Editor,
Four months after the nation was shocked by the Nirbhaya gang rape and one month after the anti-rape Bill was passed by Parliament, the brutal confinement and rape of a 5-year-old girl in Delhi sparked outrage across the nation again. The innumerable reported and unreported rape cases in Delhi go to prove that even the most stringent rape laws will not reduce the incidence of rape. The mindset of the police, the public and the would-be victims of rape will have to change. In all this the law of God alone will work.
There is much need to bring about socio-economic, political and religious changes. The gender bias has to be removed completely. All this is not possible overnight. God’s perfect Law of Love has to be given priority over the imperfect laws of the land made by men full of hate. We have to invent effective full-proof preventive measures and concentrate on them instead of focusing on punitive measures.
Yours etc.,
Omar Luther King
New Delhi -34
Lets do what is right!
Editor,
Doubts were expressed from the very beginning, on the efficacy of the Catchment Areas Bill 1990 when it was first introduced in the Meghalaya Assembly. The debate continues without any viable solution, while the dangers increase to key water sources. Let us pause and think carefully whether acquisition of lands constituting catchments is the best means to protect such a vital necessity. There are probably hundreds of catchments in Meghalaya combining arid, agriculture and forest components. The acquisition cost would go into hundred crores of rupees, besides the time factor and the ponderous issue of utilizing such lands properly once they have been acquired by the government.
The subject matter is best discussed in the area within easy distance of the capital where unscientific sand quarrying threatens the Mawphlang Dam. Six days in a week, the constant flow of sand and stone batters the submerged machinery, while causing the sediment to rise as would render the dam non-functional over a period of time. The remedy lies not in acquiring the entire catchment, but imposition of sec 133 CrPc which empowers the District Magistrate to stop such mining activity in the public interest. The only cost is compensating the owners for loss of livelihood. Such intervention should be invoked in all the catchment areas. The primary task from now onwards, is to fix the norms as the basis for identifying all the catchment areas in the State.
Yours etc.,
A.H. Scott Lyngdoh,
Via email
Mental illness is a concern
Editor,
I fully agree with Dr Sandi Syiem that the Chief Minister of Meghalaya should have included the mentally ill in the Insurance scheme on priority basis. Psychiatric disorder can be of many types and requires long term treatment. One disease may give rise to a chain of diseases. For eg. research conducted by American Psychological Association has found a link between a person suffering from Bipolar Affected Personality Disorder (BAPD) and his drinking habits. This disease generally goes unnoticed and there is no particular diagnosis. It generally is noticed after few years and by then the person becomes an alcoholic. And as you know alcohol itself is a depressant. A person may feel that it gives him a feel good factor but it actually leads to depression. As I said that one psychiatric disorder can lead to many problems. I believe Dr. Syiem will agree with me. I therefore would like to appeal to the government to please address the issue. In today’s stressful life everyone needs a bit of counseling so if the government covers the mentally ill under this scheme it would help a lot of people live a normal life.
In the United States and other developed nations there are certain job reservations in certain sectors for people suffering from psychiatric disorders.
Yours etc.,
Partha Protim Roy
Kolkata -84
Article on Savitribai Phule
Editor,
Kudos to The Shillong Times for the article on the Mother of modern education in India, Savitribai Phule. Never did any newspaper ever publish an article on this power couple who were great social reformers. I congratulate you for this brillant piece and I am able to write this because I owe my education to this gutsy lady. Keep up the good work and publish many such articles on such social reformers who hitherto never found a place in the media.
Yours etc.,
Anita Rao,
Via email
Sohra eco-restoration project: another viewpoint
Editor,
Refer the letter from Gilbert Rani on the Sohra Eco-restoration Project, (ST April 23, 2013). . Being conscious of the need to improve and protect the environment, the Government with the proactive support of the Planning Commission directed the Soil Conservation Department to take up the project. The Department does not claim a perfect knowledge on matters relating to the environment, but it did take two years to collect data by carrying out field surveys of the area and getting the local communities to be actively involved as the DPR was prepared. We know that active involvement with stakeholders and inputs from concerned citizens and experts will help towards improving such projects. Following the earlier letter from Mr Rani to your paper, on 1 November 2012, offering his views on the project, we had written to him at his address, given as Shillong 14, requesting him to share his detailed knowledge with the Soil Conservation Department. The letter was returned by the Post Office as the addressee was not found.
Now that Mr. Rani’s address has changed, I request him through these pages, to contact me or the Director Soil Conservation Department as we work towards improving our natural resources, so crucial to our future and indeed to the survival and growth of our farmers, many of whom struggle to eke out a decent living.
Yours etc.,
Barkos Warjri,
Additional Chief Secretary,
Govt of Meghalaya,
Shillong