Editor,
During the last few days the Mawkhar-Jaïaw main Road got a facelift when its Riding Quality has been improved with the laying of Bituminous Macadam and Semi Dense Bituminous Concrete by none other than M/s Dhar Construction Company (DCC) as one expert described it. However,every resident of the area saw the discrepancies in the quality of works. No one came from the department to monitor or supervise the work since it is carried out at night.
How can the officials concerned shy away from their responsibilities and compromise with the quality, be it thickness or the mix? Even a lay person like me saw a lot of inferior quality, because barely a day after laying of BM the chips started to come out in huge quantities had they not been covered up by the seal coats. It seems that the officials are scared of being strict at site since the work is owned by the political masters of the department. If the work is compromised in the city you could only imagine the standard in the rural areas.
Besides, what is disturbing the commuters and the pedestrians most, is that a number of speed-breakers have been constructed and it seems that these speed-breakers are outdated without proper design and standard as is being done at Sawlad- Law-U-Sib-Lapalang Road. If not rectifies soon, most of the two wheelers and vehicles will meet unforeseen mishaps and breakdown of their motor parts while negotiating with the sub-standard speed-breakers especially the ones constructed in the Chapel Road from Roberts Hospital. Will the concerned authority listen to this public appeal or are they blind to the safety norms?
Yours Etc.
Lakyntiew Blah-Nongkynrih,
Shillong-2
Problem of begging
Editor,
We are all so busy with our daily lives that we don’t notice the increasing number of beggars on the roads and foot- paths of Laitumkhrah and Police Bazar. There is a segment of people who are condemned to beg .I want to use this platform to draw the attention of our people and Government that there are human beings begging for a basic meal for themselves and their families. It is really pathetic to see men, women, the aged, even children, some with physical deformities lying on the road begging for money. There are some NGOs trying to help them but it is not enough if the Government does not take cognizance. There are arguments that the beggars have chosen that life and are too lazy to work. But what about the child beggars and the aged? They are helpless and have no choice of a better life. And child trafficking for begging exists. We cannot say just by looking at a beggar whether he/she is doing it on volition, or are forced to do so by their parents, or whether they are victims of trafficking. Some beggars may even try to conceal the truth out of fear. But whatever the case is, they need help. Why does the Government not implement some laws to protect them and to abolish this business? They are human beings too and have the right to food, clothing, shelter, education and the other basic amenities of life. I hope that through this letter some action emerges from the Government.
Yours etc.
Monica Thangkhiew,
Via email
Why not a Reverend in the fray?
Editor,
What’s all the fuss about a Reverend contesting the Lok Sabha Elections? Is it a crime? There is no such law in India which bars any individual from contesting elections be it a doctor, professor, taxi driver or pastor. I believe Reverend PBM Basaiawmoit decided to contest the Lok Sabha elections in his own personal capacity. If, however, PBM Basaiawmoit uses the church or religion or tries to influence the voters then we should all oppose his candidature. But that’s not the case. If some people are having problems with him for contesting elections, then that is their problem, not his. My only advice to PBM Basaiawmoit is to firstly resign as a Reverend. It is reported in some papers that some Presbyterian church leaders have come out openly to oppose the candidature of Basaiawmoit on the pretext that politics is dirty therefore religion and politics should not mix. If that is the case then the Presbyterian Church should not accept donations from politicians anymore. Moreover if Reverends are forbidden by the church to take part in active politics, then this same law should be applicable to other church elders (tymmen basan) also. Lastly if these religious leaders are having problems with the candidature of PBM Basaiawmoit, then they should simply not vote for him. It’s as simple as that!
Yours etc.,
Manny Lyngwa
Shillong – 1
MPCC and Pala’s winnability factor
Editor,
Two weeks have gone by since the announcement of the Congress candidate for the prestigious 1-Shillong Parliamentary Constituency but as yet there is no momentum or wave. Instead we find greater momentum in the campaign trail of other candidates such as the Independent, UDP, BJP, and to some extent the APP.
The one million dollar question all are asking in the Congress camp is – Has the Congress High Command been misled on the ‘winnability” factor? We have two weeks to go before ‘D’ day and it is still quiet on the Congress front. Speculations are on whether the visit of the High Command personalities would help in building momentum for the Congress.
Yours etc.,
Irene Syiemiong,
Shillong -1