Editor,
Now that the District Councils Elections and the Parliamentary Elections have been conducted in the state without a hitch, Mr Barkos Warjri, Meghalaya’s Acting Chief Secretary deserves to be warmly congratulated for the overall success of both elections. More so because he was deprived by those in power in government from being promoted to the post of Chief Secretary of the state. Mr Warjri’s due right was taken away from him on the pretext that he might not be competent enough to conduct both the Elections and which led to the extension of service of the present Chief Secretary. It is rather ironic, however, that Mr Warjri’s service was needed the minute the person whose service was extended took long leave of absence during the elections and other crucial periods as well such as when the ILP movement needed to be contained, the Budget Sessions of the Legislative Assembly, the Financial year ending and many other important day to day complexities in the affairs in the government. Mr Warjri should be appreciated for also ungrudgingly taking up the mantle as a truly responsible official and also a responsible citizen though he must have suffered from mental agony because of the unscrupulous treatment given to him. He has also shown an example befitting that of a deeply religious person by being able to forget and forgive. Though Mr Warjri, true gentleman that he is, may not prefer that an apology is owed to him by those responsible for his predicament, I do feel that he deserves it . Moreover, I also feel that the public also deserve an explanation from the Chief Minister on behalf of the government for publicly discrediting an individual without making a true assessment of the individual’s character and ability because ultimately it is a misrepresentation of facts to the public who in this case are the masters whereas the Chief Minister and his cabinet members are mere public servants who are expected to truthfully serve the public to reach their defined destiny through sound and considerate judgment.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
Public toilets!
Editor,
Of late I noticed a couple of public toilets being constructed around Shillong. It is a great move by the Government as these are really required for the convenience of the public. But I wonder who panned these toilets? Is setting up a European style toilet really feasible in areas like Polo and other such places where people are not used to them? Why not the Indian Style toilet which is feasible for public use in India? I wonder if there will be an inauguration programme for launching these toilets by VIP’s. If so I hope that whoever inaugurates the toilets also makes it a point or instruct the Great Toilet Planner to use them once a week so that they will, at least, be properly maintained. Hope this is not another project to waste public money.
Yours etc.,
Nick Lyngdoh,
Via email