Editor,
News appearing in Shillong Times (Tura Edition, Nov 19,2018) regarding nomination to Lok Sabha Polls is quite amusing. Even before the AICC/MPCC could call for application from the intending candidates, the working president of the Meghalaya Congress, James Lyngdoh has already announced the result. The first step is to call for applications from the intending candidates who are willing to contest the forth coming LS Polls. Then the applications are to be scrutinized by the respective Block Congress Committees (BCC) and District Congress Committees (DCCs) and only then will the application/s be forwarded to the MPCC for further scrutiny and on the recommendations of the DCCs. Selection of the candidate should be on the basis of his/her reputation, winnability factor and acceptance by the masses. Then the application is forwarded to the AICC with critical assessments by the State Congress. The procedure is same for both Shillong and Tura seats. And further, without inviting applications how can MPCC say there are several candidates for the Tura seat?
Another thing I wish to point out to MPCC is that they should not say that CLP leader, Dr Mukul Sangma is going to decide the Tura seat. Dr Mukul Sangma is a highly respected leader but the statement implies that the existence of DCCs, BCCs, PCCs and Mahila Congress is meaningless. It is true that Dr Sangma must be in the process of feeling the pulse of the people, not as the CLP leader but as a leader from the Garo Hills districts. His experience, advice and leadership mean a lot to the Congress Party in the districts. What I mean to say is that the use of certain words is incorrect and could even lead to the disintegration of the Party at the grass roots level as was the quick reaction from John Kharshiing. There is no doubt Mr Pala might be the best choice but please declare the results only after getting the nod from the AICC. Here the MPCC is only a recommending body and not the deciding factor.
Yours etc.,
Dev Areng,
Tura
Of avoidable road accidents
Editor,
The number of deaths caused by road accidents is on the increase. Just a few days ago a Class XI girl lost her life in a hit and run case in Nongpoh and a student of English Department of USTM in Baridua, Khanapara may never be able to live a normal life after his right hand was run over by a Dumper. Whose fault is it? The victims? The roads? Or the drivers? No one can say for sure whose fault it is, but the Government should take cognizance of all of these occurrences and take measures to prevent them. Lives are lost daily and most of the times its the innocent ones who die. The horrible condition of the Baridua road is the prime reason why accidents happen. To top it all these heavy stone carrying dumpers move throughout the day and night and drive like crazy. The news of the death of the Class XI student is really heartbreaking because it could have been avoided if there were proper checks on over-speeding; if there were speed breakers; if a traffic police had been present and the road condition was better The only road that seems safer to drive on is the 4-lane stretch from Guwahati to Umiam. It’s high time the Government thinks about the size of the road considering that the number of cars has increased ten-fold since the roads were first built.
Yours etc.,
Reakor Shisha Kharkrang,
Shillong-9
The Statue of Unity divides…
Editor,
Built at a height of 182 meters (597 ft) in the state of Gujarat, The Statue of Unity is the world’s tallest statue built in memory of freedom fighter SardarVallabhbhai Patel. There have been many debates going on since the time of its announcement as to whether it is wise of the Government to be spending such a huge amount on a statue whereas there are places in the country that are poverty-stricken and starving. It is indeed debatable as the statue will no doubt attract tourism and bring income but there are places like Kerala and Assam where floods bring destruction every year but still no preventive measures are being taken. People have different views regarding the statue. Some agree that it is a good investment and will soon yield results but there are some who question the fact that the amount spent on building the statue would have fed many hungry mouths, provided a home to many homeless or even medically treated many poor patients who do not have the resources. Living conditions in the rural areas should improve, education policies should improve, people should get clean drinking water and every household should have a toilet. These are priorities and not a statue.
There have been many protests and allegations by the tribals who reside there that their land has been acquired illegally by the authorities, however, the Government has denied all such claims. There was a social media war on this topic even as the country was divided in its opinion. No doubt this decision might be helpful in the long run, however, what people have to say is that they want basic necessities of to be fulfilled first as there are millions in the country who are living without the basic amenities of life.
Yours etc.,
Ankita Joshi,
Via email