Editor,
It is said, “When development threatens the survival of people, it is no development at all.” We have seen these days that there is so much of construction projects in New Shillong and in adjacent villages like Mawkasiang, Mawdiang-diang etc. Many big structures and institutions are mushrooming in these areas. Definitely it is a welcome sign of development. However, there are vital issues connected with development. The question is: What development, how it is done, for whom it is done and at what cost? Right now there is a big institute coming up in Mawkasiang village. I am not very sure what it is, but people tell me that is some sort of Institute of Music and Culture of the Government of Meghalaya. There has been a large excavation of earth from the area to prepare for the construction. But unfortunately, the soil has been irresponsibly let down into the river. The large amount of mud dumped into the valley has seriously threatened the life of the river. Wah Shala which used to be a big and vibrant river in these areas, is under threat. This river is a water source for people of the village and it also provides them a place for washing clothes etc. The villagers informed me that it is becoming unfit for any use due to the invasion of mud from the construction. Rivers and other water bodies are the lifelines of any human habitation and they should be preserved at all cost. Whoever is responsible for this terrible damage to the environment and a consequent threat to human life, should be confronted.
I equally blame the village authorities for their lack of vision. Before the construction started they should have made proper agreement with the Government not to endanger the river or its surroundings. This is where our village leaders fail to act as responsible persons to ensure the safety of the future generations. Posterity will curse them for their lack of vision and common good. It is not yet too late to settle the issue and I hope the village authorities will take up this issue with the concerned people and act immediately. We have already seen the degeneration of Wah Umbah since the establishment of NEIGRIHMS and other institutions adjacent to it. We do not want to see another river suffer the same fate. A river is more precious to the people than ten great institutions. Buildings we can always build and rebuild but a river once destroyed is lost forever.
Yours etc.,
Barnes Mawrie sdb,
Via email
Open rebellion by UDP MDCs
Editor,
Apropos to the front page news item “UDP MDCs want party to review KHADC decision” (ST, April 24,2017), I have been following the political news items carried by ST about UDP and its relations with the PDF Ministry in Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council led by PN Syiem. The current political developments in the UDP are quite interesting and more will follow in the days, weeks and months to come. Let us watch the drama that is going to unfold.
Now on the question of whether or not to withdraw support to the PDF Executive Committee (EC)of KHADC, it is solely the prerogative of the UDP not the prerogative of the UDP District Council parliamentary party (UDP DCPP), because the UDP is the parent body. However, the decision to withdraw from PDF coalition was already taken by the UDP Central Executive Committee (CEC) in presence of the MDCs of UDP and it was a majority decision, although some MDCs did express reservations. The reservation is manifested in the full blown rebellion by not withdrawing support to the EC despite the decision taken by the CEC. The reason why they defied the decision is obvious to the public. How can they leave the beehive of the PDF when it is still full of honey? Or how can they leave Egypt for Canaan walking through the desert as there is still too much water, food and meat treat in Egypt? They are ready to leave UDP rather than leave the ultimate objective of being in politics and some of them, with an eye to the state Assembly General Elections slated for 2018. But who among them will make it to the state Assembly is a million dollar question.
The fact is that with the support of MDCs of UDP, HSPDP, KHNAM and Independents, P.N Syiem has received a lot of political oxygen and a morale booster to the newly formed political party, the PDF. Hence the morale, strength and popularity of these parties are weakened drastically (some of the flags of these parties may be folded up after the general elections to the state Assembly). If the newly formed PDF is strengthened and boosted, as it is today, it will mean a heavy attrition to the UDP, HSPDP and KHNAM, not only because many of them may leave their respective parties and join PDF but also the regional vote bank of these state parties will be splintered and the main beneficiary will be PN Syiem.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marwein,
Via email
Poor deal for armed forces
Editor,
This refers to your article “Don’t shoot the messenger” (ST- April 22, 2017). This refers to a BSF constable Tej Bahadur who had posted a video about the “poor quality” of food served to jawans and charges of “making false allegations, posting photographs on social media and for carrying two mobile phones. There is no doubt that Tej Bahadur may have acted with malafide intention or there may be some other reasons that troubled him, and he used food quality as a stick to beat his opponent. But the fact is that deficiencies in ration supply chain practices and procurements have been brought to light in the past too. In the case of fresh vegetables and fruits, 74% of the items issued to units by supply depots were not in accordance with the prescribed norms. It’s a tragic, grim reality of what soldiers at the border are facing — inadequate food. The videos showing has exposed the dismal state of affairs in the Armed forces and the hardships our soldiers face everyday due to the “corrupt practices” of their own officers. The video also reveals the that fact that our jawans are not just exposed to the security threat from across the border and the elements, but are also subjected to humiliation and insult when it comes to their daily meals which are both substandard and insufficient. Can one imagine what must be going through the minds of jawans while being served such a distasteful meal. It is sad to note that while we have money to spend on new arms and equipment but there is no mechanism to ensure that our men at the border, our first line of defence, at least get a good meal at the end of the day for their efforts.
Yours etc.,
Vinod C. Dixit
Ahmedabad- 15
Reduce marriage expenses
Editor,
This refers to Aristotle Lyngdoh’s article, “Can India become a superpower?” (ST, April 25, 2017). Instead of asking the question ~ “Can India become a superpower?” ~ we should ask ~ Can India become the happiest country of the world like Norway? That is what we should strive for. Norway has become the happiest country of the world in terms of World Happiness Index, 2017 by giving top priority to human development and is number one in Human Development Index. Norway shows the way that to make people happy; development should entirely be human centric.
Unfortunately, we try to outscore others or keep up with the Joneses by spending a bomb in a marriage party of our children after curtailing expenditure in health and education. This is as unproductive as it gets. And there is a link between our aspiration for becoming a superpower instead of becoming the happiest country and curb our extravagant marriage party expenses.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata