Editor,
Public urination is a health hazard and a ubiquitous eyesore. In many countries this is highly punishable by fines and in western countries community service is another way of punishment but here in our country especially in our State, public urination is a way of life. Urination is a call of nature that no one can avoid. Taking this advantage, people in India and in our State openly urinate on the streets as a common habit showing no respect towards the passers-by that include females, but what action is taken? It is absurd to see that walls have become public toilets. Taking the example of the road connecting Don Bosco Square and St. Anthony’s College, ‘Jacob’s Ladder Road, this place has become a public urinal for male pedestrians including police personnel. Despite the sign which clearly says, ‘Do Not Urinate Here’ and ‘Wat Jung Hangne’, many people make it a point to stop their cars and urinate just below the sign, which prompts many people to rename it as Jacob’s Bladder Road.
A few days ago, a lady shouted when a very posh car without a name plate, full of young boys stopped to urinate. These shameless boys blasted loud music in response to her. But as a clap can make no sound without using two hands, so the blame cannot only go to the pedestrians worshipping these walls. There are many incomplete public toilets built by the Govt, one opposite Gurudwara near Governor’s House and one behind Meghalaya Secretariat parking lot to name a few. Unaccounted money is wasted on these public toilets. Who is auditing this expenditure? Holding one’s urge to pee is like entering the danger zone and taking care of our kidneys is one of our priorities. Holding the urine for a long period can stretch the bladder and no wonder many people in our state are suffering from kidney problems. ‘The Scotland of the East’ needs its Risorgimento. The public is desperate to curb this menace but feels helpless as they see no practical solutions in the absence of clean and functioning public toilets. Being a part of young and educated brigade and as a responsible citizen of the country, I personally feel it is my responsibility and duty to play my role and express my unhappiness to see people using public places as urinal. I want to keep my planet and my surroundings clean and hygienic. I request the Government especially Ms. Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister of Urban Affairs to curb this menace and strict laws should be implemented and mobile urinals should be introduced in public places
Yours etc.,
Michelle Pariat
Shillong 3
A clear misunderstanding
Editor,
Apropos the letter titled as above by Khrawpyrkhat Mawrie (ST Mar 7, 2015) as a rejoinder to my article on NPR (ST Mar 5, 2015) I express deep regret for the aberrations in my article. My article, therefore, stands amended as follows: “Oh great Khasi Pnar male, myself included! How hypocritical thou art! Khlein la thang, jwat la bam. Ksan rympei, rem dorbar.” (It may be noted that the English translation of those adages is not mine, but that of the Editor’s for the benefit of non-Khasi speaking readers).
I have all along been taught that culture and tradition are not the same. I very sincerely thank Khrawpyrkhat for enlightening that culture and tradition are the same. With regards to dress code, I have all along believed that something very special is attached to dress especially when I saw the Pope dressed in snow white soutane, the Cardinals in purple robes, the Bishops/priest in white or black habits, the nuns and nurses in their distinctive attire different from the ordinary.
Yours etc.,
- Pyrtuh
- Shillong-14
Harassing the customer
Editor,
This is to draw the attention of the concerned authority/authorities of the Central Bank, (opposite Anjali Cinema Hall) to a horrific experience faced by me and many others who were stranded outside the Cash Deposit machine for making transactions as the bank clerks were not accepting deposits at the counter. The CD machine seems to work like an octogenarian clerk. There is no proper space inside the ATM room. The footpath was sufficient , it seemed to the management, to be our waiting room where we could be looted any time and also get sun-burnt. After waiting for about thirty minutes the lights went off and there was no power back up facility. This frustrating experience coupled with the faulty machine prompted me to insist that the clerk accept my cash deposit. I vow not to bank with this particular bank ever again as there are several other banks with better facilities and customer service. Bankers should know we are doing them a favour by depositing our hard earned money with them. So it’s not our duty to comply to arbitrary rules of the bank because they are actually the service providers. They are supposed to show care and concern for customers, not to harass them. Also please enlighten me as to which provisions of the Banking Regulation Act of 1949 or any Reserve Bank of India Notification says that the cash counter is for making deposits above Rs 40,000 only and any amount below that should be by the use of these obsolete machines which are pathetic to say the least. The attitude of banks is that of a patron who doubles the money we save with them by giving us a mere four percent interest for our deposits. There are other ways to secure our money than depositing it with them through investments. In fact it is better for us to invest in a good Hi tech- safe than waste our money and time and health with bank hassles especially for customers like me who deposit amounts less than Rs 40,000. I shudder to think of the plight of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (Zero Balance) account holders with this particular bank. The Bank Management must remember there are numerous ways to make them function as per the Law. An eminent jurist once quoted thus, Law is made for man and not Man for the Law”.
Yours etc,
A harassed citizen
(Name withheld on request)