Editor,
Readers will agree in to-to with Patricia Mukhim’s article highlighting the dangers of a weak and an uncharted tourism industry this state is seeing in these last few years. months. Her article, “Meghalaya Tourism Turns Freakish “(ST July 28, 2017) reflects the apathy of the state government, especially those at the helm of the tourism department. They are blind to the reality and dangers of over-hyping the state tourism when community infrastructure, traffic management, sanitation and other aspects connected to the hospitality sector are at breaking point. We hear people talking the ‘Sikkim Model’ whereas what we have here is absolutely ZERO. The Crowborough Hotel adjacent to the old Assembly building is a classic showpiece of how an inexperienced businessman with no knowledge of the hotel sector fails to complete it. Another white elephant in the making is the so-called Marriot Hotel standing tall without much news about its completion. So are the pathetic roads with holes big and small in and around the city. They speak volumes of the PWD department and its contractors. Is this how we love our visitors to travel around the city. Too many hawkers, overcrowding of tourists spots and lack of cohesive planning has made this state more like a fish market rather than a tourist destination. When places like Mawlynnong, Shnongpdeng, Sohra etc lose their sheen what will be left will only be crumbs. Before it is too late and things come to a virtual collapse the State Tourism Department and tourism strategists should start working out a strong but vibrant tourism policy and not a half-baked policy.
Yours etc…
Dominic S.Wankhar
Shillong
Criticism the soul of democracy
Editor,
Apropos the letter to the editor, “Stop interfering” by one J Lamare (ST, July 25, 2017), since the comments and criticisms were directed primarily at the leaders of the BJP, it is up to the Party leadership in Meghalaya or the central leaders/spokespersons to reply to them. However, as a citizen, I wish to state that freedom of expression by way of comments, criticisms or dissent expressed by individuals, groups, NGOs or political parties is guaranteed by the Constitution of India. When they (Nalin Kohli, Himanta Biswa Sarma or others) criticize the performance of the MUA Government in Meghalaya led by Dr. Mukul Sangma or they point out how he conducts himself as the CM of Meghalaya, they are well within their rights to do so. Their criticism is premised on the fact that governance in Meghalaya has faltered under the leadership of Dr Sangma.
Many issues raised publicly by the BJP leaders are correct but the people of Meghalaya have chosen to keep mum over these issue. People of Meghalaya know and see the ills that are going on under the governance of the Congress led MUA government but we all keep quiet. This has encouraged bad governance in the last ten years. If we, ourselves, dare not raise our voices against the ills that happen before our eyes then what right do we have to find fault with people who raise their voices against those ills? In fact, we should be thankful to them for doing the job that we should have done! It is this conspiracy of silence that allows every government that rules this state to do whatever they like because the people of Meghalaya are too docile and tolerant to protest against mal-governance
Conversely, anyone from Meghalaya can criticise the President of India, the Prime Minister, any central minister, any chief minister of any state in India if we see that they are not doing the right thing or if they misgovern. So whether Nalin Kohli or Himanta Sarma or anyone else criticizes the CM of Meghalaya for his commissions and omissions, they are well within their rights to do so. Why should we judge everything from the political angle alone or accuse them of playing politics or brand them as interfering in the affairs of another state? The affairs of our state should have been dealt by us, but we failed to do our part as vigilant citizens. That is the pity. We may belong to one party or the other but we cannot afford to keep quiet when we see that our party leaders or our party men or our government is doing wrong and wicked things.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marwein,
Via email