Editor,
The tiny eastern Indian state of Sikkim has made the whole of South Asia proud for being the 2018 recipient of the globally acclaimed and highly prestigious FAO-Future Policy Gold Award for her monumental contribution in becoming a 100% organic state. My heartiest congratulations to both the State Government of Sikkim and Honourable CM Mr Pawan Chamling for the sincerity, dedication, hard effort, support, encouragement and outstanding leadership in making Sikkim a historic Organic State on the global agricultural map. The resilient people of a small Himalayan state have demonstrated to the entire planet that through consistent effort, honesty and strong political will no big socio-economic or socio-cultural transformation is impossible to achieve. No matter how hard the existing obstacles are. Sikkim has demonstrated that if we are determined we can live our life through environment friendly practices. It is not just the effort of a single individual but the whole community standing and working together in building their lives. Therefore, in short this outstanding achievement of transforming into a complete organic agriculture state permanently places Sikkim on a global map of inspirational sustainable living. The farmers deserve special mention as they have successfully changed their entire attitude and philosophy of agricultural work through this and believe me this has not been an easy task. Within three decades Sikkim achieved something that even highly pro-environment western nations with billions of dollars worth of investment have not been able to achieve. Today Sikkim serves as an inspirational model not just for South Asia but the entire planet and particularly for the developing and under developed economies of Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Yours etc.,
Saikat Basu,
Via email
Lok Sabha election 2019
Editor,
I find it amusing that the political parties that are part of the MDA coalition are unable to put up a common candidate for the Lok Sabha polls, 2019 both in Shillong and Tura. A divided house cannot stand against the might of a united Congress. Why don’t political parties get this basic fact right? The BJP, above all should have aligned with the NPP who at the moment have the largest number of MLAs. But the need to prove their strength blurs their intellect and makes them take wrong decisions. The UDP is buoyed by the win at Ranikor. The coming together of the UDP and HSPDP could make it possible for the regional part combine to win the Shillong seat. But that is a 50:50 chance. Electoral politics is a slippery slope. And much will depend on the candidate that the regional party puts up. Will it be Paul Lyngdoh or Jemino Mawthoh? That is provided the HSPDP does not decide to put up their leader Ardent Basaiawmoit as the candidate. With the regional parties it is difficult to predict anything.
As far as Congress is concerned the candidate is already known. There is no reason why the sitting Vincent Pala should not be given a ticket so Pala could begin to campaign from now on, which he is doing. If the NPP also sets up a candidate for Shillong then the Congress win is predicted. What is the MDA thinking? Do they really want to keep the Congress at bay by setting up separate candidates? This not only confuses the voters but it also shows that the MDA coalition is not based on mutual trust and understanding but on the flimsy need of politicians to be in power.
Yours etc.,
KL Mawroh,
Via email
