Editor,
I had earlier made some suggestions as regards traffic movement in Shillong particularly in Laitumkhrah area which has not been taken note of. As mentioned in the letter speed limit of vehicles may be restricted, particularly in Laitumkhrah area since there are educational institutions and hospitals located on both sides of the road.
Movement of heavy vehicles should not be allowed through narrow roads, although the road is one-way from Fire Brigade to Nongrim Hills junction towards Jingkieng between 7.00 am to 7.00 pm. This narrow road is used mainly as a shortcut by most pedestrians/small vehicles and sometimes even by heavy vehicles moving towards the same destination. It is an important issue because during working hours many students and office goers follow this route and also in the evening hours to reach their homes faster. If the heavy vehicles, particularly, are not restricted, it is likely that accidents may occur since heavy vehicles come from behind and the pedestrians have to take shelter against the nearby wall for their safety. Therefore, constructing speed breakers of low height at the start of Fire Brigade to Nongrim Hills – junction- to Jyngkieng- may perhaps be helpful in curbing the problem, at least to some extent.
Zebra Crossings seen earlier in some parts of Shillong have faded away, but this marking is helpful for pedestrians to know where exactly to cross the road, as seen in other cities. I think there used to be a Zebra Crossing between DC’s Office and Meghalaya High Court/GPO. There may be other routes also where it is necessary to have Zebra Crossings. Can the Traffic Branch kindly identify these routes?
Another important point to note is that Police Bazar, the heart of Shillong, does not have a Zebra Crossing. There are no systematic ways to cross the road which is choc-a-bloc with vehicles and pedestrians. Vehicles pass through the route at snail pace and during the gap, pedestrians take advantage to cross the road, although there is a traffic island in the centre of the road. This system of crossing the road has continued for many years. Why has not some system been evolved to for easier crossing?
As there is no scope for extension of road, construction of alternative roads and no infrastructure in sight, we need to improve the existing roads so that movement is not obstructed. If movement is slowed we will lag behind in every sphere and, ultimately we may miss the bus. Sincerity and promptness of traffic personnel is well appreciated desoite their limited resources, but there is still some scope of tackling the situation for easy flow of traffic in Shillong.
Yours etc.,
L Deb
Shillong-3
End all forms of slavery!
Editor,
December 2 is indeed the lifeblood of democracy. The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is celebrated every year on this very day. On being asked about the definition of democracy, Abraham Lincoln had said, “As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy.” This is the best explanation of why democracy can survive only after the abolition of slavery. It is an irony that India being the largest democracy of the world has the highest number of slaves. According to Global Slavery Index 2016 released by the Australia based human rights group, ‘Walk Free Foundation,’ India has the highest absolute numbers of people trapped in slavery with 18.35 million slaves. It was 14.3 million in the last report in 2014. Indeed, 2 million more people have been enslaved during the last two years.
Recently, the Supreme Court of India has rightly termed the denial of the principle of equal pay for equal work as “exploitative enslavement”. It is horrifying to see construction workers doing life-threatening jobs without having minimum safety protection and insurance coverage. Shop assistants in some malls are made to work more than eight hours a day. They are being forced to hand over their mobile phones during working hours. Being totally disconnected, they cannot be with their families in a sudden difficult situation. Sometimes, they are even denied a visit to the toilet.
When will they be allowed to enjoy the ‘Fundamental Right against Exploitation’ as enshrined in Article 23 of the Constitution of India? Unfortunately, there are some among us who give tacit support to slavery and child labour. They should remember what Lincoln had said, “Whenever I hear any one arguing for slavery I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally”.
We should all take the pledge of not visiting those houses and shops where the working class is getting inhuman and degrading treatment or where child labour is employed. After all, it is we who can change the world. The government must stop the juggernaut of slavery from trampling the democratic flowers of equality, liberty, fraternity and justice.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata
Women and HIV-AIDS
Editor,
1st December is observed World AIDS Day – an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV. AIDS is a common unity problem that demands a community response. An HIV infected person can live a healthy social life but he has the social obligation of not spreading the disease. I would like to point out that AIDS affects women not only as individuals who are HIV inflected but also in their multiple roles in society and the family, as health care providers, educators, wives, mothers and income providers. It is also clear that the impact of HIV-related diseases among women will, if no action is taken, inevitably worsen the situation everywhere, particularly in the poorer communities.
According to Government regulations on the prevention of infectious disease, a doctor who has discovered that his patient is carrying HIV is required to try to obtain information on who infected him and what other persons the patient might have infected. No doubt, the WHO has issued guidelines on medical procedures to be followed in handling HIV infected people but as women will have to take upon themselves a large proportion of caring for HIV-infected persons and people with AIDS, it is imperative that they are provided with information, skills, knowledge and resources in order for their roles as providers of care to be less taxing, more humane and more effective.
Time has now come when victims need to be provided with information about the emotional and physical process of HIV diseases or AIDS, the ways in which HIV is transmitted. Educational materials must also be printed to accommodate differences in language, culture and education. The family members should also show willingness to care for a person with AIDS. The Government should take care to provide counseling, health education, treatment of infected persons, organising reporting of cases and establishment of surveillance centres. The active support of citizens, voluntary organizations and society is critical.
Yours etc.,
Vinod C. Dixit
Via email