Editor,
The Motphran Bridge analogy, cleverly used by Toki Blah to depict the hopeless state of affairs in state politics, can be extended to portray the current state of political NGOs in Meghalaya. These NGOs too were born with ‘design flaws’ just like the infamous bridge. Most have their roots in student bodies, but have abandoned studious pursuits for a ‘glamorous’ life as NGO/ Student leader. They do not posses either coherent or cohesive vision. Most times they are seen floundering like rudderless ships caught in a malevolent storm. Their ideology appears to be based on the twin principles of brute force and blackmail. Over time, they have degenerated into refuges for college dropouts and borderline criminals. They also share uncommonly strong ties with communal and extremist elements. Sometimes it is genuinely difficult to tell one from the other from the behavioural aspect alone. And despite Agnes Kharshiing’s flawed arguments based on 18th century ‘guillotine logic’, our NGOs too have outlived whatever purpose they once served, just like the Motphran Bridge. Dismantling these flawed structures is therefore a logical step in achieving peace and sustainable growth for Meghalaya. Unfortunately, I do not see this happening at the hands of weak Congress regimes like the present one.
Yours etc.,
Alan Ranee
Shillong -14
Irresponsible contractors
Editor,
It is observed that Govt. contractors/ sub-contractors unload their wares wherever convenient and when the work is completed they leave behind the debris on roads and footpaths for others to clear. This is visible in the ongoing construction near the Polo bridge leading to the gate of the CRPF camp. The boulders were unloaded on the road, occupying half the road while the sand on the other side has caused inconvenience to the movement of vehicles on this very busy road. I request the PWD officials to inspect such types of work before and after the construction work. Strict guidelines should be given to the contractors on where to unload and park their wares, and when the work is completed, to clean and clear the area where work is undertaken.
Yours etc.,
Reward N Rymbai,
Shillong-8
Food should equal nutrition
Editor,
Apropos the news item on the new food gallery at Mawlai DonBosco Museum( ST Sep 28, 2014) I would like to add a few comments. However good the idea of a food gallery is there are some humbling facts we need to remind ourselves: (a) In India 44pc of children are malnourished,out of which 45% have stunted growth and 20 % are too thin or ‘wasted’ (b) It has also been established that average height of North Koreans is much less than that of the South Koreans due to bad nutrition (c) In the last 50 years the average height of the poor in India increased by just 1-3cm as opposed to the middle class and rich who have gone up by 6-8cms.Tribals in India have been found to have grown shorter as the quality of their food intake has declined since forests have been barred from them.
I refer to this because on the day the Gallery was inaugurated the Chief Secretary of the State was accompanied by the Principal Secretary Forests and Environment; none of them are connected to health and nutrition. Yes there seems to be a new awareness about indigenous food habits. But the Don Bosco (as an educational institution)and the Government perhaps needs to be more concerned with the health and growth impact of many so-called ‘cultural’ ideas we have spawned, however tasty they might be.
Yours etc.,
Rasputin Bismarck Manners
Kolkatta