Editor,
This is in response of Amanda Basaiawmoit’s letter, “Where There’s Smoke There’s Fire” (ST March 28, 2017). The driver of the oil tanker should be recognized and awarded for his courage and presence of mind. I cannot imagine how he dared to get back inside the vehicle to move it to a distance and also climbed onto the tanker to open the lids to prevent an explosion. His actions prevented a major catastrophe. He deserves a bravery award from the Chief Minister of Meghalaya and the Prime Minister of India.
Yours etc.,
Ajita Sinha Lyngdoh,
Shillong -11
SPTS buses – a concern!
Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I would appraise the concerned authority that in some routes there is unregulated service of SPTS buses resulting in competition between buses to fetch more and more passengers by ignoring safety norms. Apart from this many a times they also charge double rate stating unavailability of change. For example where the rate
is Rs 5 they charge Rs10. In this connection, I request the concerned authority to kindly ensure services at regular intervals, cover all localities, display rate charts in the SPTS buses and most importantly ensure the safety of commuters.
Yours etc,
Krishnendu Deb,
Via em
Starvation amidst plenty!
Editor,
Unemployment is the main reason for India’s colossal food wastage. According to Global Hunger Index 2016, 15 per cent of India’s population are undernourished from lack of food and 194.6 million people go hungry everyday in India. Now comes the irony. Another recent report says that the value of food lost in India is nearly two-thirds of what
it costs the government to feed 600 million poor Indians. Why do our brothers and sisters starve in the midst of food wastage? The answer is simple. Many Indians are too poor to buy even minimum food. So, employment should be
generated to create a bridge between excess food and hungry mouths. It will be like putting the cart beforethe horse if we just superficially target individuals to stop food wastage.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata
Much awaited decision!
Editor,
The decision to do away with red beacons which in other words means a blow to VIPism, comes as a great relief to the ordinary citizens who are hounded by these vehicles which carry public servants around even as the masters (the people) must make way for them. In fact, the VIP culture is counter-intuitive in a democracy where those elected actually derive their powers from the people. It is a different matter that after the elections, the very people who voted these MLAs/MDCs are treated with utmost disdain. However, politicians are not the only ones flaunting their powers on their vehicles. Bureaucrats too spare no pains to announce their arrival by using their sirens and red beacons. So too the executive members of the District Councils! Worse is that the sirens and red beacons are (mis) used even during private travels not connected with official work. It has become a brazen show of power and often by those who have suddenly risen to positions of prominence from nothing, Also the extension of security cover to some politicians and their family members such as Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of Sonia Gandhi is obnoxious. On what grounds does Vadra merit so many bodyguards who follow him even when he goes inside a gymnasium, thereby making a nuisance of himself?
We hope this directive from the Centre will be implemented in letter and spirit in Meghalaya. We fail to see how a chief minister who is the chief public servant should use an entourage that includes so many police vehicles and police personnel all at the cost of the public exchequer! So too the minister of lesser importance! And least of all the MDCs! Down with the VIP culture!
Yours etc.,
B S Lyngdoh,
Shillong – 11
Beginning to end VVIP culture
Editor,
Things in the Indian political system will change for the better if the opposition comes forward to appreciate the good work of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in abolishing red beacons from car tops. But it is only a smart beginning. More needs to be done. Even sirens and special horns should also be totally disallowed from all vehicles except emergency vehicles like ambulances. The system of pilot-cars and follow-up cars should also be removed except for those enjoying high security. Also painting party-names and use of party-flags on private vehicles should be strictly banned. Such unhealthy practice creates fear amongst police-persons and other government-staff compelling them to act as per the diktat of ruling-party workers.
Security-cover should be stripped to the minimum possible. There is absolutely no use in continuing security-cover at huge public-cost for former Chief Ministers like Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati. Life of ordinary citizens must not be less important than a VVIP. Special monarchy-type protocol to VVIPs on airports should also be done away.
Yours etc.,
Madhu Agrawal
Delhi – 6