Editor,
Reference here is made to Patricia Mukhim’s article “When will we get the roads we deserve?” (ST Feb 17, 2017). Ms Mukhim has apparently based her write-up on the scintillating ride she must have had on the new Shillong – Tura highway on her way to Nongstoin on February 16 last. Driving on such well constructed highways reminds one of the superb smooth roads that developed countries such as Korea and Japan enjoy. Meghalaya must start visualising the potentials such roads have to offer. This highway is bound to have a tremendous impact on the economy and development of the area, for both the Garo and Khasi residents along its path. As a matter of fact it’s already begun. The shabby black tin sheeted huts along the highway have started giving way to colourful designed structures. Perhaps from land compensation but the change has started. Given the anticipated smooth drive from Shillong to Tura; the picturesque landscape and provided security can be ensured, there is no reason why this highway cannot be the paradigm change for thousands of our people. Resorts, guesthouses, eateries, small markets for the local products (meat, fish, vegetables and fruit) can come up all along the way. The Govt can come up with a scheme with creative designs for rest houses, dhabas or parking facilities for both cars and heavy vehicles. With such communication infrastructure, quality educational institutions of international standard as well as state of the art health care facilities can be thought of. The potentials for tourism are tremendous and limitless provided we can visualise such a change.
If Meghalaya is to benefit from the Act East policy it must start looking Southwards. The development of roads, educational and health infrastructure is bound to attract tourism from across the border. We are not talking of tiffin carrying visitors but of that upper layer of Bangladeshi tourists, who would just love to spend their money in enjoying the tourism facilities that Meghalaya can offer. Perhaps that is why the shrewd and astute Dr Mukul is so keen in opening up the state through the development of communication. That’s why perhaps he wishes to give his Garo Hills and Ampati that edge over others. If that’s his objective, hats off to him for there is no other way of nursing a constituency than by providing it with the best infrastructure available. Simply doling out free money is idiotic and foolish. Once good sustainable infrastructure is in place, people will take off on their own. The Garos are fortunate to have such far sighted leaders
Continuing on the above line of thinking, one goes back to what Ms Mukhim had to say about our own Khasi Chief Ministers. What have they done? Nothing! Nothing except fill their own pockets or worse, loot the country side of all the wealth it has. During the Chief Ministership of one particular Khasi CM nine cement plants of 1000 TPD each within a 100 sq km area in Lum Shnong and Narpuh area were issued licences. The huge environmental damage is yet to be assessed and the logic behind this wilful and unnecessary destruction of our beautiful state yet to be justified. Narpuh that famous legendary wildlife SANCTUARY of the Jaintias is now under serious pollution threat from these plants. Hundreds of cave systems of the area wiped out for a few bags of cement! Rivers historically linked to the history and culture of the Pnars now dead and lifeless. The natural resources of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills sold for a song as if there is no tomorrow! The wealth of our children wiped out by this generation, plundered and looted by greedy powerful people you and I voted to power. Again it is such Khasi leaders who have encouraged rapists and murderers to become public representatives to the shame of us all. God, Oh God when will the Hynniewtrep people get the Leaders they deserve?
Yours etc.,
Toki Blah,
Via email
Scotland of beasts!
Editor,
I, for one, was following keenly the happenings in Shillong with the thought that Shillong would become better day-by-day. But each time I end up frustrated because nothing good is really coming our way. I am talking about Shillong being the Scotland of the East. Is this sort of tall talk? This year (2017) we started with a series of rape cases, sex trafficking cases, drug cases, murder cases you name it, we have it! Glad that some of the perpetrators of these crimes are arrested but to my utter displeasure these culprits are not rewarded with the punishment/s they deserve. In fact few are moving about scot-free like beasts. Hence I won’t be surprised if Shillong is soon going to be re-named as ‘Scotland of the Beast’ after losing its tagline, ‘Scotland of the East,’ if those in authority are only doing their job for money and not out of a sense of duty.
Yours etc.,
Michael Makri,
Via email
Human Sentience versus Artificial Intelligence
Editor
This is in response to the thoughtful article, “A date with Artificial Intelligence” by T. F. L. Mawlong, (ST, Feb 18, 2017). Part of the problem of western modernity is its celebration of human agency and a certain exteriorized mechanical thinking so useful in the sciences but so dangerously naive for human well-being and self-knowledge. AI might take over many of the more mechanical aspects of human work — but it simply cannot do the most essential aspect of human activity — namely contemplation. For in what St. Augustine called the great chain of being, it is humans alone who can contemplate, pray, meditate, and engage in self-knowing. Thus apart from the fact that no machine can ever be sentient, no machine can ever possess a “mind” equal to the human mind. If AI “takes over” this might re-class us rather than de-classing us.
Humanity today is in love with soulless things — at its own peril. AI is part of this materialism. Technology is the new God and we worship it at our own peril. All we are in love with is a tool. As is typical of this utilitarian age, we are in love with a means to an end, rather than the ends themselves. In fact, even technology could be divided into higher and lower. If the techne of prayer, meditation, etc. characterize the higher uses of technology then AI belongs to the lower — bringing in its train unbridled human egotism and the epidemic of therapy this implies.
Above all the current worship of AI and technology proves more than ever — the great need for serious spirituality.
Yours, etc.,
Deepa Majumdar,
Via email