not unethical that they draw salary and perks from both posts, that too in an age of unemployment?
Presently four prominent Councillors from the Khasi Hills District Council hold the position of MLA & MDC. They are HDR Lyngdoh, MLA/MDC, Sohiong Constituency, who is also Minister District Council Affairs (DCA), Pynshngaiñ N. Syiem, MLA/ MDC, Mawsynram Constituency, who is also Chief Executive Member (CEM), KHADC, Remington Pyngrope, MLA/MDC, Dienglieng Constituency and Deputy Chief Executive Member (Dy CEM), KHADC, Sanbor Shullai, MLA/MDC, Laban Constituency, presently the Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly. Many present and past MLAs have drawn salaries and perks from both positions at the same time. The list is long. They should be asked to return the illegal withdrawals to the ADC. It is shocking to learn that 20 out of the 30 MDCs of the KHADC including the above four MLA are likely to contest the coming 2013 MLA elections. We are yet to learn about the Garo and Jaintia Hills ADCs. The GoI spends Rs 400 crore a year to support the three District Councils in Meghalaya. They should examine options to save the Sixth Schedule from becoming irrelevant. One step may be to depoliticise or bar political parties from contesting District Council elections, along the lines of the amended Meghalaya Municipal Act 2000. The Constitution should make it mandatory for an MDC who wishes to contest the legislative assembly election to resign prior to filing his/her nomination. Similarly an MLA who wishes to contest the Council elections should first resign his/her MLA seat. Lastly, it is my opinion that a constitutional amendment should be brought in to abolish the three ADCs completely.
Your etc.,
Lamshai Lyngdoh,
Via email
Disgustingly ignorant statement!
Editor,
Apropos the news item in your paper (ST June 30, 2012) in which it was mentioned that an MLA from a particular state of India while talking about the problem of stray dogs suggested that they should all be dumped in North East India. Through these columns I wish to register my strong and unequivocal protest against the statement. The statement is not only reprehensible but an abject derogatory remark on the people of North East India. It once again shows how the mainland India treats what it would call the hinterland. This is most unbecoming of a person who is supposed to represent his state and its people. Maneka Gandhi has rightly reacted to this highly provocative statement underlining also his dis-compassion for living creatures. Such statements should be expunged from all records. Once again such an attitude of law makers and the rest of the country show how they look at what they feel are fringe realities. These instances, if they continue, will only add grievous insult to injury. I wonder how an MLA makes such an irresponsible statement and gets away with it. Moreover, the legislator has also mentioned China together with two North Eastern States. What is he trying to imply? This is a dangerous and anti-national statement.
Yours etc.,
A S Guha,
Via email