Editor
I am in support of Mewan Pariat, Leo Kharsati and countless others who have voiced their anger against the hypocrisy of politicians and NGOs with regard to the HNLC Bandh on 2nd October. At the same time, I find Agnes Kharshiing’s defense of her actions through the letter “Confrontation not the answer,” (ST Oct 2, 2014) to be untenable and riddled with holes. Ms. Kharshiing on the one hand, tells us that confrontation is not the answer. But on the other hand, the attitude of her organization CSWO has been nothing but confrontational on every issue and at all times. The only time she was seen to back down was the time she opted out of the ILP movement. But one might say that this change of heart was brought on by her stay in jail rather than outside events or inner realization. And what about the recent torture and abduction case of 12 women in Garo Hills in which CSWO was involved? Was that too non-confrontational? Isn’t it ironic that Agnes Kharshiing can overlook such vigilantism and conveniently label herself as non-confrontational in the HNLC case? Ms Kharshiing has deftly side-stepped the question of her own inappropriate behaviour by harping on Govt corruption. While nobody disputes the fact that Govt is corrupt, does that give Agnes Kharshiing and her NGO the licence to indulge in rabble-rousing and underhand deals with anti-nationalist elements? I think CSWO and others need to apologize to the nation for their unnecessary meddling and attempt to mollify terrorists with disgraceful pleas on behalf of Indian citizens. Agnes Kharshiing and the CSWO must stop tilting at windmills at every opportunity. The same goes for Bindo Lanong and the UDP.
Yours etc.,
Lawrence Tariang
Via email
Amusing rejoinder
Editor,
Agnes Kharshiing’s rejoinder to a couple of letters to the editor in your paper is laughable. It goes from preaching to teaching and patronising about what we should all do and what public behaviour we should don. CSWO is the most despotic organisation that has never had any election in over a decade. It’s more like a one woman show and a front for putting pressure on selective targets. We wonder why Kharshiing should get involved in a land deal involving private parties which is of no public concern whatsoever. I am referring to the SP Mahanta versus Tushar Bhattacharjee case concerning the land at Lachumiere where the former has been accused of land grabbing. Why would an NGO step into a private deal unless the leader of that NGO has a private interest? And pray who are the other members of the CSWO? Are they deaf and dumb that they allow Agnes Kharshiing to lead them like dumb, driven cattle? The very idea of NGO in Meghalaya stinks like rotten carcass. Citizens should learn to fight their own battles. Overdependence on NGOs has turned these organisations into tyrants whose only target is the Government. And since the Government is so weak it keeps capitulating to these busy-bodies. Enough is enough! We have seen through all of these organisations and they are pro-self and anti-people.
Yours etc.,
AS Lyngdoh,
Via email
Make in India: Another view
Editor,
Apropos the Special Article “Make in India” versus “Made in China” by Subrata Majumder (ST Oct 2, 2014), to create development and growth oriented environment without incentives is unthinkable. Democracy, demographic dividend and demand alone will not impel investors because the ultimate movers and shakers are the bankers and shareholders who will not wait for long periods before the companies reap the profits on their investments. As such incentive is imperative because cost competitiveness is a driving force for the global investors. You may call and woo investors but at the end of the day, as the author of “Make in India” vs. “Made in China” rightly pointed out, “besides wages, investor’s charm for investment is driven by high demand, low infrastructure cost of manufacturing such as land, power, water and corporate taxes”. If this is not available only a fool is going to park his money in a fool’s paradise. We have to learn from the Chinese, who after accomplishing the first stage of world’s biggest manufacturing hub are now vacating the low cost and volume and shifting to high technology manufacturing to rebuild China’s manufacturing sector into qualitative workshop with more Hi tech production by reposing responsibility on foreign investors and not losing sight that tax incentive and low infrastructure cost of manufacturing is still the mantra to create development and growth. Vacating low cost and volume and shifting to high technology by the Chinese may be a boon to India to establish its global workshop with low wages as a first stage to set up manufacturing hubs called ‘Make in India’ in order to jack up manufacturing Gross Domestic Product from 15 to 25 percent. But this can only come about if there is an incentive because you cannot have development and growth with high infrastructure cost of manufacturing. Since high corporate tax dampens the manufacturing competitiveness in India, this needs to be reviewed and made at par with China. India should draw lessons from the Chinese experience since 2004.
Yours etc.,
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email