Editor,
Apropos, the letter of Mr. Michael Syiem, (ST May 7, 2013) relating to the debate on the Khasi awakening episode and the explanation given by him regarding the causes, I find them contradictory, irrational and incompatible. He links the brutal attack on innocent people with governance failure. Whoever has criticized the awakening episode has done so on the untoward incidents created by some members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and has not maligned the Union or its aims and noble objectives.
I thank Mr Syiem for participating in a healthy debate on the issue which can evolve into constructive criticism for our community, and yes referring to my identity, I guess it would be better to judge the contents of the column rather than the person’s name. After all, there is always a first time for any reader to write a letter to the editor of a newspaper.
Referring to Dr Sangma’s statement about Meghalaya’s backwardness, I feel that such statements cannot be linked to the reprehensible acts of April 4. Government policy failures, lackadaisical attitude, poor governance or the statement that we are centuries behind in terms of development does not give any one the license to retaliate by beating innocent people on the roadside. This goes counter to our claims of being a civilized community. More importantly, on moral grounds, such acts go against the core teaching of our ancestors. The government doesn’t possess a magic wand to bring development in a flash, or to initiate mass participation, public actions and commitments, liberal thoughts etc. To enable smooth implementation of development schemes requires our participation and sharing of responsibility by each one of us. Yes Government inaction or failures have to be highlighted but without bashing up anyone.
The whole idea of this forum is to debate and dissent. Everyone wants justice and punishment for those who are responsible for the acts of vandalism. But the wrongdoings of a few cannot be blamed on the whole Union as Syiem rightly pointed out. However, the anger inflicted on the innocent is not justified on any grounds. I am a witness of the mass exodus of northeast people recently due to ethnic turmoil in north and south India and I see that such acts create scars in our collective psyche.
Government failure should not be supplemented with individual failure, and here we have failed to act on this whole episode. Let’s end this debate on a positive note. We should be proud of our roots, make awakening celebrations successful and peaceful. As a community we should learn to work hard, drive towards perfection, create opportunities for ourselves by being qualified academically and socially, have a competitive spirit and above all a personal vow to lead a life with ethics, values and principles.
Yours etc.,
Sonie Kharduit,
Shillong-21
White paper or grey paper?
Editor,
In the news item, ” White paper on Leshka Project ready” (ST 3rd May 2013) it was reported that the Chief Secretary informed that since the water level is presently low, only one unit of the Leshka project is working and that when there is sufficient rain the power generation will be at the optimum level as all the three units of the project will be functional. Ironically he was caught on the wrong foot when the very next day it was reported that water was released from the project reservoir as it was full (ST 4th May 2013). This shows that there is a big communication gap within the MeECL. Nevertheless, the Chief Secretary’s statement seems to suggest that the project would function efficiently only during the rainy season and that it is at its lowest level of efficiency during the dry season. The scenario is no different from that of the Umiam Project since we experience power cuts when the water in Umiam lake is very low dry during the dry months, whereas there is sufficient power during the rainy season when the lake is full. Hence if the Umiam Project can provide adequate power during the summer months , question now arises as to whether there is any logic of having the Leshka project if it is not able to supplement the power requirements during the dry months. If it is to function effectively only during the rainy season when the power supply from the Umiam Project alone is sufficient then the Leshka project is meaningless. It is therefore a sheer waste of public money to establish the Project particularly when the cost of the project is more than three times the original cost. It is amusing though that the Chief Secretary should claim that the project is one with the least cost. The inflated cost reflects poorly on those technical experts in the Corporation who initially formulated the project. It also reflects on the poor financial management by the administration. But all these would have never been questioned in the first place had there been efficient service delivery which at the moment is not there. The justification given by the Chief Secretary who is also the Chairman cum Managing Director of the MeECL is therefore only an eyewash. He seems to think that people can be easily taken for a ride.
Yours etc.,
Kyrchan Dkhar,
Shillong-2
Shoddy roads
Editor,
One must completely agree with the grievances aired by Akonggre residents. Everywhere its the same old story. Supporters of political parties are always alloted contracts work. The worst part is that though the work is alloted to a local the work is then sub contracted to a non -local. Obviously since the by word here is maximum profit, work is bound to be shoddy, uncompleted.
Yours etc.,
Nesfield B Sangma,
Via email