Editor,
The letter, “Making a mockery of Indian Constitution” by Sujit De, (ST April 18, 2016) was a wonderful awakening of our national intellectual slumber. It was indeed a very insightful and perceptive observation by Sujit De. I strongly support his proposal that the Indian nation should not give sports awards in the name of a mythical cruel teacher Dronacharya. To name such a prestigious national sports award after Dronacharya is directly and indirectly encouraging sadistic and exploitative culture in our society. A saint or a sage or an exemplar should be the icon for any kind of award and not a devilish and greedy teacher like Dronacharya who had completely rejected and thoroughly discouraged a budding and brilliant student of archery like Eklavya. On the 125th birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar, the Haryana Government decided to rename the mythical crooked Dronacharya’s native place ‘Gurgaon’ as ‘Gurugram.’ This clearly reflects a patently manifest and complete backward, retrogressive and literal reading of mythical narrative by the Haryana BJP Government. What a shame indeed for this whole country that such blind deification of individuals from a constructed past and with questionable behaviours still continues in 21st century India.
Yours truly,
Prof. X. P. Mao, NEHU,
Via email
Road improvement along Short Round Road.
Editor,
Often we read in the newspapers that road improvement work by the State PWD is being carried out shabbily. The objective is to extract maximum benefit by not doing the works as per specifications provided in the estimates. These cases are perhaps in collusion with the site engineers, otherwise, the work would not be in such pathetic conditions that even a year is too long to withstand wear and tear. However, it is my duty as a citizen to highlight the good works done and also show appreciation. For example, the contractors and the Dept should get a well deserved appreciation for the road widening and improvement along the Short Round Road (MeECL, Lumjingshai Office towards FCI office and godown). The road construction, widening and drains (both cross and side drains) are well constructed. We can now see that the purpose of the drains constructed has meaning. The slope provided to allow the water to flow into the drains is meaningful whereas in most cases the drains are not made according to specifications. Sooner than later the drains are filled up with the nearby spoils. Soling, consolidation and carpeting are more or less being carried out as per engineering practices. This example set by the contractors will be an example for others .to see and realize that money is not everything at least where this particular stretch of the road is concerned. Here is case of public money well spent.
Yours etc.,
A concerned citizen
Cable TV services.
Editor,
I am a resident of Laban and for more than fifteen years I have been a subscriber of a particular Cable TV Network providing service in our area and am satisfied with the services rendered by the service provider. I came to know that Govt. had announced/notified that the old cable system would be totally shut down on April 1, 2016 in the north-east to pave the way for complete digitalization of the system. Accordingly, prior to the above date, I had installed a set-top box so as not to deprive myself of going without cable TV network. But what I don’t understand is that my neighbour who has a cable connection from another service provider is still enjoying the old system till date (April 18, 2016) without installing a set-top box. I therefore, would like to urge the concerned authority through the columns of your esteemed daily to clarify if the deadline set by Govt. has been extended, and if not, is this not a violation of Govt orders by the service provider.
Yours etc.,
B S Shabong
Shillong -4