Editor,
I was able to listen at first a little casually, but as it proceeded , with rapt attention to the PM’s very powerful address to the joint session of the U S Congress. At the outset I have to congratulate Mr Modi and all Indians for such a deeply thought out, well delivered and well received speech, enriched as it was with quotes from great men like Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Swamy Vivekananda, Thoreau, Martin Luther King and former Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpaayee. Indeed it was an audience’s delight. It sought to search deeply into the history and background of these two nations, reaffirming the strong basis of our mutual friendship and shared values. That the entire Congress was on their feet more than half a dozen times in a standing ovation and over two dozen clapping interventions speaks for itself. The very appropriate, well thought out, and more than that, well constructed and delivered with total finesse the dig, a backhander if there ever was one, at the opposition of both countries was a gem. Nancy Polaski and Paul Ryan, the leaders of the two political parties there were squirming in their seats as must have been the case with our very own Ghulam Nabi Azad , all of whose puerile obstructionist tactics were well known.
Congratulations Prime Minister you have done us proud ! The sincerity and the gravity of the address stands out in marked contrast to the irresponsible utterances of the loose cannon Donald Trump,( thought first of calling him Duck, but refrained as it may hurt that lovable character’s admirers) and closer home our very own Rahul ( again resisting to call him Pappu as it may adversely affect my relations with the canine world – that being the name of my favourite dog).. While one is systematically destroying the Republican Party in America the other is dealing a similar fate to the Congress Party in India.. The P M’s flawless and lucid delivery of the speech has surprised many, but they underestimate his perseverance towards self improvement. It has also disappointed the cocktail circuit and their mouthpieces in some of the English language T V channels at being denied their sniggers at everything about Modi. Flawless delivery? Well almost. Someone could whisper in his ears that the correct pronunciation of ‘is’– is not ‘iz’!
Yours etc.,
Lt Col (Rtd) Anjan Datta,
Shillong -4
Do hawkers own our footpaths?
Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I wish to air my concern about the dangers faced by pedestrians especially the school going children who have to risk their lives while passing by the Shillong Civil Hospital Road. They are forced to walk on the main road and rub shoulders with the passing vehicles because the foot path meant for them (pedestrians) have been totally occupied and blocked by the hawkers who run their daily businesses. Why is the District Authority so lazy and incompetent about keeping an eye on this dangerous and hazardous day to day activities. Is anyone listening, please?
Yours etc.,
Banylla S
Shillong-4
Problem of smaller denominations!
Editor,
I find it extremely necessary to touch upon a perennial problem of shortage of 100 rupee notes and other smaller denominations in Tura. The ATMs are mostly only loaded with currency notes of Rs 500 denomination and the customer is forced to withdraw amounts in multiples of the same. Being an entrepreneur myself, I know what an arduous task it is to get banks to give you denominations of 10, 20, 50 and 100 rupee notes in exchange. For the private banks operating in the town, the source for denominations is the State Bank of India and on my enquiry I found out that even they have a hard time procuring denominations, especially 100 rupee notes, from the SBI. The cashier at the SBI main branch is utterly rude and uncooperative. The problem for change in Tura is so acute (and persistent) that the people refuse to part with whatever stock of smaller denomination notes that they might have. Many altercations take place between customers and shopkeepers everyday – because of the unavailability of change with either of them. It is the need of the hour to bring in circulation of smaller denominations in the town to end this artificial hullabaloo around 100 rupee notes. I appeal to the concerned authorities to look into the matter and address the problem urgently as it has become really difficult to go on normally with the day to day business be it for the common man or even the private banks.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
Hawakhana, Tura