Editor,
The Shillong Times poll on whether the division among the regional parties will prove advantageous for the Congress in the Shillong seat has an affirmative for an answer. The regional parties could not come to a consensus to field a single candidate to the ensuing parliamentary election knowing fully well that they stand a 90% chance of dethroning the Congress candidate. Our regional leaders fail to rise above political and personal grudges to support the candidature of Paul Lyngdoh who possesses the relevant credentials to represent us in the Lok Sabha. This is regrettable as it only highlights the mental make-up and the thought processes of our Khasi brethren. At a time when we should be united and show our solidarity in order to build our strength we prefer to take sides and split. We would rather support and pathetically pave way to an opponent and allow him to emerge victorious rather than have one of our own. Our regional party leaders do not seem to be in sync with the popular adage, ” United we stand, divided we fall.” Tragically this is an affirmed and common truth that most of us have encountered in our day to day lives. It is not restricted only to the political arena but in every aspect of our lives. I strongly feels there is a great need for a mindset change for a better life and a better future.
One another issue one is appalled by the statement of Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma who seems to be governed by arrogance, egotism and self importance, so much so he has launched a vitriolic attack against a senior politician, PA Sangma. For someone who is always in the limelight for being callous and imperious, Dr Sangma seems to have lost all respect for the sentiments of a fellow politician. The statement he made about the ‘dying wish’ of P.A Sangma is uncalled for. Death is the only phenomenon which is unpredictable and has no bias. Death occurs to any one irrespective of age, sex, power, position and stature in life. Amongst us the Khasi and Jaintia people we always caution our children to be careful of what we say. Our tongue may be the main cause of sweetness and bitterness towards fellow human beings. There is also a saying that what we say may boomerang on us. So let us all practice restraint in what we say about others.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email
Standpoint on parliamentary elections
Editor,
As the general elections are approaching my view is that for Parliament elections we should vote either the led BJP NDA or the Congress-led UPA as these are the only parties which have a sizeable base pan India. A vote for smaller/regional parties or independent candidates who are not part of any coalition but will bargain after the elections depending who is going to form the government is an indirect vote to any of these two big parties. So why not vote directly for the major party? A government with a clear mandate will perform better than the one dependent on opportunist parties/individuals.
Secondly, if we don’t want to vote for any of the two parties then opt for the option of NOTA (none of the above). NOTA in the present form is mere token voting, but if more people start using this to make their opinion known then in future we can have a powerful NOTA wherein re-election will be possible if majority of the voters go for this option. But whatever the circumstances we should all cast our votes. Our future depends on our single VOTE. So let us take a pledge to make voting 100% this time. It’s for our own future only.
Yours etc.,
Piyush Jhunjhunwala,
Via email
Of myopic views
Editor,
Apropos the article by Omar Luther King (ST 21 March), I would like to inform the respected person that RBI has been issuing commemorative coins embossed not only with Hindu deity Vaisho Devi, but also other saints like Mother Teresa, St. Alphonso and other Islamic
and Sikhs prophets. However this is not to be seen undermining the secular character of Indian Constitution. So, I request the writer to clear his myopic view of seeing this act as promoting a particular religion. Rather he should understand that secularism in true Indian
context, means providing equal space and respect to every religion. I hope he can vote now peacefully in the coming elections.
Yours etc.,
Sunil Khanal
Shillong – 2