Editor
Why is David Lyngdoh the serial molester given names such as ‘Bah Jyllud, Phantom, Massage Man’ etc. Calling him by such names has devalued the meaning of the words which are not bad in themselves. These ords also make light of his crime. He should be called a molester or a rapist which is what he is. He is a criminal not a crime-fighter like Phantom. Calling him ‘Bah Jyllud, Massage man and Phantom’ is inappropriate. Who does not need to be massaged when parts of the body are aching? But after naming the ‘molester’ as ‘massage man’, one has to think twice before going for a massage.
I request our English and vernacular dailies to address David Lyngdoh by his name and use the right adjectives to define him and his crime.
Yours etc.,
Olivia Lyngdoh Mawlong,
Via email
Meghalaya has its own political movement
Editor,
Apropos to Rikordor L Nonglait’s letter, “Why not AAP in Meghalaya,” the writer has failed to understand that the methodology of politics adopted by AAP is conducive for societies that have a different outlook to their needs, unlike here where politics and political parties are seen as instruments of opportunity. In fact the clean politics campaign adopted by Mr. Ardent M. Basawiamoit has been the first of all campaigns even before people like Arvind Kejriwal could start their campaign. It is only because the mainstream media gave so much prominence to his campaign with Anna Hazare that his political movement got traction. Therefore the writer should study the domestic movements before comparing the situation here with the AAP.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S. Wankhar
Shillong-3
Of pseudo VIPs!
Editor
In a state where the Chief Minister feels that opulence (CM’s new residence) and status symbol is more important than anything else, it is natural that the red beacons on vehicles of public servants will remain. While red beacons on vehicles of certain category of public servants are required because of the nature of their position and responsibilities (and I am sure that the State Government must already have a circular issued wherein the positions of public servants or government officials who are usually very senior have been clearly identified) it appears that almost every government official has blatantly violated this circular. That is why we see many pseudo VIPs around Shillong. Nowadays, an official of the mere rank of Joint Secretary to the Government or a Head of Department have shamelessly placed the red beacons on their vehicles when they are not entitled to do so. Unfortunately, the Chief Secretary who must be well aware of the circular has failed to assert his authority to put a stop to this misuse of the red beacons. In a small state like Meghalaya these errant officials can be easily identified and subsequently booked. I wonder why the Chief Secretary has failed to do so. Perhaps he prefers to be known as “U babha” which in Khasi language means ‘a good man.’ But he should know that once a person is called “babha ‘then people will take advantage of him at the cost of effective governance. It is hoped he can make amends and take effective action in this and in many other matters as well within these six months to make up for lost ground.
Yours etc.,
Kynpham Syiem,
Shillong-2