Editor,
Apropos Jerome K. Diengdoh’s letter, “Can’t see why Paul can’t win,” (ST Feb 16, 2018) I have this to comment. In my interaction with people and leaders in different fields of activity, I have met with individuals with oratory skills whose speeches have substance and who can convert them into action. Then there are those with oratory prowess who can keep the crowd spellbound for one or two hours even while they clap, cheer and laugh but at the end of the day you realize that it had no substance.
And then there are those who have no oratory skills but who can work and deliver and are consistent in their pursuit. Two famous former Prime Ministers of England , Gladstone and Disraeli are two examples of oratory skills and administrative/managerial competence and both were also statesmen. Therefore to judge a person just by his oratory skills or lack of it as a yardstick to measure who can deliver what the people and the state needs is not correct.
But let me take this opportunity to reach out to the voters through this column. In this election everybody is talking about corruption but I do not hear nor read of any party talking about or giving any assurance about implementing the Meghalaya Lokayukta Act 2014, to address this issue of corruption. This is the right time for the voters to take this up with all the candidates and political parties and find out who is really concerned and serious about fighting corruption.
In the letter Mr Diengdoh had mentioned. “As an officer in one of the State Government Departments,” implies that he is still in service. I don’t know how the State Election Commission will view his letter or if it might not matter after all.
Having said all this, may the best person win!
Yours etc.,
Michael N Syiem,
Via email
Will they be too busy to listen?
Editor,
I am reminded of a story being told of a politician, who once being elected made himself completely inaccessible to the public. There was once a woman who went to the politician’s office to seek out his help to address her grievances. However, the politician responded by saying that now since he has taken up the cause of the constituency, he can no longer make time for individuals, to which the woman replied that she is still glad that God has not reached that level yet. This morning Mr W.H.D Syngkon the Congress candidate from Shillong North constituency visited my house. I politely opened the door and asked him and his followers to sit down, but before I could ask him any question he stood up and just requested me to vote for him and keep him in my prayers. The only conclusion that I could draw from his visit, was either that, he was not at all interested in my vote or simply too important to listen to the views and concerns of an ordinary voter. However, this constituency presents us with a very big challenge of electing a representative since we are left with a choice between three well qualified candidates, if educational qualification were the only yardstick to measure their competence and ability, and two very kind individuals if morality and character can also be considered as a yardstick to measure their leadership capabilities. Between the five candidates there are four characteristics that can be immediately observed. The first one seems to have the characteristics of a wolf, the second of a fox, the third of a lamb and the fourth and fifth of a lion. There does not seem to be any candidate who possesses both the characteristics of a lion and a lamb within themselves. Personally an ideal candidate would have been someone who has enough courage to rule well like a lion where their core beliefs and values would have been all about protecting and serving their constituency, with the humility and meekness of a lamb where they intentionally and willingly choose to sacrifice every personal gain and benefits for the sake of the people they are going to represent. The point is that it is hard to find people who possess both competence and character , but I guess we will have to make our choices based on the context of where we are right now.
Yours etc.,
Pyndapbha Warjri
Shillong-2
What are Elections for?
Editor,
Come February 27, the state of Meghalaya will go to the polls. Elections are the essence of democracy otherwise we would be living in a chaotic and primitive stage. This time many parties and new candidates are in the fray. They all have their manifestos, ostensibly to better our lives, but these are not implemented when they attain power. Looking back at the last five years, we are yet to see overall development of the state. The rural populace are the worst sufferers. There are no motorable roads, no proper sanitation, no primary healthcare centers and no proper schools buildings. This has resulted in a pathetic state of life for the villagers.
Politicians and political parties make promises during elections, which pale into insignificance when they are elected. The BJP have assured the electorate that there will be no ban on cow slaughter or caste or religions discrimination. There is too much infighting in the ruling dispensation to devote to governance. The only option left are the regional parties but will they ever deliver the goods? We are yet to see.
Therefore I beseech you to give a clarion call to the younger generation through your newspaper to come out in large numbers and to follow their conscience; not to vote for the candidate or any party which cannot fulfill the aspirations of the people. Elections are meant to bring governments that can in turn bring progress and prosperity of the people and not for the candidate or party.
Yours etc.,
Michael N. Lyngdoh
Shillong-14