Editor,
Traffic in the city has become a menace. Looks like its also án accepted way of life. I fear that sooner than letters we may reach a point where driving or using vehicles to reach ones destination on time may be next to impossible. Many suggestions from several quarters ‘have poured in like the widening of roads, constructions of flyovers, etc. to help ease congestion.
The question that comes to mind is, whynot make efforts to make use of the roads that are already in existence. I am in absolute agreement with the news item that appeared in your daily dated 11th August 2017 on the need to re-open roads that are within the jurisdiction of the army like the road inside the military area adjacent to Lady Keane College which leads all the way to Keating Road and Police Bazar. This particular road was used by vehicles in the 70s and 80s though now it is totally closed, restricting even the pedestrians.
One is certain that even if the road is closed now, something can be done if our government is willing to discuss and come to an understanding with the army authorities (of course within stipulated timings) and provided the government is serious enough about easing traffic congestion at least in areas where it is possible. The road can be used by smaller vehicles heading towards Police Bazar. This will surely ease traffic considerably as a large chunk of vehicles can use this road thereby easing traffic along Civil Hospital, IGP Point, Barik, etc. Another road that could help reduce traffic is the one from Lawsohtun Block – I to 2nd and 3rd Mile via military area that will ease traffic from Rhino Point to Upper Shillong. This would again entail talks with Lawsohtun Dorbar Shnong as well as the military authorities regarding the feasibility of the project.
One is hopeful that as the army authority had opened their gates and had been part and parcel of a plan to make way for a Parking Lot at Khlieh Iewduh, they will similarly agree to cooperate and allow civilians to use those roads that have been blocked by the army for their use only. However, it all depends on the seriousness, dedication, commitment and practical efforts of our government.
Along the same lines and even though I am no expert in the realm of town planning but as a lay person, I cannot understand why we don’t explore avenues for constructing bypasses, for instance from Ri Bhoi district to any place like NEHU, Mawlai in East Khasi Hills district. This would make traffic in the city a pleasure ride. For these kinds of projects there is no one better than qualified Town Planners and of course the seriousness of the Government. If Government is serious nothing is impossible.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar
via email
Rape is a heinous crime
Editor,
Rape is a great sin and an assault on a woman’s honour and dignity and her physical being. The scars of such a traumatic experience are deep and will linger with her all her life. There also have been a large number of cases where the victims of such heinous crime are our innocent children. Why do men look at women with such evil intent and lustful desire? Meanwhile, the delivery of justice itself in these matters is grossly imbalanced as was seen in the case of Small Phawa of Jowai who received a 10 year rigorous imprisonment. What about the case of Julius Dorphang and others who used Marvellene’s Inn for their sexual escapades and raped a minor girl? When will justice be delivered in this case? It would seem as though all rational and humane thinking has escaped our society. However, I would like to add that there are still ways for us to heal and for the perpetrators to reform and be rehabilitated if they are repentant.
Yours etc.,
Omarka Laloo Mynthong
Jowai
R.M.S.A. teachers without salaries
Editor,
The RMSA Teachers of South Garo Hills have not received their salaries of April, May and June till today Aug 12, 2017, whereas all the teachers from other districts have been paid their dues. Why should only the teachers of South Garo Hills have to suffer when the sanctioned order has been sent to all the districts on the same date and time from the Director’s Office. Hence we request the concerned authorities in the Education Department to kindly to look into the matter and to sanction our salaries as early as possible. We also request the authorities to empathise with our hardships that underpaid teachers face if they are to go without salaries for months together. Each time we approach the DSEO office we are told that we will be getting our salaries very soon but that never happens. Then on August 10, last we were told that we would have to renew our service by signing the agreement one more time and we would also have to submit our personal account numbers yet again and only after that they would be able to release our salaries. We were told that was the order from the Director’s Office. We have since completed all these formalities. Ironically when we asked our colleagues from the other districts if they went through the same process we were told that they have been receiving their salaries without being asked to go through the process we had to. This is indeed shocking but we will continue our fight.
Yours etc.,
Dripwell K Marak
RMSA Teachers’Assn,
South Garo Hills