Editor,
Apropos the editorial, “BJP prospects in Meghalaya” (ST Jan 17, 2016), I am of the same opinion.
It is more than an accepted fact that politicians in general or at least the majority of them are a corrupt lot and this is a strong opinion of the hoi polloi. This notion may be true of the business class, to a lesser extent. We can still find some honest businesspersons around, but a more dangerous and damaging situation for the masses is the contribution of these two classes, as they make politics their business and not give a damn about anything or anybody else, carpeting the streets with their self respect for the people to trample upon, with no worry and care.
Rumours have it that one year back the earlier BJP guard was surreptitiously removed to be replaced by this new politico-business group for a similar kind of consideration that took place between this group and a BJP strongman from Delhi. It is also being whispered among the masses, that MLA from opposing parties or independents who wanted to join BJP had to retract because they were asked to cough a very high entry fee by those at the helm of BJP affairs in the State. It is also seen that sincere and dedicated people are sidelined after the present leadership took over.
I wonder as to whether the intelligence report of the party ever reach the PMO or the office of the National President from the state or the reports are filtered and doctored through the high rungs as they move up the ladder and a rosy picture is being presented to the PMO/ National President. I am not a member of any political ideology nor do I plan to join any political party but I share the concerns in the editorial that ‘into this bleak political scenario in Meghalaya there is need for an alternative political party with the vision to make Meghalaya a progressive state and which can spell out that vision unambiguously.’ And the expectation is high from the BJP because of its dynamic and visionary leader Modiji. But in Meghalaya the leaders not only lacks vision but they also happen to make politics their business. With very little time now left for general elections the Party must effect a leadership change in Meghalaya.
Yours etc.,
Sandor Dkhar
Jongksha
East Khasi Hills
A new world order
Editor,
The world needs change and Donald Trump might just be the right change coming at the right time. Personally, I see Trump’s practical intelligence, conviction, open-mindedness, aggressiveness and determination as a panacea for global growth and security and a new opportunity for India. If Mr Donald Trump is a devil then, at least to me, he is that devil who unconsciously crawls out of his crevice at God’s command. Because when God commands even the devil obeys! Mr Donald Trump is known for his political and ideological extremism but his open-mindedness and his keen interest on the larger issues of growth and security could set him apart. His xenophobic attitude might be worrisome but I see it as the commonsense of a brave leader to protect the interests of his nation. This is good leadership especially when his national interest could perceptibly have a positive effect globally. For example Mr Trump’s plan for building a more than 1000 miles long ‘Great Mexican wall’ along the US-Mexican border, apart from fuelling the economy of USA, could also be part of the solution to the menace of Mexican drug cartels, in USA (as the wall could check immigration and bring down the rate of drug trafficking), in Mexico itself (by preventing hunted drug lords from escaping to USA), and the entire Western countries (as it could potentially arrest the growth of drug economy). His agenda of controlling immigration and checking the issuance of H1-B visa is pinning hopes on the services led growth of a developing economy like India, but we cannot ignore the positive effects like a potential check on brain-drain also in a country like India. The remittance India got as a result of brain drain to USA pales in comparison to the loss India suffers by losing vast amount of talent pools which could potentially drive our economy up.
Further, given his sharp business acumen, Mr Donald Trump would know exactly where to invest and which market to tap. I doubt he will neglect security challenges and the question of being exploited when it comes to the question of the US economic ties with other countries. This means a developing country like India with its massive market should have much to gain especially given that China has never been in good terms with US. Also speaking of security challenges, his aggressive attitude towards the Jihadist and his perception of Pakistan as a threat to global security could help much in the global endeavor to increase world security. And certainly this could have a positive implication for India’s security regime.
Superimpose to these the merits of Mr Donald Trump’s elevation to White House is a perceptible change to Indo-US relation dynamics that many factors are likely to contribute to. For instance, Trump’s unfavourable view of women will be a setback for India which is starting to raise concern on gender inequality. Also his aggressive trade policy could put pressure on India and other countries as well to conform to the Intellectual property Right (IPR) issues that favour US companies. And not to forget his critical nature of the Arab world and threat to scrap the Iran nuclear deal which could be quite harmful to our energy interests. It is indeed hard to say on whether the bonhomie witnessed between Barrack Obama and Indian PMs will sustain or not.
But despite a mixed effect that Trump presidency could have, a good number of experts in India believe that with proper safeguarding of its policies and priorities and a smart diplomacy, India would certainly benefit much. Also given a frightening political development and situation in USA, in and through the last presidency election, “chaos” is quite a possibility round the world as Barkos Warjri concluded in his enlightening article “at the crossroads-but can we choose the turn?” (ST, Jan-17, 2017). Tectonic changes are certain to occur globally as it has been said that a butterfly that flaps its wings in Brazil can set off a storm in Arabian sea (Chaos Theory of Mathematics), which I believe is truer when specifically the flapping occurs in the political sphere of USA. Thus global leaderships must be wary and must play wisely in tailoring the changes so as to prevent any turmoil. And in my opinion the world would do better to take Trump’s elevation to White House as a positive change instead of making an unnecessary fuss!
Yours etc.,
T Fightingstar L Mawlong
Shillong- 14
March on PM Narendra Modi!
Editor,
“CM trains demonetisation gun on Modi”, screams the headline on the front page of The Shillong Times issue of January 18, 2017! Only people who hold black money would denounce a Prime Minister who endeavours to root out corruption through demonetisation, because it cramps their style of cheating the exchequer and the innocent voters at elections through black money. The CM knows nothing about corruption which the Congress leaders today seem to support. He is only parroting his party’s policy on corruption
The PM, Narendra Modi, today, stands out as a champion of clean politics. The demonetisation policy is the tool which no Indian government had ever taken seriously as a way to fight corruption. The present PM, Narendra Modi has taken corruption head-on. We should support him and wish him success. So, more power to his elbows. The Congress led governments in the past, as well as now, have been dragging their feet in the matter of setting up the structure for implementing the provisions of the Lokayukta Act which was passed in 2014. Besides that, the sins of the present and past Congress led governments are too many to be mentioned here.
In a few words, Narendra Modi is on the right track to root out corruption in spite of the efforts of his party, the BJP, and the RSS to inject their divisive ideas into his mindset. So, once again, more power to his elbows. The common man is with him all the way to his goal!
Yours etc.,
Morning Star Sumer
Via email