Editor,
Apropos the article ” Modi’s Meghalaya”(ST May 17, 2014) by Babet Sten, it is easy to point out that the author, who is a scholar from JNU, New Delhi has a very narrow outlook towards the development of our nation and particularly towards our PM, Mr. Narendra Modi (whose name has also not been spelled correctly in the article). This only shows the arrogance of the author who can’t keep the facts and figures straight before commenting on Mr. Modi and calling him names. I might not be a hardcore supporter of Mr. Modi myself but I very much understand what is good for the nation and who should be leading the nation towards a better tomorrow. However, the author has not been able to accept the fact that the BJP has won a clear majority in these elections. The number of seats won are clear answers to how the people of this country think. Such a narrow outlook towards a particular individual by highlighting the bad side only explains how little knowledge the author has about him. .
In the name of saving the indigenous population of the state from the so called outsiders, the author says that the development of the state in terms of industrialization should be stopped immediately. The author condemns Uranium Mining but does not say anything about the illegal mining activities in Meghalaya executed by the indigenous people and which has destroyed the natural beauty of this state. If such an outlook exists, Meghalaya will never run in the same league as the other developed states of India and the development here will come to a standstill. As a result, people like me and the author will have to go elsewhere for higher education and for finding jobs as those will not be generated here since the only income of the state would be from Tourism which itself is not a very flourishing sector. I would also like to advice the author to at least respect the position of Mr. Modi and give him some time to show his potential and not be misled by the false interpretations about him as made out by the media.
I expect a reply from the author in response to this letter.
JAI HIND!!!!
Yours etc.,
S. Dey
Via email
Modi will make a difference
Editor,
Apropos the editorial “Modi wins; Congress trounced” (ST May 17, 2014), the BJP returns after 10 years. It is the first party since 1984, to get a majority on its own. The Modi wave caught the imagination of large sections of India’s voters who gave the BJP – led NDA unprecedented and historic mandate. It is the first time after 15 years that the BJP has made a comeback in all the 7 seats in Delhi while the INC’s massive and humiliating defeat across India, losing several seats in many States and not opening an account in 7 states, faced a clear rout in New Delhi. After Indira Gandhi won in the 1980 elections with 353 seats and Rajiv Gandhi romped home with 414 seats in 1984, the BJP’s tally of 283 is the best ever by any single party. The BJP emerged as the single largest party while the ruling Congress as well its United Progressive Alliance coalition has been decimated to below 60 and only 44 seats for the INC in Lok Sabha.
BJP surpassed the expectations and predictions of all exit polls. Though elections are won on the ground and not by media campaigns only, but Soho Square and Piyush Pandey – the brains behind BJP’s stunning media campaign who did about 200 commercials, 1000 print ads in all languages and 100 radio scripts added to the swish brand of the BJP campaign. That India voted Modi to power is a measure of both its hope and despair. It will take a true hero to honour that trust. In spite of the impending legislative hurdles for the BJP led NDA government, I am optimistic that Narendra Modi will do it. Modi believes, like few people in India do, that prosperity will cut through identity politics. A remarkable paradigm shift has clearly taken place in the trajectory of India’s parliamentary politics. Mr Modi was an idea whose time has come. We can only hope that he does not to walk on the beaten paths as his is different random walks. We also hope the robotised army (party cadres and leaders) of the BJP would walk the path of Modi (“I will not walk on the beaten paths; mine are different, random walks” Narendra Modi) and carry along all Indians in nation building.
Yours etc.,
Vijay Lyngdoh,
Via email
Why a medical entrance test?
Editor,
The decision of the Government to hold an entrance test for MBBS and BDS courses is condemnable. This is nothing but an eye-wash only. Moreover the DHS Govt. of Meghalaya is not the competent authority to conduct such an important examination. Health is a state subject and therefore, the Central Govt cannot interfere in matters related to health issues of the states; in this case, the selection of candidates for the above mentioned courses. I personally see a conspiracy or a mischievous ploy to give a back-door entry to undeserving candidates who are perhaps, wards of politicians and bureaucrats and their peers by contemplating to conduct such an unjust entrance test. I therefore appeal to all the student communities and the NGOs to protest and thwart this wrong decision of the State Govt. and not to allow another scam to devastate the future of our students as well as the ‘”HEALTH”‘ of our state as a whole. The Health Minister and the Chief Minister, who is a medical graduate himself, are expected to be a little sensitive and considerate for our students and ,hence, not to torture them with another exam after the rigorous MBOSE class XII exam. The selection,of MBBS and BDS candidates, therefore, should be as per their performance/result and the merit list of Class XII as was done in the past.
Yours etc.,
Dr Marist Mark Sam,
Via email