Editor,
On December 2013 the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India prepared a guideline for use of red beacons in VIP cars and finally after three years on Wednesday April 18th 2017 Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his cabinet ministers took a final decision to end the VIP and VVIP Culture in India and it will be effected from 1st May 2017. This decision will be applicable for all VIP’s and even for the Prime Minister, Chief Justice of Supreme Court and President of India. The decision made by the Modi Cabinet was widely supported by the people of India.
The use of red beacons in VIP cars will end on 1st May 2017; only emergency vehicles like Police, Fire Brigade and Ambulance will be exempted from it. Many VIPs who were flying in the air before will come down to earth now and will be able to feel and understand the difficulties and problems of people. Unfortunately the VIP’s of some states have not supported this decision. They will continue to carry the red lights in their car as they are habituated to doing so and will ignore the Central Government’s notification. Their reply is that state governments have the eight to decide whether to abide by the central directive. But in other parts of India many VIPs and Ministers had happily removed the red light from their car an hour after the end of VIP culture decision announced before the media which said that it will end the difference between the VIP’s and the public and it will made all equal. Also this will usher in a healthy democracy and create a revolution to make a new India Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat
Yours etc;
Sandeep Ghosh,
Shillong-4
Alcoholism derails countless households
Editor,
When highway drivers drink it could lead to serious accidents. But, if the head of a household drinks the whole family could be derailed. Usually, this happens when one drinks a few “extra pegs”. These extra pegs, which are irresistible to many, might gradually bind both feet and mind. That means, the person can’t walk steadily further on the road to progress, and he is more likely to become a slave to the drink. Obsessed with the thought of the drink might result in that state of mind that the boozer’s wheels of creativity and innovation go downhill.
True, the root causes of highway fatalities have finally been identified, though after too long. And, the situation has finally forced the Hon’ble Supreme Court to order for the ban on liquor sale near the roadside. Indeed, this is a much awaited welcome move.
But who will notice the derailment of lakhs and lakhs of families due to “excessive” drinking by their breadwinners? In the society, we have noticed innumerable households shattered due to alcoholic fathers/husbands. Whether one agrees or not, the consumption of alcohol is directly proportional to its availability. Now, with the relaxation of the “distance” in the urban areas, the wine stores, which were shut until a few weeks ago, have again reopened. People are seen thronging the local liquor shops; now they need not walk too far to fetch their bottles of liquor. No wonder, if one who is thoughtfully heading towards a temple or church or masjid to offer their prayers they might get tempted to walk into the restaurant/wine shops located within a few meters. Please note, the temptation never takes refuge in penance. Is it not disgusting that the government itself is contributing towards increasing the temptation of the public to have more booze, more easily so the society will fast totter into the pit of decadence?
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali
Shillong-2
Forest Dept the giant slayer
Editor,
I am a regular morning walker and jogger to Wards Lake. I enjoy the morning fresh air every time I enter the Lake but on a particular day, this month, after walking about a hundred meters, I was saddened to see two giant pine trees (Pinus Kesiya) lying on the ground. At first I thought the culprit was the stormy weather but a closer look revealed that they were evidently felled by the wicked axe of the Forest Department. In fact these trees were producing new pine needles.
Last year during the same season, a majestic giant Silver Oak was also felled by the wicked axe of the same Department. At that time this magnificent Oak tree was very much healthy; its leaves were lively green and mind you it was flowering. According to me these trees do not pose any danger to the visitors at Ward’s Lake. In fact they provide more oxygen and fresh air to everyone including birds. Last year one giant was felled; this year two, who knows how many more giants will go in the coming years, till the entire surroundings of this beautiful lake becomes barren! And there is no sign of new saplings being planted. This is a dangerous trend on the part of the Department.
The Forest Department must give reasons and justifications to environmentalists, nature lovers and to the National Green Tribunal as to why and on whose judgment these giants were executed? I know so does everybody else that the Department will invent many reasons to fool the people with its lame technical reasons, scientific and botanical explanations and so on. But this cannot be accepted without adequate evidence. There is something fishy here and it could be some among the top ranks who is interested in the timber of these giant trees for personal use. If such things can happen in the heart of Shillong, I doubt very much about the fate of these precious trees in the Reserved Forests situated in the far flung interiors of the State. It’s high time that the public raise their voice against this destructive attitude of this Department.
Yours etc.,
N. Hynniewta
Shillong – 1