Editor,
It is heartening to get a Speaker who is not ensconced in his ivory tower but is sensitive to the feelings of the public. On behalf of all those who were concerned about the need to preserve and conserve the ambience around Tara Ghar, I thank him, and the HPC, for deciding against the construction of the Legislative Assembly complex at Tara Ghar, Shillong. I also thank all those who had come out in protest – from the youth who had first started off the signature campaign, led by Avner Pariat, to the octogenarians who continued to keep the issue alive by protesting, and to organisations like ICARE, and others, who had filed the PIL to stay the construction. You have made our future that little bit more comfortable and I thank all of you.
Yours etc.,
RG Lyngdoh
Shillong – 3
Stampede incident
Editor,
With reference to the news item in the headlines (ST April 9, 2013) regarding the 29 students injured in a stampede in a city school with the photo of our injured daughter, Na-i-la-bha Kharkongor, we the parents of the girl would like to place on record our deep sense of gratitude to the school authorities and the teachers of St. Margaret’s Higher Secondary School, Laitumkhrah.
When the unfortunate incident took place, (which could happen anytime or anywhere), the school authorities did the right thing first. Without loss of time, they reached all the injured to hospital. We believe that was the most sensible thing to do. They wasted no time. Their priority was to see that the children get medical attention without delay. Because of this timely action precious lives were saved . Otherwise it would have been a different story all together. We are equally grateful to all the doctors, nurses of Nazareth Hospital and all government authorities.
As stated above, such incidents or accidents can happen anywhere in the world. It is not because of the carelessness or callousness of the school authorities. We have seen for ourselves, over the years the care and attention being paid to our children by the teachers and authorities of this esteemed institution. So instead of pointing fingers , let us stand united at this hour of misfortune. Let us teach our children to be careful. I am sure the school authorities will also devise ways and means so that such incidents do not occur again.
Thanking all the religious nuns and the teachers again.
Yours etc.,
Osmon V Sun (Father)
S Kharkongor (Mother)
Mawngap – Marbisu
Kudos to real life heroes
Editor,
A major fire broke out at 45 Jhalupara Cantonment, Shillong on the noon of April 10, 2013. The catastrophe was miraculously averted due to the apt and valiant feat of the residents of Jhalupara as well as the Fire Brigade department. Through this esteemed column I extend my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all those brave hearts who without caring for their lives saved many a precious life and properties. Once again I salute the valiants.
Yours etc.,
Ravi Gurung
Shillong
Water crisis looming large!
Editor,
Like everywhere else in the world, the thirst for water is likely to become one of the most pressing issues for the population of Meghalaya in the coming years. While water is a renewable resource, it is at the same time a finite resource and vulnerable to loss and depletion. It is neither always available perennially nor it is available everywhere and this leads to a growing realisation that there are limits to finding good quality water because of the rising contamination and depletion of our water resources such as streams and rivers from where maximum water for multipurpose uses is drawn from reservoirs established on many of such water resources. The recent front page photograph in the Shillong Times( 1st April 2013 ) with the caption “A big price to pay for personal gain” depicts the harsh landscape surrounding the Umtyngar river because of the increasing detrimental activities such as unregulated stone and sand quarrying in the catchments of the river which is also the tributary to the river Umiew. Adding to this is the deforestation and the faulty cultivation practices in the catchments of the main river itself. While this is indeed a sight for sore eyes, such free for all activities however will not only dry up the rivers but will also contribute immensely to the early siltation of the Umiew water reservoir which is the main source of water of the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme and this will consequently reduce its capacity to store water. This looming threat to the reservoir will adversely affect this main source of water and may consequently lead to an impending catastrophe which will affect the populace of Shillong and those in its surrounding areas in the years to come. Probably the harmful resultant effects of the detrimental activities in the catchments of these rivers were not seriously taken into account when the scheme was first conceived as it is evident that suitable interventions to mitigate or prevent such effects have not been taken up in the catchment simultaneously with the construction works taken up under the scheme. This is also evident in the other water supply schemes everywhere in the State where the river catchments are likewise badly affected. Nevertheless, such detrimental activities should be checked and controlled and if need be, should be stopped in order to preserve the catchments so as to ensure sufficient and sustained flow of quality water out of the many important water supply projects already in place. We can neither afford new ones nor would there be possible alternatives if these existing projects cease to serve their purpose. The options available to preserve the catchments of the water resources are there but hard decisions have to be taken quickly and conscientious follow up actions should follow. We cannot afford to remain complacent as otherwise we must pay the price.
Yours etc.,
K L Tariang,
Via email