Editor,
I would like to congratulate Ri Khasi Channel and its donors for their wonderful programme “Christmas Make-over 2012”. I had tears in my eyes to see so many of our own people in such abject poverty, and they suffer silently. It is a beautiful gesture, and I keenly await this annual programme. I would urge our politicians to think and pause for a while. They live in big mansions, travel in the costliest vehicles, and still they want to accumulate more and more wealth! And that too, through unfair means Whereas the poor family from Mawngap, Marbisu work their hearts out to just put food on the table. Even the young children help their mother and walk long distances after school to crush stones. May God bless them and be with them, and also with all the poor families this Christmas.
Yours etc.,
Skhemlang Suting,
Via email
Poor laws, unsafe women
Editor,
Incidents of murder, extortion, rape are increasing day by day in our country. The powerful and mighty get away easily from the arms of law and everyone seems to enjoy the ride over the weaker sections of our society. In India, women have been considered a form of ‘Shakti’, an avatar of Maa Durga but are now defiled in broad daylight without any fear of law and God. Our society is heading for a major upheaval where humans are losing respect for one another. Despite tremendous developments and progress, we are still uncivilized in the way we treat others, especially women.
Every minute, there are reports of heinous crimes across the nation. The recent case of gang-rape of a 23 year old girl in the national capital, after which she was severely brutalized by six men, and later thrown off a moving bus, portends the degradation of human values and culture in our society. Right now, as she battles for her life, doctors say that the men who raped her, also beat her up so brutally that there is irreparable damage to her intestines.
The administrative and political capital of India is now the rape capital of our country. Delhi has become the most unsafe city for women. Apart from other crimes, incidents of rapes are a regular phenomenon in the national capital. The recent one has been more horrendous than ever and has shaken the whole nation. Thousands of people are erupting in protests resulting in a huge wave of pressure on the Government to take solid, substantial action on the issue once and for all.
Some wonder what mothers are teaching their sons now-a-days. Well, upbringing is one of the problems but one cannot deny the poor law enforcement in India. Criminals have to be penalized before crime takes deep roots in our society. The accused and perpetrators of crime must be given exemplary punishment as a deterrent. That the six rapists went about their duties like they will never be caught is a comment on the toothlessness of our rape laws and low conviction rate. This needs to change. No one should think they can commit violence against women and get away with it. But what sort of punishment should be given to the perpetrators of such crime? Death penalty or life imprisonment? Secondly, can our court system deliver justice effectively and in a time bound manner? Or will it be like any other case which is filed but remains pending for years?
Whatever punishment be given to those criminals, unless and until our court system is effective, police officials are efficient and stringent deterrents are in place, one cannot expect any positive change in the rate of crimes taking place in our society. It may not be possible to fix everything in one go, but at least we should start devising preventive measures before crime touches an alarming rate in our country.
Yours etc.,
Subash Deb,
Via email
NHRC’s unwarranted interference
Editor,
The NHRC would be advised not to take sides especially against the police. The two accused had already previously committed crimes, forcing an individual to withdraw money from ATM, stolen a Mobile as well as kidnapped a tourist taxi which could have been used for wrong purposes. If the polices’ hands are tied by uncalled for interference by NGOs who are not equipped or experts or specialised with criminal behaviour they would not be able to tackle crime. We should let the law take its own course. Do not go in where angels fear to tread.
Yours etc.,
Nesfield B Sangma
Will Shillong Club celebrate Christmas?
Editor
On 22nd December, the Tollygunge Club organized a program to celebrate the season with the Junior, Senior Tolly Trillers in a Pre- Christmas sing-along of Christmas carols and Festive songs. What amazed me was, nearly all the participants were non-Christian members of the club but, their rendering of the Christmas carols and other gospel songs were, to say the least, superb and soul searching. When will the Shillong club members organize such an event?
Merry Christmas
Yours etc.,
Micky Massar,
Kolkata