Editor,
Through this letter I would like to express my concern over the negativity that has been brought out in Patricia Mukhim’s article,” NH7 Weekender..some gratuitous comments” (ST October 28, 2016), at the recently concluded Weekender NH 7 Festival in Shillong and its repercussions. The Event on the whole was successfully completed and yes, we too have experienced faults and glitches in our projects whether it’s events, tours or production for travel and film houses. We must understand that NH 7 is organized on a magnitude of a different level and must acknowledge the efforts of Mr. Vijay Nair and the entire crew for bringing such a festival to Shillong. Apart from harping on only the negative side of such events we have forgotten to mention what it has brought to Meghalaya in terms of tourism ( as that is all I am concerned about). The organizers may have raked in on the ‘moolah’ for two days, but we have failed to see the positive side of the rest of Meghalaya raking in profits from the event as well and that too for an entire week!
Our hotels, guest houses, home stays etc. were packed to the rafters and this prompted our stakeholders to run camp sites with amenities for the huge number of visitors. We had travellers from all over India as well as abroad who carried on from there to places like Sohra, Mawlynnong, Dawki and Jaintia Hills. Motorcyclists staying at our camp rode on to beautiful locations and stayed on for days (This is our livelihood)! We have always worked earnestly to promote tourism here, whether it is motorcycle tourism, adventure tourism or even leisure tourism. We henceforth encouraged our guests to continue on their journey by arranging vehicles and accommodation at different locations. These were the same revelers who visited NH7 and I can say for one, they were the most amazing bunch of people I have ever met. Our conversations over breakfast, every morning, and again late into the night after the festival was over, was a learning experience as we exchanged stories, music and adventures. It was more than just the festival that Mr Vijay Nair had brought to us and NH 7 has opened our eyes to a different kind of mass gathering (the happy kind).
We too had revelers who could not handle their drinks or their vehicles and kept them safe in the confines of our camp site but their numbers were so miniscule that it was not worth mentioning as the positive vibes were far greater. I’m sure through this exposure all will soon learn how to conduct themselves with decorum at huge festivals, like we did when we visited festivals in other states. The bigger picture of is what’s important and I really wouldn’t care about the past history of a musician crashing into a police vehicle. The music here and now is more important.
To Vijay Nair, I would hope that he is not disheartened by a few negative comments aimed at him and the festival, after all the efforts he has put in. When a man strives to achieve great things, he is often criticized and pulled down by a few. Only the negative parts are remembered and the positive outcome is swept under the rug. This is the nature of men. We hope Nair brings back NH 7, bigger, better and louder. I’m sure we all will learn from a few mistakes and rectify them next time. They were minor details but I’m sure we can all work together (crowds/ revelers, cops, organizers and the government) for a better Meghalaya. A special ‘thank you’ goes out to Meghalaya Police for their efforts in managing huge crowds and traffic in and around the venue and at the camp sites and I’m sure we can forgive our bureaucrats and politicians, as asking for freebies is our’ Indianness’.
Yours etc.,
Ashley Erasmus Lyngdoh
Green Route
Member, Confederation of Tourism Industry Meghalaya.
Patricia Mukhim replies: All stakeholders in ‘tourism’ will obviously defend this mega event. So the response is expected. And I have no problems with Megadeth’s past. It was just an insight into the man who is now a reformed Christian. But are you sure there was just a miniscule number that could not hold their drinks? Were you able to count their numbers? This is precisely the point to be debated. What sort of tourism is Meghalaya promoting? Is it going to be a free-for-all zone where criticism is no longer tolerated? There are too many vested interests labeling critics as negative and almost compelling everyone to be positive and “happy.” Happy about what?
Extension for how long?
Editor,
It seems there is no limit to the tenure of the post of Secretary, Meghalaya State Electricity Commission(MSERC). The person presently holding this post, J.B.Poon, retired from MeSEB as Chief Engineer in 2008. He was appointed to this post on 1st November 2009 as shown in the website. By now he must have crossed 66 years of age. The tenure of the Chairman, MSERC is up to 65 yrs of age. However, it seems that there is no age limit to the post of Secretary. How is this possible? This person was also given extension during his time in MeSEB, but due to pressure applied by the various associations, his service was terminated. Further, he also runs the Institution of Engineers (India) like his fiefdom. Though apparently there is election, the contestants and the subsequent result is nothing but a farce. He prepares the agenda and conducts the meetings to comply with the formalities without even being an elected member. No one has ever prepared and conducted the meeting without his knowledge. He invites or informs regarding any meeting or election only to a few selected ones. You will never see that there is any information in the newspaper regarding the various activities including invitation to meetings or conduct of election. Even the treasurers are asked to sign on blank cheques. Nobody knows the transactions. He maintains all the records and others are asked to put their signatures without going into the details. Even this information is never released in detail to the body. Wonder why no one dares to challenge him. His actions need to be investigated.
Yours etc,
Synrop Lang Dkhar,
Shillong 1