Editor
The ST poll results on the Sohra Eco -restoration project indicated that the majority feel the project would not achieve its objective (ST 26th October 2012). This is to be expected as, besides the fire which usually occurs every year at Sohra, it is not easy to raise trees there because of the adverse natural climatic condition and poor soil . Be that as it may, Sohra has always attracted tourists because of its name sake its picturesque barrenness which is unique and reflects its originality just like the deserts of Rajasthan attract tourists because of their own natural charm. The focus should therefore be on the tourism potential and what Sohra needs is good wide roads within the town, a few budgeted accommodations, some food courts, clean public conveniences, provision of good and efficient public transport from Shillong and within the town to prevent tourists from being fleeced by the local cabs and all the other things which would make the tourists comfortable and at home. The government would do well to concentrate on spending on these rather than on spending Rs 85 crore on the eco- restoration project which will go against what nature has originally bestowed and simply on the assumption that it is expected to yield tangible results but which ultimately may not see the light of day. . Alternatively, with that much of money, we can get good school buildings, good roads , good health facilities, payment of salaries to teachers and many other things which are of real concern for the people .
Yours etc.,
KM Syiem,
Via email
Role model
Editor,
The growing success of a young lad like Toshan Singh Nongbet in the India’s Got Talent contest is truly deserves mention and he deserves our support in different ways. His zeal to showcase his inborn talent by which he also later plans to initiate a similar school to impart a similar passion amongst the young and old alike is highly commendable. Individuals like him need to come out and be role models and inspire others in every field to bring the best out of out community and State. We all wish him the very best ahead.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S. Wankhar
Shillong
The ILP debate
Editor, ,
Notwithstanding all debates, discussion, ideas and views of several NGOs, setting up of commissions and flashing out the personal views through media (newspaper), the unrelenting words – Inner Line Permit (ILP), have so far not found any place for inclusion in both the houses (Dist Council and Meghalaya Legislative Assembly) of the state of Meghalaya as an agenda for further discussion and its fruitful implementation. I personally realize that the issue is critical subject and the Government machinery is whimsical and unable to take any decision.
For a whole month and more I have been reading about the ILP either as a news item or articles authored by different writers as well as writings in the ‘Letters to Editor columns’ but the article written by Mr A H Scott Lyngdoh, (ST October 31, 2012, is quite impressive as the author in a very precise form narrated the entire history of implementation of ILP in North East India.
The ILP can only be restricted to certain borders where a Police Outpost is located, but what about the other places where many porous borders exist? Are the general indigenous people of Meghalaya quite aware of the facts that about 1000 Km (approx.) of border is shared with a sister state as well as a foreign country still remain to be correctly aligned and the boundary pillars fixed? Keeping in mind the population explosion of the country, the job seekers of other Indian states obviously search for a place where they can be engaged either as daily labourers or in petty businesses for their livelihoods. Whether there are protests around the country, the central government at the centre is inviting foreigners to invest in the county with their major share in order to increase the GDP( Gross Domestic Product) of the country we belong to. So then why do few North Eastern states of India want to lag behind and to restrict the non-indigenous people of the same country by impractically trying to implement ILP in the states? Don’t they realise that this will have an adverse impact on revenue collection as well as modernization?
Further, through your newspaper I would like to know the views of the great intellectuals of Meghalaya on the subject matter. Or are we deliberately keeping mum and patiently waiting for a final verdict on the subject matter. But a verdict from whom?
Yours etc.,
PB Das
Shillong-3