Editor,
For the people of Garo Hills, travelling by road for more than 200 kms to reach the Guwahati Airport to take a flight to other parts of the country is very far and inconvenient. The alternative to solve the problem is the Baljek Airport at Jengjal which is still non-operational despite being inaugurated some time ago by former President Pratibha Devisingh Patil. The reason why this important project has been kept on hold is because its runway is too short for taking off and landing of any commercial flight. Acquisition of land for expansion of runway of the Airport is urgently necessary.
In this situation, I fervently appeal to all those land owners and the Nokmas of the area to kindly part with their land for the greater cause and development of this region. I also appeal to the Government of Meghalaya and the Honorable Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma to kindly expedite the process of land acquisition and the pending works of the Airport to make it operational at the earliest. The people of Garo Hills are not happy with the present helicopter service from TuraGuwahati-Shillong. Every week the people from this region are also going out to other parts of the country by air for various purposes like education, medical treatment, business, shopping etc.
Therefore, the Baljek Airport if made operational, would serve the interests not only of the people of Garo Hills but also other parts of Meghalaya like Nongstoin, Riangdo, Shahlang including the adjoining Mankachar, Goalpara, Krishnai and Dudhnoi towns of Assam and hence the operation of flights from this remote town of Meghalaya to important cities of the country like Guwahati, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore etc by flight services like Jet airways, Indigo, Spice Jet etc will be commercially viable. It will also boost the economic condition of the people of this area. We thank Dr Mukul Sangma and his Government for the kind initiative of bringing Meghalaya into the railway Map of India by making Mendipathar Railway Station operational. The people of Garo Hills in particular and Meghalaya in general are awaiting the fulfillment of their dreams and do hope that the Government of Meghalaya under the able leadership of the present Chief Minister and the Prime Minister of the country would certainly fulfill their cherished dreams by making the Baljek Airport operational at the earliest possible time.
Yours etc.,
Kearson Sangma,
Tura.
Serving with loyalty
Editor,
Apropos to the letter under the same heading as above (Feb 20,2016) I would congratulate the author for enlightening us on the various facilities enjoyed by those who are in government service. As someone who has to sweat for my daily bread I feel I am one of the unfortunate one who could not get into government service. Anyway I am happy as I am, but I work with dignity and am faithful to those who do good to me. The message I would give to the government servants is that they should serve the government with dedication and sincerity because it is a public service. The ultimate beneficiaries of that service are the people and service to people is service to God. Keep away from politics and from unethical activities. There are countless number of qualified people in the localities who can become Rangbah Shnong. Let them take up the responsibility; why should government employees get entangled in controversies. In case a government servant gets into trouble he will be left to fend for himself. At that time there is no Synjuk to come to their rescue. Also it is clearly stated that no man can serve two masters. So why are government servants so keen to break that universal law?
Your etc.,
Gabriel S Khongriah,
Shillong-4
Forgiven and forgotten
Editor
Firstly I would like to thank your paper for publishing my letter “The Strait Brothers let us down”‘, which has ultimately led to a positive response from the band. Secondly I appreciate the band for responding to this letter and coming to visit us and apologising whole heartedly to our family. They clarified that their absence was due to sheer communication gap with one of the band members and nothing else. They have refunded our money and promised us and all the fans that this is the first time such a thing happened and it will be the last. We also accepted the apology whole heartedly and wish the band good luck.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request