To Sunday Shillong,
This is in reference to the article, ‘Taking home Ksan memories’, published on February 17. Through the recollection one can understand what difficulties the rescuers had faced and are still facing.
The rescue operation is still continuing at Ksan with the navy ROV trying to detect bodies inside the deep coal pit. But chances of finding the bodies remain bleak. So it is time that the recovery operation is called off. The Supreme Court, which had ordered that the state government should pull up the miners dead or alive, should now instruct the authorities concerned to stop the work and instead utilise the resources in supporting the bereaved families which have lost their bread earners. The government should convince the remaining families to agree to this.
The incident at Ksan should be a lesson not only for the government but also for the miners. Rat-hole mine tragedy is not new in the state and several lives were lost in the past due to similar tragedies. Now, the government should be alert and crack down on illegal mines. It should not come up with excuses like there is manpower crisis or all illegal mines are in remote parts of the state. The authorities should sanitise the illegal mines before resuming mining following proper rules.
Thanking you
Anonymous
To Sunday Shillong,
This is in reference to the report, ‘71 & still running’, published in the February 17 edition. It was really good to read such a positive story. A septuagenarian’s grit and dedication is an inspiration for all. Meghalaya has many sporting talents but none of them has got due recognition thanks to the apathy of successive governments. The government should identify young sporting talents and promote them. At the same time, it should also recognise veterans who are setting examples for many youths in the state.
Thanking you
Arpita Paul
To Sunday Shillong,
A recent international article by leading global scientists and researchers published in the journal Conservation Biology has warned us about the emergent danger of unprecedented extinction of numerous insect species from the planet. Insects represent one of the largest groups of most fascinating and superbly adopted animals in this planet. Factors such as widespread and indiscriminate use of insecticides, pollution, climate change, destruction of forests and natural habitats, overexploitation of nature are cumulatively contributing towards the global decline of insect population.
Scientists believe that we have been able to locate, identify and discover only a handful of species of insects while a significant majority of them could still be unknown to science. Our perception regarding insects is quite negative. But if we take a look beyond our disgust about insects and their harmful aspect, we will appreciate the monumental ecological services they perform to maintain the ecological homeostasis of our planet. A vast majority of our food and industrial crops and forest species are dependent on cross-pollination for their reproduction and survival. It is amazing to note that a vast majority of insect species in addition to honeybees and native bees take part in this process of cross-pollination that is vital for our food security as well as stability and proper functioning of the natural ecosystem. The insects which help run the cycle are moths, butterflies, wasps, ants, flies and beetles, to mention only a handful. Without this farmer and environment-friendly insects our chances of survival as species on this planet are indeed quite bleak.
Further, insects are also important in breaking down complex molecules into their simplest elemental forms. Thus insects help in the process of maintaining the biogeochemical cycles operating in nature. Insects play a significant economic role in the form of apiculture, sericulture and lac culture industries providing employment to millions and helping in building the economy. Loss of beneficial farmer friendly insects is an issue directly related to food security since this can significantly impact global crop production across around the globe.
Thanking you
Saikat Kumar Basu