Editor,
Recently there was a lot of mayhem after the Urban Affairs Minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh termed Mawlai a slum area. Yes, she did hurt the sentiments of the people and she quickly apologized. But does the issue end here? I think we should look at our surrounding’s and be honest that we do live in an unclean city. Shillong has turned into a garbage pit especially in the market areas like Police Bazar, Iewduh and also in front of Laitumkhrah Police Point and many other parts of Shillong. The banks of the Wah Umkhrah, Wah Umshyrpi and many other rivers/streams are a favourite dumping ground for people residing in these areas. Disposal of garbage in this manner causes health hazards in the city. Waste should be properly kept and disposed off judiciously. Most of the time dustbins don’t work in our city. People prefer to spit everywhere which causes Shillong to be called the “Garbage City in the East”.
In areas like Police Bazar, Madanrting etc, garbage collection is haphazard. Vehicles don’t come regularly and at irregular timings to collect garbage from these localities. And the price for collecting garbage in Police Bazar is Rs 400 per month! If the vehicles don’t show up people dump their garbage on the streets. Is our Government taking any initiative? How can the Government expect us to follow rules when it doesn’t do the same? Are we really doing our part regarding garbage management? Most of the people residing in Shillong dump garbage in every corner of the city. Is there no law that can prevent people from littering? It takes very little effort from our end. If we start separating dry waste from wet waste and the municipality compulsorily collects waste from every household, Shillong can become the beautiful city it once was. Dry wastes like plastic, bottles, glass, paper etc, can be recycled and reused. Wet waste can be decomposed to make fertilizers which are essential for agriculture. Some institutes in India use garbage to generate fuel which also saves energy. Schools, colleges, government offices, shopping malls should provide garbage bins. Even public areas like roads, market, hospitals, and localities should have separate bins.
People of Mawlynnong are proud of their ‘cleanest village’ tag. Villagers clean their localities volitionally. Why are we not doing the same? Our Government should act now and manage garbage before we are all buried under it. And if our government could turn garbage into fuel or manure there will be gainful employment for the youth. And from cleaning our surroundings we will definitely help regain our pride about Shillong being known as “The Scotland of the East”.
Yours etc.,
Bakordor Rapsang
Sikkim Manipal University
Women’s day tokenism
Editor,
I agree with H.H. Mohrmen’s article, “Celebrating International Women’s Day: Beyond Tokenism.” He has clearly pointed out the areas where women have not been absorbed and treated at par with men. The stereotypical perception is still intact even in the twenty first century. Modernisation and urbanisation have not really changed the mindset of people towards women. Discrimination and gender inequality are more prevalent in the rural areas but the urban scenario is not very different. We still hear, read and watch news of women being subjected to violence and atrocities. It is important to ask ourselves why is there so much discrimination and violence against women. Why are women susceptible to outside force and thrust? Are women really too weak, mentally and emotionally that they need to be cared for? Or are women only objects of use and abuse? If we condone this kind of a mindset then we are actually upholding the stereotypical perception of women. As a woman one feels that there is a need for us to consciously work towards bringing about change in the understanding of women and their roles.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Inspiring Change” would remain a mere token if the worth of a woman is not understood and acknowledged. Women play different roles in their lives that cannot and must not go unrecognized. For example her duties and responsibilities at home cannot simply be disregarded just as her contribution at the work place is invaluable. In fulfilling one she cannot neglect the other since both are equally important. A woman juggles her time in such a way that none of her roles or responsibilities at home or at work suffers. We cannot therefore underestimate the worth of a woman. If we fail to remove these discrepancies we perpetuate gender biases. Brigette Bardot says,”Women get unhappy the more they try to liberate themselves.” All that women wish is to be liberated from the iron clutches of divide and discrimination that leads to violence, suppression and subjugation. All that they long for is to be given a chance to walk alongside their male counterparts for only then will we have a strong and progressive world. Women have as much prowess as men so why not give them the opportunity to prove themselves?
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email