Editor,
Much has been written and discussed about some people in Meghalaya who are afraid of Aadhar turning into the satanic number 666. But the real 666 is the coming cashless and digital society as propounded by the Prime Minister. Let me make very clear here that till date there is no country in the world which is totally cashless. It is a utopian dream or the wishful thinking of of a conman surrounded by a sea of gullible yes-men or worshippers. Much more than the RSS ideology, this idea is more fascist and an attempt towards total control. USA with the biggest economy in the world still has 15 percent cash economy. UK which once ruled India has 48 percent cash economy. And you preach to me that India will surpass them? Tell it to the cows! Remember that if this goal is achieved, it means that if your son goes to buy liquor to enjoy with his friends, he cannot hide it anymore. His digital imprints of payment will be recorded by the Big brother or father (in Delhi) and will be used against him one day. Obliteration of personal freedom and liberty, Is this the sine qua non of Democracy?
Yours etc.,
Rasputin Bismarck
Kolkata
No Christmas for the marginalized
Editor,
Come Christmas and the sellers have their field day selling their wares at five times the market price. The rich and the mighty go on a buying spree, purchase the best and the costliest wear, food and drink while the poor and the marginalised have to be contented with half-fed malnourished food. There is no money to buy blankets to protect against the chilly winter and no special food and clothing to celebrate Christmas with the family. It seems the Meghalaya world cares a damn for the poor and marginalised lot. We used to notice that during Christmas season, especially on Christmas day and on Christmas festivities, many are in the best and costliest attires and swanky cars but no one really cares for the poor and the abandoned.
But in the midst of this selfish world I heard somebody somewhere is turning to this most neglected section of the society through works of charity and mercy. But these noble souls are very few and far between. I hereby appeal to the rich, the mighty and the fat cats of society to sacrifice just a little bit of their income and pleasure and give it to the poor for the sake of your spiritual contentment and to honour infant Jesus who is the centre of Christmas and who was born poor in this world in a stable rejected by the residents of Bethlehem village.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marweiñ,
Shillong-2.
Child abuse a scourge
Editor,
This refers to your write-up, “Protecting Innocence” (ST- Dec 18, 2016). It is unthinkable, but every year thousands of children become victims of crime – whether it’s kidnappings, violent attacks, or sexual abuse. According to the study, the reasons for the high incidence of child abuse could be poor parenting skills, vulnerability of the child in conditions outside the family environment – on the street, at work and in institutions – belief in the adage “spare the rod and spoil the child” and dysfunctional families. Unfortunately in India, there is no separate, exclusive legislation to deal with the problem of child sexual abuse. Child abuse has been going on for years all over the developing countries and in developed countries as well. The child often has no true realization of being abused and the implications, until they gain mental maturity. Perhaps, lack of awareness and open communication within the family, fear of being stigmatized and not being trusted, dissuades young victims from speaking up. By creating awareness among parents in order to monitor changes in their child’s behaviour is one of the methods to alleviate this problem. But if the system is reformed, we can ensure that such crimes against children and women are minimised.
Yours etc.,
Vinod C. Dixit,
Ahmedabad – 15