Overflowing septic tanks
Whenever there are torrential rains, some residents merrily open up the lid of their septic tanks and let their private junk turn into a public sensation without as much as a sense of shame. This can only happen in Meghalaya!
Some people who were in the middle of their dinner had to stop midway and cover their noses. They suffered severe indigestion thereafter. “Where are the rules here or are residents allowed to do what they want?” fumed a resident of Laban. But its the same everywhere. Municipal or non-municipal areas everyone does what they please. Some residents complained to the Shillong Municipal authorities but as usual they did not get a response. A resident wondered if there are clauses in the Municipal laws about not releasing the septic tank into public drains. They feared it might not even be there hence municipal authorities would not be armed with any instrument.
So they prefer to act deaf and mute. As far as non-municipal areas are concerned its “go as you please.” If the headman is not affected by the stench he will not bother whether his residents have to suffer the dreaded stench.
Speed bikers
Is there a speed limit for bikers? Not if we go by the current behaviour of these Princes of the Road.
While they endanger their own lives in Shillong’s narrow, crowded roads with nasty hairpin bends they also are dangerous for pedestrians who have to cross the streets. With the kind of speed they drive the bikers will find it hard to brake suddenly. Isn’t there a speed limit for driving within city limits and even the outskirts?
Things get more complicated when schools get over in and around Laitumkhrah and children are moving helter-skelter all over the place. Even the alert policemen find it difficult to control these machine freaks. Perhaps sterns action against a few might discipline the others. But many wonder at the couldn’t care less attitude of the young today.
When in Bengaluru do as the Kannadigas do
Some readers are very observant. When the picture of the three MLAs who were visiting the room of the Deputy Chief Minister, R Ashok appeared in this paper and Urban Affairs Minister, Ms Ampareen’s pure white socks were visible, a reader quickly messaged that “When in Rome do as the Romans do but when in Bengaluru do not enter a minister’s office with shoes on.”
That aside, the confidence building measures from both state governments of Meghalaya and Karnataka are heartening.
It is learnt that families in Pune have come out in large numbers to reassure the North Easterners that they are safe and should stay on. Some have even opened their homes for our young people.
Employers in the IT sector have said they would wait for the smart young professionals to return. Meanwhile the companies have sanctioned them 15 days leave. Beauty salons in Bengaluru are also slowing down due to the recent exodus. But the special efforts made by students and faculty of Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) to make the students feel at home in those universities is heart-warming. There is a blessing behind every tragedy!