Editor,
With the landmark directive to demolish unauthorized structures along the banks of the Wahumkhrah and Umshyrpi rivers, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has donned the mantle of Saviour of Meghalaya. This recent directive, coming on the heels of the coal-mining ban, shows that NGT means business and will not tolerate political interference. The illegal encroachment along the banks of these two rivers has happened under the guidance of a certain turncoat politician who is known for playing vote-bank politics. This gentleman has himself acquired property and assets worth several crores of rupees in and around the encroached areas. No doubt the people who have been illegally encroaching for many years are more than happy to pay him his “dues” for services rendered. His party (Congress) has been turning a blind eye to his role in encouraging illegal encroachments in order to tap into his vote-bank at election time! I suppose it is totally unnecessary to name the gentleman since we all know who he is. The question is, shouldn’t he be prosecuted and punished for enriching himself from illegal activities like these which could never have begun without his active support? Why is the Congress Party silent about his role in illegal encroachments? Thank you NGT, for saving us from short-sighted politicians whose limitless greed has devastated the environment and our lives for many years! We hope to see NGT stepping in next to rescue the polluted Umiam Lake with another far-sighted directive to our useless Government forcing them to take immediate action.
Yours etc.,
David Rynjah,
Via email
Headmen or Outlaws?
Editor,
The headmen of Greater Shillong under the banner of Synjuk Ki Rangbah Shnong have decided to openly defy the High Court, as per the report in your paper. By this foolish and brazen act, they have effectively declared themselves as modern day outlaws. Inviting the wrath of the judiciary with open defiance is something each one of these power hungry headmen is going to regret, I have a feeling. They cannot hide behind fancy banners and absolve themselves of individual accountability for their actions. What kind of example are they setting for society? If every citizen were to follow their example, then there would be nothing short of anarchy. Power and money have corrupted them to the extent that they think they are above the law! What action will the High Court take to discipline these errant headmen? The role of the KHADC CEM in instigating these headmen to defy the Court cannot be ruled out.
Yours etc.,
Clive Marbaniang
Shillong -3
Unresolved resolutions!
Editor,
These days one hardly hears that common refrain,”What is your New Year resolution?” in the last few days of December. Looks like New Year resolutions are facing virtual extinction. Not that such self-created vows ever worked but the subject was a clichéd recipe in the run up to New Year.The concept was like inviting an odd acquaintance, whom we avoid throughout the year, to celebrate New Year’s eve by drinking, dancing and singing Auld Lang Syne at midnight, only to forget him the following morning. The reason that New Year’s resolutions are endangered is because of an innate, unconscious resolution not to change. For every avowed decision to lose weight, stop drinking, quit smoking, save money, control temper, complete a project; there are unconscious commitments to keep things exactly the way they are. In fact indulgence with most “dispensable” habits begin with a vengeance as the year end draws closer with the comforting alibi – “I shall give up all from next year”. Yet to maintain sta-tus quo there are plenty of excuses. A large Patiala peg to overcome hangover or a few puffs to ensure smooth passage of unsettled culinary delights in the “hot seat” on New Year’s morning, although bound by resolution to shun both drinking and smoking. This triggers the process of breaking resolutions. The reasoning is that both are liabilities brought forward from the previous year! New Year’s resolutions don’t work because we make too many which are not followed up by starting the right way and working hard to actually achieve them. All resolutions seem like they are supposed to work, but are actually not intended to. Maybe the idea is dying because in the back of our minds we know we’re not actually going to follow those resolutions to the letter. So New Year’s resolutions are best forgotten so that one gets away from the conflict of having to be at war with oneself. The fun and banter associated with such vows shall however be missed.
Yours etc.,
Naba Bhattacharya,
Via email