Editor,
I was heartened by the response to “Benami Transactions in MUDA” (ST,14th Oct. 2016) by one PK Dwivedi (MUDA Affairs, ST 19 Oct. 2016)and am glad that Dwivedi reaffirmed my contention that stalls in MUDA Complex are held in Benami clutches ‘ right under the nose of MUDA’. However, I strongly rebut Dwivedi’s generalised allegation that we tribals are lazy and alcoholic louts and therefore not fit for any front office. A walk down Laitumkhrah, Mawlai, Mawkhar Main road, etc., will reveal many tribals doing brisk business without having non-tribal managers. Come to Khyndailad after 8 PM and witness our tribal boys dishing out top class fares to tourists and locals alike at rates that will send many a non-tribal businessman back to their account books. The scenario amongst tribals in Meghalaya has undergone a sea change over the years thanks to government policies, parental guidance, and general awareness. Tribals are out to capture the world and many have excelled in their respective fields.
However, the crux of the matter at MUDA is not who is managing what but whether the sub-letting of the stalls is legal and under the ambit of law. The fact that I have brought out the point that stalls under question all have non-tribal managers is only to give some direction to the MUDA authorities, who seem to be in some form of hibernation, to weed out the defaulter stall holders and start the process of resumption. Also the tribals who have sublet/sold their stalls and their non-tribal occupants are both partners-in-crime as any erudite person will know. At MUDA the number of stalls being operated by the original allottees, with or without managers, can be counted on one’s fingers. Again, these names I keep for another occasion lest MUDA fails the accountability test. I suppose defending crime is also tantamount to committing crime. The excuses laid forth by Dwivedi in support of the benami perpetrators belittles the enormity of financial crime being committed 24X7 in MUDA Shopping Complex, Khyndailad that calls for investigation by higher and more committed authorities. Preferably by those who have sharper and more powerful fangs like those of the CBI or the High Court.
Yours etc.
Jonathan Lyngdoh,
Shillong-3
Indian Muslims are loyal citizens
Editor,
Apropos the letter by PK Dwidedi (ST, Oct 26, 2016), while I agree with him that making high decibel noise is not appropriate but I’m totally disappointed at how he pointed out the Jhalupara Area where the Islamic festival of Muharram is being celebrated. Playing drums or celebrating Islamic festival doesn’t make the Muslims Pakistanis or Jhalupara area a mini Pakistan. He is questioning the patriotic sentiments of the Muslims residing in Jhalupara area. If he is calling the place a mini Pakistan because the population of Muslims in the area is high, then he should also know that not only Muslims but various people from other communities like Nepalese, Biharis, Bengalis, Khasis etc reside in the area. Even if the area holds a large Muslims population, Dwivedi does not have any right to call this place a mini Pakistan. Jhalupara is in Meghalaya, India and the people residing in the area are Indians, not Pakistanis. So I request him and every other person who keep a thought like him that Muslims are not Indians, or that they do not have the patriotic feelings for India, that they are wrong. And I also request Dwivedi not to such inflammatory language on a public platform.
Yours etc
Akram Iqbal
Shillong-2
Pakistani artistes
Editor,
Ever since the Uri attack and the retaliatory surgical strikes by the Indian Army in POK, the clamour for banning Pakistani artistes and their movies in India has grown louder by the day. All of us talk at home, at work and everywhere about terrorism and Pakistan, but eventually move on with our lives. For the last many decades, Pakistan’s military, ISI and the government have been funding, training and supporting terrorists to cause trouble in India. As a result of their nefarious designs, we have never been able to put unswerving focus on development. Most of the resources and time have only been wasted in fighting insurgency and separatism in Kashmir. Nevertheless, we have created dedicated channel for Pakistani serials and made their artists our heroes.
We know well that Pakistani artistes aren’t terrorists. But people like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Atif Aslam, Ali Zafar, Fawad Khan etc., have a mass following; when they talk, people listen. We should ask them and all the artistes from Pakistan working here to take a definitive stand on these issues. Do they support these terrorist attacks perpetrated by their country on us? And if not, what would they like to convey to their fellow countrymen? Unfortunately, when faced with these situations, Pakistani artistes always prefer to remain silent. This has more to do with the fear of a possible backlash in their country rather than any dislike for India or its people.
Post the Uri attack and subsequent military strikes by India, the government is trying as it should to completely isolate Pakistan-politically, economically and militarily. When such efforts are on, how can we be at peace, doing the business of mutual entertainment? Bollywood must therefore take a united stand and support the ban. If they are to come back, their country has to make substantial efforts to normalize the situation with us and make the atmosphere propitious.It is indeed regretful that in this moment of national crisis, where the first concern of every Indian should have been safety of the country, its soldiers and the fellow citizens, the prime concern for some people in Bollywood like Salman Khan, Karan Johar & Om Puri was ‘Pakistani artistes and their continued patronage by this country’.
Yours etc.,
Subhasish Das
Kahilipara, Guwahati.