Editor,
Nothing has defiled mother earth but our lifestyles. Our excessive greed has long rendered its lungs sluggish and its heart weak. With each passing year, she is getting more feverish and paler. She often sneezes, coughs up and convulses. Therefore, I consider ones’ efforts to “decontaminate” her akin to an act of worshiping the Almighty. I am very much with the former Minister – Paul Lyngdoh. He has taken a bold step by officially declaring Bara Bazar (Iewduh) a no-plastic zone. We should all support Bah Paul. It should be an inspiration to others. Imagine, how good it would be if the present government too takes a cue from this and extends this legislation to the whole state?
I am sure this will make the Center happy too. Is Mawlynnong not the cleanest village in Asia which is in our state? We have never fallen behind to brag about it. But let’s do it with logic. Merely taking hollow pride in it is not helpful. Let’s practice that which we take pride in and preach about.
In this effort to rid nature of plastics, I strongly feel that empty water bottles which contribute to defacing nature and our rivers and streams should also be banned altogether. They take up the empty space to clog each pore of the environment. Still worse are other plastic items which are finally going to hurt the ecology. We also should take notice of the serious environmental hazards caused by the number of rock-hard plastic items and toxic fumes.
The increasing industrialization, urbanization and production and utilization of motor vehicles has worsened everything. Alas, this notion of consumerism, which is basically driven by our greed and short-lived comfort and luxuries, has almost blinded our eyes of wisdom. The most powerful people have rendered this planet powerless to nourish and keep us healthy. The President of the most powerful country — Donald Trump willfully withdrew from “Climate Change mitigation” based on Paris Agreement, 2016. Can the USA stop contributing greenhouse emission into the sky which is common to all states around the globe? Yes, with this ego and greed to save some pennies, the powerful leaders are only aggravating ecological sickness of Mother Earth. Come on, wake up before we will have to wake up to a series of unprecedented natural catastrophes and abnormally fatal epidemic. We can breathe, eat and live well, only if we can take care of our Mother Earth. Kicking out the luxuries is the best way out.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong-2
Umroi Airport
Editor,
Apropos the report Technical Panel to study Umroi Airport obstacles (ST Aug 7, 2019) makes one to be hopeful of a final solution looking seemingly near after huge sums have been incurred not once, not twice but three times in slicing the three clusters in the vicinity of the airport. It is the hope of the prospective fliers that with the latest survey equipments assisted by G.P.S. of 10 cm accuracy, this airport, after the removal of the said obstacles be finally feasible for Turbo Jet and Air bus to land. One very important question remains to be answered by the Hon’ble Transport Minister, Meghalaya. The question is, “What is the 3C category airport all about?” The prospective air passengers would be obliged if the question is answered so as to enlighten them. In case of difficulty, it is better advised to consult Google.
Yours etc.,
M.Khyriem,
Shillong- 14
Schools misusing public roads
Editor,
Shillong is in a daily mess before and after school hours. I cannot point out all the junctions which badly affects others but being a regular pedestrian myself from Dhanketi towards Don Bosco point, I get frustrated, irritated whenever I have to must walk past the Loreto Convent main school gate. The sole reason is because the footpath gets overcrowded when the concerned parents occupy every inch of the public footpath whilst fetching their children. Even the narrow roads are not spared either. It gets overcrowded there beginning from 10:30 am and gets worse of all after school hours of the seniors. Every day I find parents being made to stand for hours outside the school premises waiting to fetch their children. This is the arrenegment of the school authority and it causes so much discomfort for us who have to pass through this lane. I even heard from a concerned parent of that school that it gets even worst during a rainfall with umbrellas poking at each another, honking of cars at the parents while trying to get through the busy roads. There is total chaos. My suggestion to the school authority is why don’t they just allow the parents get inside their huge school premises and collect their children from inside. If the security of a child is a matter of concern then safety for pedestrians is also an issue here. It is the sole responsibility of the school management to make necessary arrangements for the comfort of the parents as well. There have been many instances where parents while standing there were either being mildly run over by a tyre or being whistled through by a car/two wheeler. My humble request to the Principal of Loreto Convent as a pedestrian and for the matter, on behalf of the parents is to please look into this matter with utmost concern and treat your child’s parents with due respect as well by providing them shelter inside the school campus like it used to be in the past. .
Yours etc.,
A concerned citizen.
USA’s unfair stance
Editor,
In a curious and far reaching consequence for India, President Donald Trump said that India and China are no longer ‘developing nations’ and were taking advantage of the tag from the WTO and asserted that he will not let it happen anymore. It may be recalled that earlier in July, Trump asked the WTO to define how it designates developing country status, a move apparently aimed at singling out countries like China, India and Turkey which are getting lenient treatment under the global trade rules. To further prevent enjoying the advantage of being a developing country, Trump had empowered the US Trade Representative to start taking punitive actions if any advanced economies are inappropriately taking advantage of the WTO loopholes.
In a clear statement, Trump said, “India and China –the two economic giants from Asia-are no longer developing nations and as such they cannot enjoy the benefit from WTO.” He further said, “India and China have been taking advantage for years thereby putting the US to disadvantage.”
Now this issue has to be left to the world bodies which have to take a decision whether India is still a developing country or developed country. Only after taking a final decision, India may be disallowed the advantage of being a developing country. Regarding China, there is no a second thought needed to ascertain that it is a developed nation and curiously enough, this country is still enjoying the benefits of a developing country status.
China is well equipped and is poised to overtake even the US on the technological front. China’s economy is robust and their largest and top banking systems are even a model to America to take the cue from. Surely, China does not have the propriety to still cling on to the advantage tag of being a developing country.
Yours etc.,
TK Nandanan,
Via email