Editor,
Apropos the news, “Cong set to lose Shillong, MPCC report claims” (ST April 21st 2014) it is a fact that PR Kyndiah held the 1 Shillong Parliamentary Constituency for almost 11 years from 16.2.1998 to 15.4.2009. CK Nayak incorrectly reported that “Congress has rarely lost the Shillong seat.” The fact is that Congress lost in 1996 to an Independent Candidate, Professor George Gilbert Swell who polled 56.18 percent of the votes while the INC candidate DD Lapang polled 35.19 percent of the votes that year. The former polled 2,12,205 votes while the latter polled 1,32,903 votes. In 1977 HSPDP candidate Hoping Stone Lyngdoh won the Lok Sabha seat from Shillong against the Congress nominee Peter Garnette Marbaniang. The former polled 55,732 votes and the latter 50,967 votes. The Congress has rightly reported that PBM Basaiawmoit will get more votes. Since the fate of the contesting Parties and candidates in the 2014 Lok Sabha has been sealed in 232 seats so far, the internal report of the MPCC is a perception just as this election is about perception management for which BJP and Narendra Modi is ahead on this count. So let us not be impatient but wait for the results on May 16 2014.
Yours etc.,
Vijay Lyngdoh,
Via email
Why communalise the border issue?
Editor,
I have deep respect for your newspaper and appreciate your contribution to the readers. Yours is the highest circulating paper in the State and widely read over the internet hence your responsibility is also greater. I have read The Shillong Times since my school days and I still read it with the same attention and enthusiasm. Now my 7- year old son reads the newspaper for me. The point I wish to make is that on April 17 last a report captioned, “HNLC issues quit notice to Nepali residents,” has created a lot of tension. The outfit has called all Nepalis “illegal and foreign.” After reading this news on the front page many disturbing questions arise in the minds of every genuine citizen of the state. As expected my son began to ask me many questions such as why we are called foreign when we are citizens of this country and whether we have no right to live in Meghalaya. I tried to convince him that this is our country and we are its citizens by the Constitution of India and that we have the right to live , earn and study in any part of India. I know that you never meant to hurt the sentiments of any community or religion or to spread fear and suspicions through your publication. But no matter how much I try to convince myself that all is well, one nagging question remains. Can’t we ever live in Meghalaya without being reminded that we are “outsiders?” If there is any problem or conflict of interest between two groups the problem should be localized and resolved immediately without tarnishing the name of the whole community. Of course the Government must make its stand clear on the issue. There is no state in India which is free from one or other form of discrimination. But we cannot do a tit for tat all the time. We have always treated the local indigenous people of Meghalaya with respect. Their rights should be protected but not by putting the lives of others at risk. I love my birth place Meghalaya and its rich and splendid culture and people. So let us strive to make this a model state of, “Unity in Diversity” and keep its identity and culture safe.
Yours etc.,
Kumar Tamang,
Via email page
Acute water scarcity
Editor,
This letter is about “water scarcity” in Meghalaya, where the “wettest place” on earth exists. Our beautiful town Tura is now struggling with acute water shortage. We cast our votes so that we can avail the basic necessities but in vain. Scarcity of water generally arises due to poor management of water but even we are responsible for it. During the dry season, from February to June many people struggle to find water. Some are compelled to fetch water by walking long distances. That people in one of the rainiest places on the planet thrive to get a bucket of water is emblematic of profound water challenges that India faces. It is a pathetic condition. I request the Government to kindly take serious note of this problem
Yours etc.,
Annu Kumari Prasad
Tura Bazaar,
West Garo Hills
