Editor,
The Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) and MUDA in the recent past has penalized over a dozen residents and traders in town for polluting and releasing effluents in public spaces. But it is puzzling that the same civic authorities are turning a blind towards those who have reduced the Quinton Road in Police Bazar into a sewage stream. The irony is that the MUDA parking lot is also contributing to the display of filth right in the heart of the city. One can see clearly that the rear side of this parking lot followed by a row of buildings (all G+4 and above) till the lane that connects Thana Road are openly dumping sewage and other wastes into this road. And when it rains the damage is collateral since the filth tends to enter the low lying basements of commercial buildings and private houses. It is a chaotic sight here which the local MLA, Roshan Warjri is neglecting with impunity. It does indeed need a display of political thick skin to ignore one’s own constituents – with whose vote she is today enjoying her share in the state cabinet – in this manner. The draining of sanitary and drain water in this road 24×7 has reduced the pedestrians to ballet dancers as they skirt the slush and filth flowing on the filthy road. The huge-sized potholes with vehicles running over them will make anyone nauseas as the dirty water splashes on to peoples clothes. I have learnt that residents here are using two pairs of shoes one for walking on this horribly dirty road, which they never take inside their homes, and another pair for the interiors. Not just this, when people return half bathed in this filthy water while walking on this road they have to take a bath compulsorily after reaching home. I want to ask SMB and MUDA here whether the violating traders / buildings have greased their palms so much so they are unable to lift a pen to issue them a penal notice. Is MUDA, which is located less than a stone’s throw away from Quinton Road, unable to keep its own backyard clean?
Yours etc.
PK Dwivedi
Shillong – 1
Kudos to the CM!
Editor,
As the whole world rejoices at the canonization of our beloved Mother Teresa, apostle of love and charity, the people Meghalaya join in the celebrations. The International Film Festival on Mother Teresa organized by SIGNIS in collaboration with the Shillong Archdiocese, Jowai Diocese and the Missionaries of Charity, is a fitting tribute to this great and valiant saint of our motherland. India today, has not only Bapuji to showcase to the world the rich human values, but we now have St. Teresa of Kolkata to reinforce the positive image of our country. She was like a comet looming into the Indian sky to enlighten our countrymen. Her message of peace through her life of love and service still rings loud in our hearts and in the consciousness of the world. It is heartening to know that Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma, during his speech at the opening function in Soso Tham Auditorium, declared that the Day of Mother Teresa would be observed annually in the State. This is truly good news for all Meghalayans and for those who cherish great love and admiration for the saint. In my humble opinion, perhaps 5th of September which is the feast day of St. Teresa of Kolkata could be chosen as the day for State celebration. That day could also be declared as Peace Day for the State of Meghalaya which would be quite fitting, for St. Teresa of Kolkata was an ardent champion of peace in the world for which she received the Magsaysay Award for Peace in 1962, the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize in 1971 and then the highest honour, the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
In the context of North-east India where there is so much of ethnic unrest and militancy, peace is an imperative in our society. We do appreciate the step taken by our Chief Minister and as he said, this would be a way of fostering the rich human values that Mother lived, in the minds and hearts of our people. We hope that other States of our region would follow the good initiative taken to honour this great saint and to keep alive the gospel of peace that she propagated.
Yours etc.,
Barnes Mawrie sdb,
Via email
Online shopping
Editor,
I am a shop keeper, who has lost 70% sales because of online shopping, so have the other shop keepers. I would like to ask our government in Meghalaya whether they are gaining any revenue from the online sellers. If not they are suffering 70% loss of tax. The tax money we pay goes towards payment of salaries of government employees but if purchases are done online Meghalaya does not get any tax. Ultimately we are all losers and the state revenue declines miserably. We all suffer in long run. I am not against online purchases bit if I buy something online, and our Government does not get tax benefits then it’s equal to piracy. After the GST , if all business is done online, then there will be no revenue for Meghalaya. These are my thoughts as a retail shop owner.
Yours etc.,
Vikash Sharma, Via email