Editor,
There is a perceived widespread credence that if BJP is returned to power in Bihar by November 8 next, the first and fore-most step of this saffron regime is to blatantly copy cat its counter-parts of Maharashtra, Haryana etc., in imposing a blanket ban on meat and beef sales besides ensuring stringent controls on cattle movements in the entire state of Bihar. The immediacy of pursuing this avowed agenda will over-ride all development programmes as enunciated during this party’s poll campaigns and welfare oriented promises that feature in the party’s manifesto. Consequent upon which an adverse economic reverberation shall be felt even in our distant state of Meghalaya where trade on beef offers a very viable scope of employment to a huge section of the majority tribal folks of Meghalaya and other North Eastern States. It bears mention that farmers in Bihar and elsewhere in India invariably sell aged cows, oxen and buffalos to abattoirs for exporting beef products to various countries of the world on a large scale and also to transport these animals to the beef consuming states of India like the North East. Indeed, this has contributed to India becoming the biggest beef exporter in the world. However, with the impending ban on cow slaughter/export in Bihar, I visualize the plight of the Indian farmers will be worse off than the current rate of farmers’ suicide, owing to crop failure which is regularly highlighted in our media. It is also reported that following the ban on beef in some BJP ruled states, the price of aged cattle has almost crashed to zero levels, whereby farmers who own million of cattle have found themselves in a whirling vortex of economic crises. Furthermore, most farmers in Bihar who own oxen for ploughing and transport, apart from cow for milk, after twelve years, on average, find that no cow can give milk and after fourteen years no bullock can pull a plough, thus implying that at the end of fourteen years these animals have become out and out a liability, but by not disposing them off, it involves huge monetary expenditures to keep these retirees watered and fed. The cost of fodder etc., will far outstrip any returns whatsoever. Who will, therefore, defray for such maintenance? Has Prime Minister Modi ever given a thought to this grim reality? Hence, I urge the indigenous people and beef traders of Meghalaya in particular and the other tribals of the North East in general to pray and keep their fingers crossed and to hope that BJP is soundly defeated and that it bites the dust in Bihar as it did in the last Delhi Assembly elections a few months ago.
Yours etc
Jerome Diengdoh
Shillong – 2
Pathetic roads in Upper Shillong
Editor,
I am writing this letter to make the Government aware about the pathetic road condition in the Upper Shillong Area (Lummawbah, Nongkseh and Laimer areas) of Shillong, East Khasi Hills District under National Highways. For the past five years I have been noticing the deteriorating condition of these roads. The crux of the matter is that there are more than four secondary schools, a crèche, an Anganwadi centre and residential houses all connected through this road, not to speak of students of city schools commuting through these roads. There were repairs being carried out now and then but they were only superficial and when the rains come, everything is washed away, leaving behind potholes where people cannot walk and vehicles find it difficult to ply on the roads. There is also the danger to the life and limbs of the commuters travelling on these roads and pedestrians walking on them. I request the PWD to help the residents of these areas by making these roads motorable as soon as possible. I hope the PWD will compassionately consider and address the agony and troubles of the people living in these areas. Help us by giving us the basic right and access to at least good roads especially when we are supposed to soon live in the Smart City of Shillong.
Yours etc., Ladaplin War Kharpuri,
Principal Cherished Buds’ School
Shillong -5
Media responsibility
Editor
Media is an important emergency service and one of the pillars of democracy that just cannot remain closed on account of public and religious holidays. Most emergency services have rotational service so that all the employees can get the benefits of holidays and recreation necessary for their health and general well being. But no emergency service can go off the hook on account of mass holidays on religious grounds. The complete closure of the office on account of the Durga Puja and Dashera across the nation by some news agencies is not appreciable. Indian media need to introspect how justified this long holiday break is for sincere journalists dedicated to the task of providing quality and emergency news material for the public? Can the highly respected profession of journalism take the life of an ordinary citizen and work on ordinary citizen’s schedule and avoid their principal responsibility of keeping the public well informed on a daily basis? Responsible India media need to think of this practice of mass holidaying by a section of journalists and staff members of different media agencies (newspapers) across the nation. It does not happen in any other progressive democratic country across the globe and Indian media should not deviate from the dedicated service executed by their global fraternity by embracing mass holidaying on religious grounds. Several news agencies in the nation have already moved away from such a practice and kept their office open; why should then a handful continue with this malpractice in a secular nation representing the largest global democracy.
Yours etc.,
Saikat Kumar Basu,
Lethbridge AB Canada T1J 4B3