Editor,
I echo the feelings of Mr DM Pariat in the letter, “The pothole and the PM” (ST June 4, 2016). Apparently it required the visit of the PM to the state to fill up potholes on all the roads that the PM travelled on during his visit here. One would like to add here that it was during the PM’s visit that the entrance and exit gates at the Civil Hospital were kept clear off all the makeshift food stalls. The place wore a clean, congestion free and spacious look. The footpath was free for the pedestrians to use at ease unlike at all times i.e. prior to the PM’s visit whereby one end of the footpath itself was blocked as it had been conveniently used by hawkers to set up their shops. Needless to say this inhibited free movement for passersby even forcing them to squeeze their way amidst heavy traffic. One must say that as of now the place is still clear of hawkers and makeshift stalls. But for how long? With the passage of time both the gates of the Hospital and footpath will again be crowded by shops if the authorities concerned do not put their foot down and put a permanent halt to them. The reason I say this is because today a couple of hawkers have begun to throng the place carrying their goods in small baskets which will eventually translate into bigger boxes, if it is allowed to go unchecked. One has no personal grudge against the hawkers nor does one have any intention of snatching away their means of livelihood. In fact one strongly believes that the hawkers need to be provided a space of their own so that they do not encroach and occupy any space they find convenient. One also strongly feels that the footpaths and roads in and around the city must be strictly used by pedestrians for free movement and not for makeshift shops. If truth be told, then it is not only the area around the Civil Hospital which needs to be free of congestion but several other places like Motphran, Iewduh etc., to name a few.
Yours etc.,
Jennifer Dkhar,
Via email
Clarification from FCC
Editor,
Apropos the article titled “Meghalaya’s Inconvenient Truth” by H. H. Mohrmen (ST June 6, 2016) the entire analysis on Frontier Chamber of Commerce is baseless and without any facts. The delegation of the Chamber met the Prime Minister and sough his intervention in the Smart City project, improvement of the National Highway 44, up-gradation of Umroi Airport and development of infrastructure. The Chamber also demanded that Central government must come up with policies for development of north eastern region taking into consideration local strength and opportunities. In our memorandum, we have not mentioned about coal mining. Only during a verbal discussion we informed the Prime Minister that because of NGT ban on coal mining, the economy of the region has been badly affected and as such a comprehensive policy for development of the region is essential, taking into consideration local strengths and opportunities. Mr Mohrmen has used unparliamentarily language by calling Frontier Chamber of Commerce as selfish. It is for information of the author that none of the members of Frontier Chamber of Commerce is involved in coal mining nor any coal related activities. Also we may mention that the Chamber has not demanded anything for the business community of Shillong.
Yours etc.,
Sajjan Kumar Tharad)
Hony General Secretary
Frontier Chamber of Commerce
Climate Change impact on plains of Garo Hills
Editor,
Every year the river Jinjiram and its confluence the Ringgi cause immense hardship during the monsoons by creating turbulence of flash floods and causing death and destruction. The changing course of Ringgi river towards the Shyamnagar valley are a major concern for the settled populace. Rise in the water level of Brahmaputra and Jinjiram in Phulbari, West Garo Hills, pose a detrimental threat in the years ahead. Even the downstream of Ganol river, near Damalgre and adjoining points, one can see the changing patterns of the course of the river. This happens due to excessive and unscientific method of ‘Sand Mining’ and extraction of mud beds from the river. As per the reports on Climate Change, half of Bangladesh will be submerged under water by 2030.The days are numbered and we’re yet to take action against the ‘Climate Deniers’. There will be a massive demographic displacement in Garo Hills, and North East in particular. Once population displacement occurs, it becomes a cumbersome task for any law enforcing agency and even for the government to control the impending environmental destruction. The reason behind the infiltration into the Indian territory is due to ‘Climate Change’. Many of the low lying areas in Bangladesh are partially or fully submerged under water. The affected populace have no other alternatives but to migrate from one place to another in search of food and livelihoods. The fertile lands and valleys along the river Brahmaputra and Jinjiram become a safe haven for such immigrants. The present scenario is petrifying, unless and untill, some concrete and comprehensive measures are initiated by the State and Central Government. This is an extremely serious subject and both the State and the Centre must initiate immediate steps to mitigate such form of extraneous intrusions from across the border. The rivers of our country are an easy entry for the antisocial elements to take advantage of the porous international border. Climate Change not only displaces a particular territory but it also creates disruptions to the ‘Indigenous Communities’.
Yours etc.,
Samgar R Sangma
CEPARD,