Editor
I am amazed to find colourful advertisements in The Shillong Times for Republic Day events to be held in Shillong, Jowai and other parts of Meghalaya inviting people to take part in the extravaganza. I am happy because this represents the true spirit of Meghalaya which speaks of nationalism and its values. It also speaks about the aspirations of the people of Meghalaya who want to celebrate the occasion with the rest of the country. It is this soil of Meghalaya where patriots like U-Tirot Singh were born, and the way to pay tribute to such martyrs is remembering and valuing their contributions on national events like Republic Day and Independence Day. But unfortunately these national events are always hijacked by the extremists who always call a bandh on these days. I have two visuals in my mind. The event location where nearby people would attend the Republic Day parade. And the other visual is of a deserted Shillong city. For the militants it might be a victory to stop people from commuting on Republic Day, but the silence on the streets of Shillong is not just silence but a deafening noise that shouts how we the people of this city are fed up of it. My point is that if the advertisements are inviting people to come and join the celebrations, then they should also ensure that adequate public transport including private taxis are available. But will transport ply on the bandh day? I just feel the Government and the civil society should unite together and defy such bandhs on national days. For how long we will tolerate it? This annual bandh culture on national days has to be boycotted by all of us. If we don’t try then who will? Hope a day comes soon when we the people of Meghalaya can proudly claim to have celebrated our National events without any bandhs being imposed forcibly.
Yours etc.,
Souvik Das,
Via email
Swacch Bharat campaign a joke
Editor,
I want to draw the attention of the concerned authorities and also the responsible citizens of Shillong through your esteemed daily that the participants of the Republic Day run have made “Swacch Bharat Campaign “a joke. The participants were throwing empty water bottles on the street while running. If every single person irrespective of age takes the responsibility to keep their surroundings clean then we can achieve a clean India.
Yours etc.,
Chaitali Choudhury,
Via email
Historic occasion
Editor,
It would be a historic event when two self made leaders grace the occasion of India’s Republic Day. When Barack Obama became the President of the United States of America in 2008 it reassured the world that the American dream is alive and kicking. It is interesting to note that Obama cited the example of another American of African descent, Jay Z as the epitome of someone who has achieved the American dream. Likewise India for the first time has a Prime Minister who has made it to the top by dint of sheer hard work, grit and determination. The story of Narendra Modi has inspired millions of people not just in India but around the world. Could this be the start of a new era in India where every person can aspire to make it to the top irrespective of caste, colour or creed or putting it simply, “Chase the Indian dream?”
Yours etc.,
Gary Marbaniang,
Via email