Editor,
I am perhaps one amongst not too many ordinary Indians from the mainland who has made about half a dozen visits touching six of the eight North-Eastern sister states. Most of these visits have been made with my wife, others in the family and with our children. We have received some of the warmest welcomes anywhere in India from the people of that region. Therefore it saddened me greatly when innocent people from that region were attacked elsewhere in India, including in my city of residence, Pune. I was in Europe at that time and I felt very ashamed as a ‘mainstream’ Indian about what was happening back home.
Our image overseas is already badly dented by corruption, news of the recent unprecedented power outage anywhere in the world, industrial violence and now the panic and exodus caused by attacks on minorities. It is said that the mark of a civilised society lies in the way it treats its minorities. It is high time we Indians stop such madness and change our ways. It all begins with each one of us taking initiatives of change wherever we are and in whatever we do. Only then can we be a happy people and a respectable nation in the community of nations. I want to begin by saying sorry to our brothers and sisters of the North-East.
Yours etc.,
Kiran Gandhi
Pune
Where is the Municipality?
Editor,
Recently the local vernacular newspapers reported of a pressure group chasing and raiding illegal roadside hawkers in and around Motphran area. In a flick the entire area was cleaned and people could walk freely. The police and the district authorities instead of taking action against such illegal business since they do not pay any taxes to the government, were quick to react and looking to arrest members of the group. The question is, why is the district administration and the police ever ready to act against those who do what the authorities have failed? Why is there always a knee jerk reaction when NGOs try to put a check to such illegal activities? It seems that either the Municipality is blind or the district administration is deaf. Practically there is no place at all for pedestrians to walk and yet the government seems so eager to side with such violators. Is this wise?
Yours etc.,
Dominic S Wankhar
Shillong-3
