Editor,
There was an accident in Nongthymmai today during rush hour and it drove me nuts. The drivers instead of moving their vehicles to the side of the road had an argument in the middle of the road for over ten minutes and had the traffic police not arrived they would have continued arguing. If this had happened in a city like Delhi during peak hours the whole city would have come to a standstill. Every time there is an accident in Shillong people would gather around the scene watching the drama unfolding as if they are watching a Hindi soap opera. We have no concept of time and this laid back attitude of ours is what has been holding us back. But we’re too blind to see.
I remember when I was in college, I bunked a lot of classes to be in the boy’s common room to play table tennis. I was very proud of my table tennis playing skills back then and the admiration I got from my fellow students. Looking back I realized that the time I spent in that common room almost ruined my life. That’s why it is so important that parents teach their kids the value of time and the need to have a goal in life. Modern human civilization wouldn’t have come this far had all the great human minds in the past lingered and wasted their time on trivial things during the most important phase of their lives. Our people especially our boys and men need to drop their inherent laid back attitude and take their lives more seriously if we are to be taken seriously by the rest of the country. My niece who is studying Science in class XII in one of the top colleges in the city said that some of our boys are most interested in impressing girls rather than doing well in their studies, whereas, the rest of the boys are hell-bent on doing well in their studies and making their parents proud. Looking at the Indian Super League this year, there are only six to seven players from our State whereas players from Manipur and Mizoram dominate the League. And the question we must ask ourselves is why this is so when at the youth level we produced as much talent as these two foot-balling states.
Yours etc.,
Gary Marbaniang,
Via email
Criticism for its own sake is meaningless
Editor,
Recently the former Chief Minister of Meghalaya and present opposition leader, Dr Mukul Sangma has criticised the the MDA government for facilitating illegal coal mining and for promising to lift the ban on coal mining. This is not at all true and in fact it is a lie. Where is the proof? In fact, it was the BJP that promised the people of Meghalaya that if voted to power the Party would lift the ban on coal mining. But the party won just two seats, Pynthorumkhrah and Laban. How can the BJP lift the ban? Even if it wants to do so that is not within its power for that power rests with the apex court. Moreover, it was not the MDA government that promised to lift the ban on coal mining, it never did. So why did Dr. Mukul lie to the people? On facilitating illegal mining there is no proof from Dr Mukul Sangma. Why then this wild allegation? On the stand of MDA vis a vis the HNLC the MDA has made it clear to the outfit to come over ground and join the mainstream and that is very clear. There is no stand that is clearer than this. In fact the publicity secretary of HNLC, Sainkupar Nongtraw has made it clear to the MDA that the organisation would surrender if proper and official channels are opened up. We hope that the MDA government will respond positively. In fact the former Secretary of HNLC, Cheristarfield Thangkhiew, had already made clear to the former Home Minister, Roshan Warjri to send proper feelers to facilitate surrendering of the cadres of the outfit but she did nothing and Dr. Mukul Sangma, the then CM, did nothing. He has missed the bus otherwise the credit would have gone to him. And now he is crying foul when this MDA government is trying to bring the outfit over ground. As an opposition leader Mukul Sangma has to co-operate with the good moves made by the Government. When and if the Government falters it is his duty to point out and criticise. Though criticism is well within his right as an opposition leader but criticism for its own sake is meaningless. If Dr. Mukul Sangma chooses to make noise and clamour against the Government only to ensure that his position as a leader of the opposition becomes irrelevant then that is his choice. But please point out and criticise if the Government commits blunders. People of Meghalaya would benefit much more from that rather than from cheap political gimmicks and rhetoric which tends to bore people.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marwein,
Via email
Clarification on Sohra District demand
Editor,
Apropos to the letter captioned, ‘Sohra District Justified’, (ST Oct 24, 2018) by Philip Marwein, as the Sirdar of the Elaka Umniuh-Tmar, I would like to clarify on these few points: (i) The Elaka Umniuh-Tmar Sirdarship is not like the Raid as mentioned by the writer. Rather the Elaka Umniuh-Tmar is one among the 54 Elakas/Himas under the jurisdiction of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) as laid down under the KHAD (Administration of Elaka) Act 1991, wherein the Chief is known as Sirdar, which is very different from that of a Headman.
(ii) The general assembly (Dorbar Pyllun) of the Elaka Umniuh-Tmar held on Sep 29, 2018 had unanimously decided not to accept to be part/included in the proposed new district known as Sohra District. However, the Elaka is not averse to the proposed upgradation of the Sohra Civil Sub-Division into full-fledged district.
(iii) To clear the doubts of people, the Elaka Umniuh-Tmar had decided to remain under the Pynursla Civil Sub-division as per notification of the Home Department, Govt of Meghalaya dated February 14, 2017.
In fact, the Elaka Umniuh-Tmar wanted to clarify that it did not endorse the decision taken by the headmen (Sordars) of Seven Raids (Raid Shabong, Lyngkhat, Rangnah, Mukertila, Mawlam, Mawshun and Nongkhlieng) who wished to be included in the proposed district, should its headquarters be located at Elaka Laitlyngkot. This information was carried by your paper on October 3, 2018.
Yours etc.,
PS Khongbeh
Sirdar
Elaka Umniuh-Tmar Sirdarship.
