Editor,
The headlines – grabbing antics of the C.E.M of the KHADC are sufficient indication of his penchant for the dramatic and barely hides his bulging megalomania. In fact, nothing is as regular in the local newspapers as Ardent Basaiawmoit, not even the weather report. Interestingly, he appears to have torn pages out of Arvind Kejriwal’s book so much so that Arvind and Ardent seem interchangeable and indistinguishable. In fact, the similarities go beyond their first name. Both have inflated opinion of themselves : Arvind thinks he’s the crusader of the downtrodden; Ardent thinks he is the Messiah of the Hynniewtrep people. Arvind began his career on an anti-corruption plank; Ardent started off with his now-buried Clean Politics Campaign. Arvind called the Congress names (and a mouthful of unprintable words) ; Ardent tries to create the impression of being Pro-Regional Party but his equations with Dr. Mukul Sangma are exceptionally good.(Try to recall a single anti-Mukul statement emanating from him in 2014). Both love mayhem and the attendant frenzy of crowds: Arvind staged his theatre at the Jantar Mantar and Ardent in front of the KHADC office. Both have a fetish for the unconventional. The visuals of Arvind reconnecting power lines in the houses of Delhi and those of Ardent apparently trying to calm down crowds in front of his office are forever etched in one’s mind. Both have cultivated a very palpable disdain for those on whose support they rode to power into an art form. Recall Arvind’s utter contempt for the Congress which had backed up his Chief Ministership and compare it with Ardent’s open contempt for the UDP MDCs who were responsible for his current tryst with popularity in the first place. Arvind had his chance to carve his name in the annals of history, but squandered it due to a misplaced sense of honour and self-importance. Ardent will be consigned to the dustbins of history on account of myopia, hubris, a holier than thou attitude and an utter disregard for parliamentary ethics and the dynamics of interpersonal relationships.
Yours etc,
Saralin M. Khongwir,
Shillong-4
Shillong reaches another milestone!
Editor,
It is a matter of great pride that Shillong is celebrating the 150th year of its existence this year. What is surprising that no one is even aware of this, leave alone celebrating it. The Government and civil society at large goes to town for the least of reasons, but for a major milestone like this, we are totally silent.
It is a matter of record that in 1864 that the British administration shifted their headquarters from Cherrapunjee to Shillong, and established the Shillong town as we know it today. After 150 years, I’m sure it has grown beyond recognition, and I think all Shillongites should come together to celebrate this occasion in a befitting manner. This can be done by organising various activities like a Photographic exhibition of Shillong through the ages, recognizing its various landmarks, lightning up the city, felicitating the various personalities and families who have contributed to its development, and having a grand party to cap it all.
I’m sure there would be no dearth of further ideas for this celebration, and I request all my fellow citizens to organize and celebrate this Sesquicentennial milestone in style.
Yours etc.,
Sarad Bawri,
Via email
Great sense of relief
Editor,
The city’s premier education institution Loreto Convent had recently drawn much flak from sections of concerned parents and past pupils for the arbitrary charge of Rs. 500 as Building Fee as the decision was enforced without pre-consultation with the student’s parents. Nor was there any transparency in the intended plans for the extended building. Although the need of ensuring that students benefit from a higher secondary section within the confines of the established institution – a paramount necessity- the school management could have avoided a clash of opinions with the public by simply taking them into confidence. Surprisingly, if not deliberately, our State Education Dept. did nothing at all to intervene, but swift and condescending response by the Loreto Convent Management has surely and effectively given wide relief and eased the heartburn of parents. A heartfelt THANK YOU to the Management of Loreto Convent on behalf of all parents whose relief can only be expressed collectively through this letter of gratitude.
Yours etc.,
Lewis Sooting