Editor,
The most disheartening part about our politicians once they assume power which also reflects on the government of the day is that they announce gibberish schemes and proposals along with big talk without any concrete action. The state has the best potential to promote tourism through the local film industry and this is a nascent yet employment generating institution that should be given full support to encourage budding film makers, photographers, sound engineers, musicians and many other trades. It is disappointing that the previous government willingly gave Rs 2 crore to producers from Bollywood to promote Rock On 2 – a film that ultimately flopped, but when it came to our local talent the standard answer is, ‘ No Money,’ and this trend continues till date. The habit of promoting unproductive festivals which do not make sense or create any avenues for our local artisans is sheer waste of public money. The saying, ‘Practice what you preach,’ rings out to those who sit in their couches and warm themselves until the next elections, instead of coming out to support initiatives for local youth many of who excel in the performing arts.
Yours etc..
Dominic S.Wankhar
Shillong-3
Internet, a threat to Democracy?
Editor,
In the 2016 elections it was believed that Russia had interfered in the US elections, through the social media by posting nasty and outlandish posts on social platforms that ended up influencing voters to vote in a certain way. Furthermore, during the Brexit voting they put up posts, such as, ‘The EU wants to stop you from drinking tea’. This hinders democracy and preservation of human rights, as it ignites animosity towards specific groups and puts the state in jeopardy. In a world where the internet is not filtered and is constantly subjected to ‘fake news,’ the inaccuracy of information shared, or the half-truths, allow many to be swayed into making decisions based on such fake news. This is no longer what democracy stands for, as voting is no longer by free will but by influence from external factors. Taking the US for example, one year after the election of Trump a survey showed that given a choice, 60% of the people interviewed would have not voted for Trump again. But due to other factors, also including the post seen daily on social media and the slogans he sang, many people ended up voting for him.
In the same US elections, Facebook came under fire for selling information of users to a company called ‘Cambridge Analytica’ which later worked with the Republicans to target voters and to sway their votes through adverts that would arouse their fear and anger. However, although the internet seems like a bad place for democracy, there are a handful of benefits we can derive from it. For instance, the ability of politicians to connect with their voters to hear their problems and make efforts to address them is all due to this virtual connection. Further, the internet has allowed us, as a world community, to be more in touch with each other as we are able to reach different people in different places at a quicker pace, allowing us to know and work together on difficult issues. For example, agencies like Amnesty International receive emails from across the world to put pressure on state authorities to repeal their decision on the sentencing of a human rights activist. Another good example is the #MeToo movement, where people tweet about how their rights are being violated.
So while the internet may violate certain norms by going against people’s rights but if used correctly, it is a great tool in the promotion of democracy and human rights.
Yours etc.,
Evaris Pala Slong
Webster University USA,
Leiden Campus.
Amul milk economy pack costlier
Editor,
Amul is amongst the largest selling brands of milk and milk-products in India. But it is surprising to note that six-litre pack of Amul-Gold has Maximum-Retail-Price (MRP) of rupees 312, while two-litre pack is Rs 99 only. Evidently it is cheaper to buy three packs of two-litres at a total MRP of Rs 297 for total six litres rather than one six-litre pack priced at rupees 312. Market-study reveals that profit-percentage at six-litre economy pack is much higher than in packs of half, one and two litres making dealers selling six-litre pack at rupees 300 rather than on printed MRP of rupees 312. Prices of Amul-Gold in packs of half and one litre are at rupees 26 and 50 respectively.
Since most popular pack in milk is of half-litre, standard milk-packings should be half, two and five litres, abolishing packs of one and six litres. There should be reasonable and logical economy pricing in packs of two and five litres.
Yours etc.,
Madhu Agrawal, (Guinness Record Holder for letters in newspapers)
Delhi – 6
Lokayukta finally!
Editor,
The long felt need of the people of Meghalaya has been answered as the former judge of Guwahati High Court Justice P K Musahary was sworn in as the first chairperson of the Meghalaya Lokayukta. An anti-corruption committee has the potential to take our nation’s governance to new levels with a professed view to curb corruption and misuse of power in high places. Corruption has grown exponentially, so much so that people find it hard to believe that anyone in our polity can ever be non- corrupt. The need for Lokayukta has never been more felt and with the growing influence of money power in society, the courts of law alone under the Prevention of Corruption Act are in no position to handle the burgeoning number of crimes related to corruption.
Yours etc.,
Advocate M. Haque
Shillong-6