Editor,
Now that the big exercise is over and the people’s verdict is out, it is good to see that frayed tempers have calmed down, relationships are re-established and relatives, friends and fellow villagers of opposite camps have started talking to each other once again. Congratulations to the ‘winners’ and in the same vein, condolences to the ‘losers’. At this juncture, I am reminded of the post victory speech of Barack Obama when he won the Presidential elections for the first time. He graciously reached out to each and every American when he said something like this “…and to those who have not supported me, please remember that I am your President too…let us work together…”. I am certain that our victorious leaders are magnanimous enough to embrace everyone in their respective constituencies, irrespective of whether he/she was a supporter or not. I do hope that our leaders are above political and personal vendetta. I would conclude by narrating a conversation I overheard in the Tata Sumo I was travelling in during the last week of the hectic election campaign. In response to a heated debate on the pluses and minuses of various candidates, an elderly man said, “In my life time, I have taken part in several elections and have seen all types of leaders; but most of them are like someone who takes out honey from the bee hive and places it on the plate. The honey that is on the plate is meant for himself, his wife, his children and close relatives and that which gets smeared on his fingers is given to be licked by others”. All of us had a hearty laugh at his witty analogy though we clearly understood the message. Well, in the years to come, we humbly request the leaders we have elected to allow us partake of the honey on the plate and not be mere finger lickers. We have high hopes on you and, after all, hope is a poor man’s bread!
Yours etc.,
Gregory Kharumnuid,
Ri-Bhoi District
Legislators’ immaturity!?
Editor,
We support any legislator’s objection to the choice of either a non-tribal or a non-indigenous tribal for the post of Speaker in the State Legislature. All legislators are mandated to be present in the House every day it is in session barring absence due to legitimate reasons like ill-health. That HSPDP legislators had remained absent from the House on 11th inst. (History: Mondal elected Speaker – ST MARCH 12, 2013) indicates/exposed their immaturity: they had squandered their opportunity to place their objection/opposition on the floor of the House to be recorded in its proceedings. What is the point in being elected to become MLAs if they are not ready to speak to present their views (opposition/support) on the floor of the House (as mandated by the electorates of their respective constituencies) – not only in market places!
Yours etc.,
Morning Star Sumer,
Shillong – 2
Disappointed passenger!
Editor,
On 11th March I booked a ticket for a journey on 12th March from Network Travels at Dhankheti. The person at the counter was grumpy. When I asked if a window seat was available he replied in an angry tone that there was none. So I asked for any other seat. After giving me the ticket he asked for my phone number so I dictated it to him. In the same arrogant tone he asked me for a second number. I dictated that as well. But he missed one digit and yelled at me saying that I gave him a number with only nine digits. When I asked him why he was so rude he took the ticket away from me and tore it saying that he owns the counter so the ticket belongs to him. He told me buy a ticket from some other bus service. On analyzing the situation I understood that this is the only bus service to the destination. As a passenger I had no option but to be subjected to such rudeness.
I was surprised to see such behavior from a person who deals with 50-60 customers on a daily basis. Politeness is first thing taught in a public relations business and Network Travels has a good reputation but as it is dealing with customers from all over the country it should make an effort to keep its reputation intact by employing people with pleasant manners. A proper feedback from the passengers or a complaint box or contact number where one can report such incidents is needed. Passengers deserve to be treated with respect. After all they pay for their journey!
Yours etc.,
A Dutta, Via email