Editor,
The aspiration of the Khasi, Jaintia, Garo and all the genuine citizens of Meghalaya is that the capital market of Meghalaya viz the Iewduh (Bara Bazar) and its periphery ought not only to be spotlessly clean but also to be a modern market according to the needs of the changing times.
The visits of Urban Affairs Minister, R.V Lyngdoh, the Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma on September 29, 2016 followed by the visit of the Governor, S.Shanmuganathan on October 2, 2016 has re-emphasized the importance of the State’s oldest and biggest market and has given a new dimension to its image. This market was previously known as the “rice plate of Khasi-Jaintia Hills” because it was the main business centre that sustained the livelihood of the Khasi-Jaintia people. This market was also known as the “Iew Niam” or traditional religious market because it was established and sanctified through propitiation and religious sacrifice and ceremonies to “Lei Shyllong” (the God of Shyllong) and every year two religious sacrifices used to be performed, one during early spring and the other in late autumn. In both religious sacrifices roosters and he-goats are used for sacrifices which continues to this day.
Many sellers and buyers in this market have lauded the token visits of the VIPs of the state of Meghalaya. They said that none of the former Governors and former Khasi Chief Ministers had ever visited this premiere market in the past. Some of the leaders and even the vendors have praised the present Syiem of Mylliem, Mr. Ricky Syiem, for leading the VIPs in the market and for his full co-operation during the visits.
What is more important for the Governor, the Chief Minister and the Urban Affairs Minister, the E.M Market of KHADC and the team of P.N Syiem, the Syiem of Mylliem and his Dorbar is to put their heads together, plan out how to work collectively to ensure cleanliness of this well-known market, the Iew Mawlong, the Anjalee locality, the Sweeper colony, the Motphran area, the G.S.Road, the Tirot Sing Road, the Jeep Stand, the Ri Bhoi Stand, the Lukier Road and the upper reaches of Iewduh. Again, it is also of utmost importance to convert Iewduh into a Modern Market to suit the needs of the present. The Syiem and his Dorbar must co-operate and get rid of the outdated mindset and their selfish motives. There is more than sufficient money and technology to ensure that this market is transformed into a modern super market. The Syiem and his Dorbar should transcend their narrow mindedness and fear and reach out to the State Government to get the necessary funding from different agencies to ensure transformation of this market.
Let this market be the pride of not only the Syiem of Mylliem and his Dorbar but also the pride of the Khasi and Jaintia people and the whole of Meghalaya, where people from all parts of India and abroad will flock to see this traditional market and to derive manifold economic benefits from it. If this is not done quickly, Iewduh which is already under extreme pressure from overcrowded stalls, vendors using the thoroughfare to sell their wares and also the pressure from garbage and filth, will crumble under its own weight. As of now, this market has reached its nadir. There is chaos and anarchy everywhere and the Syiem of Mylliem and his Dorbar have no control over its chaotic conditions but they only draw huge revenue from sellers without any semblance of responsibility, accountability and discipline. This cannot go on!
Yours etc.,
Philip Marweiñ,
Shillong-2.
Facilitating infiltration!!
Editor,
Apropos the news item captioned” Stop Border fencing survey” ( ST Sep 27, 2016) I would like to say that the traditional bodies and NGOs under the CCIB have exhibited their true colours in opposing the proposed fencing of border with Bangladesh. The motive of the fencing is to stop infiltration by Bangladeshis and militant groups and theft by Bangladeshis. We have suffered a lot due to intrusion of miscreants from across the border who come in groups and steal our crops. Now that the CCIB is opposing the border fencing it shows that they are in favour of infiltration by Bangladeshis and are against the safety and security of lives and property of the Indian citizens living in the border areas. Furthermore their intention is to facilitate border crossing of militants, which transpires that these cohorts, under the name of tradition and NGOs, are faithful agents of various militant groups of the North Eastern states operating from Bangladesh.
Yours etc.,
Robin Ryngksai, PS Iawram,
Shillong