Editor,
As a keen golfer, I thank Bah Aubrey S. Lyngdoh for highlighting the state of affairs of the Shillong Golf Club. I am optimistic that the past glory of the Golf-links can still be revived if the Shillong Club (custodian of the course) vis-a-vis the Government take initiative to maintain and preserve the natural beauty of the course and restore it to its past glory. There are a few natural golf courses in the country and we should be proud that ours is one of them. The residents around the course and the general public must not degenerate and damage this unique natural playground essential for healthy living. The financial constraints of maintaining the course are there but, if there’s a will, there’s a way.
Yours etc
H.P (Micky) Massar
Kolkata
Shortage of specialist doctors in Shillong Civil Hospital
Editor,
Why do our people have to flock Vellore or other hospitals outside the state for their treatment? Every year brilliant students are sent out to study their MBBS and those that finish their post graduation, don’t return or don’t want to return. But is it really their fault? With a meagre salary, for which they have to run around from pillar to post, a posting in the periphery where these specialist cannot really do justice to their training due to lack of manpower, electricity, equipments etc., it is difficult to expect them to function. Salaries paid outside the state in private organisations is three to four times that offered by the State. The specialists available, who do want to serve despite all odds, are not put into proper use. Instead of being posted in the Civil Hospital where they can cater to a vast population from all districts, they are sent to a rural area where by the end of their posting, they forget all about their speciality training. The State Govt should set up a Capital hospital which has all Speciality Doctors to cater to the people so they wouldn’t think of running elsewhere for their treatment. Why should our State lag behind? Why are vacancies in the Shillong Civil Hospital not being filled if Specialists are available in the other districts to fill them? Doesn’t the Shillong Civil Hospital require to be prioritised first, considering it is serving people not from one but all districts? The rich may afford treatment outside, but definitely not the poor.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
Shillong Golf Course: Another view
Editor,
Apropos the article on June 6, by A H Scott Lyngdoh, I agree with practically everything that Bah Scott has written. In my view, however, restoring the course to its pristine glory as the Gleneagles of the East or making it the ‘goldmine’ potential that it is, depends on clarity about one fundamental question : What is the legal position with regard to the ownership of the land ? Then only a sustainable socio- economic investment can succeed in the course. Sustainability among other things involves all stakeholders especially the citizens who live around the course who can be made to see the stakes they have in the course and recognise it as their asset. I am prepared to present a ´business model´ if the above fundamental question is clarified.
Yours etc.,
Rudi Warjri,
Via email
Plastic roads, smooth ride
Editor,
Talking about Cantonment Area, experiments are on to have 15 to 17 percent of plastic mixture with bitumen to construct a plastic road which is said to be durable. It is expected that plastics would increase the melting point of the bitumen. It will strengthen the road construction but also increase the road life as well. This will also help in recycling the plastic waste which is affecting the environment. This is being initiated by the Chief Executive Officer, Shillong Cantonment Board, S Prabakaran. He must have witnessed how deplorable Shillong roads are must have taken such an innovative step in addressing this menace within his jurisdiction i.e., potholes, cracks, etc, Kudos to him!
Coming to some of the worst roads in Shillong, Pynthorumkhrah must surely be the worst. What has the Hon’ble Minister cum Local MLA, Mr A.L. Hek been doing for the past many years after being elected as our public representative? Also what is his colleague S. Dhar, the present PWD (Roads) Minister doing? Don’t they travel through Polo road to NEIGRIHMS area at least once a month? Haven’t they felt the bumps on this particular stretch of road? Or is it that their vehicles are too smooth for the ride. What are your answers? Fund Crunch or Irresponsibility?
Yours etc.,
D Sawian,
Via email