Editor,
Apropos the letter “Rahul’s final assault on poverty” (ST March 30, 2019) by S Bandopadhya, it is true that the announcement had come at a time that gives space to critics with respect to its timing. On the matter of it’s being implementable or not, it should be noted that the MIGS had been carefully examined and discussed at length by the party in consultation with leading economists of the country. Now to expect that a leader of a political class should have a doctorate on a scheme he proposes and it’s bearing on science, climate change, telecommunication, health etc.,is simply absurd. For example in the ministry of power generation we cannot expect all ministers to have a doctorate on electrical engineering or solar plants or nuclear physics. Every ministry has a host of experts in it’s field to guide and work on the concerned matter. As regards to the second point – the Rafale aircraft deal, I believe the writer of the letter is better informed than I am to expect any arguments as the matter is sub-judice, and as such we ought to abide by the rule of law.
Yours etc.,
- Khyriem,
Nongthymmai.
Salute Shillong Trade Fair!
Editor,
I was overwhelmed with emotion and indebtedness as I visited the 20th International Shillong Trade Fair at Fire Brigade Ground the other day. I became emotional because it reminded me of my father who took me to the fair 20 years ago as a class V student. He must be smiling from heaven today seeing his grown up son taking his little granddaughter
to the same fair to celebrate its 20 glorious years. Secondly, I feel indebted because this Fair played a crucial role in the formation of my life and career. As a normal boy from Shillong I dreamt of opening a small garment shop at Police Bazar. But, this Fair taught me to dream big and opened an entirely new world for me outside Meghalaya.
Today, I am one of the few lucky ones from Shillong who is based in Mumbai exporting garments to Thailand and Dubai. Thanks to Shillong Trade Fair for giving me the opportunity to interact with foreign participants especially from Thailand. The Thai traders imbibed in me
the sense of professionalism and competitiveness. I am a clear cut example of social and economic transformation that Shillong Trade Fair has brought to Meghalaya. Like a silent warrior and crusader this Fair has taken the Brand Meghalaya to different countries across South East Asia. I started my business in Dubai and Thailand based on my relations with Shillong Trade Fair, and its organiser ITFAA. The Indian Embassy in Bangkok accorded a red carpet welcome to me when I informed them about my relations with the Fair.
I sincerely think that the Government and people of Meghalaya should officially recognise and reward ITFAA which is organising this Fair in Shillong for the last 20 years bringing a sea change to the brand image of Shillong in particular and Meghalaya in general.
I also had the good fortune of benefitting from one of its social welfare activities. My late father’s last trip to hospital was made possible by the ambulance donated by ITFAA to the Laitumkhrah Dorbar.I would like to congratulate the Laitumkhrah Dorbar for taking the historic step 20 years back in joining hands with ITFAA to organise International Shillong Trade Fair at Fire Brigade Ground, Laitumkhrah. I doubt whether any other Dorbar in Shillong is running an ambulance service for the benefit of the common people. The initiative taken by the local Dorbar by allowing ITFAA to organise fairs in Fire Brigade Ground will be remembered in golden letters in the history of Shillong.
I am sure my sentiment and emotions will be echoed by thousands of youths from Shillong regarding the yeoman service played by Shillong Trade Fair in the formation of their life and careers.
Yours etc.,
Peter Lyngdoh,
Mumbai
Indira Gandhi & the Division of Pakistan
Editor,
Amidst the recent jingoism of the current dispensation at the Centre taking the credit of being “macho” and entering the enemy territory (read Pakistan) with surgical strikes, it is important to remember that long years back (about 47 years ago in 1971), India, with Indira Gandhi at the helm as the Prime Minister, had intervened militarily and helped in creation of Bangladesh with the division of Pakistan. The Pakistan army had surrendered to the Indian forces on December 16, 1971. This was, by far, the biggest military victory of India over Pakistan, and never ever, before or after, could India could humiliate Pakistan the way it did in 1971. Even at that point in India, it was about a fight between India and Pakistan, and was never projected as a fight between the Pakistani and Indian Governments. It is definitely important to remember that Governments (specially federal ones) belong to the entire country, and NOT just a to a section. Similarly, when a federal government acts, especially in external situations, it is the Country that acts, and NOT just the Government.
However, in India, specially of late, it has become a norm to term any act by the federal government (meaning the Government at the Centre) as an act of the Government or its leader, and NOT the Country; which indirectly means that the entire Country is NOT included in the Government.
To our good fortune, whenever, there were external threats or international issues, the country stood as one, and except for a few rare instances, the opposition political parties have also supported the actions of the Government at the Centre. Alas, in these times, only a leader or a party seems to usurp and take all the credit for all actions by different constituents of the country. This does not augur well for the country.
Yours etc.,
A Bhuyan
Nagaon (Assam)
Why the jobcrisis ?
Editor,
A large part of the so-called job crisis is becauseof demand for governmentjobs, not jobs per se. It isclear that due to theimplementation ofdemonetisation, GST Taxand automation the jobcrisis has increased. Itindicates a situation wherethe total number of jobvacancies is much less thanthe total number of jobseekers in India. It wouldnow be better to look at thecurrent estimates ofemployment andunemployment in thecountry made by PlanningCommission. One thing issure that politically, jobcrisis or youthunemployment will be animportant agenda for the2019 election.
Yours etc.,
Vinod C. Dixit,
Ahmedabad