Editor,
The Cabinet on the move initiative of Chief Minster, Conrad Sangma is a stunt of sorts but for me an unimpressive one. The first meeting of the Cabinet outside the state capital was in Tura in June last year. The second was in Jowai the other day. In Tura the Cabinet ministers had a good ride to the ‘capital’ of Garo Hills and a comfortable stay also with good lodging facilities available. In Jowai, they probably returned to the comfort of their homes after the meeting.
If the Government wants to understand the real challenges of people why didn’t the Cabinet meet in Baghmara, the headquarters of South Garo Hills? Probably their SUVs would have got stuck on the indescribable condition of the highway to the town literary meaning,“The tiger died”. The honourable men would have discovered how the native place of the State’s first Chief Minister, Captain Williamson Sangma has been poorly treated over 48 years. Bong Lasker might have killed the Bengal tiger but successive governments have frozen the development of the area. The Government did not meet in Mawkyrwat, South West Khasi Hills because the ministers would have had a “Rock ‘N’ Roll” ride and did not want to see the backwardness of the area. The CM and the ministers did not go to Ampati, the capital of South West Garo Hills because they would have seen the excellent road system created by the former CM Mukul Sangma.
Therefore, the Cabinet on the move is an artificial move. It is a headline grabber without the sincere desire to know and solve the real issues of the state that need Government’s intervention.
Yours etc.,
Albert Thyrniang
Umswai, West KarbiAnglong,
Assam
Struggling mother’s woes
Editor,
Apropos the letter ‘Struggling mother with a child’ by Salil Gewali (ST Feb 7, 2020) Firstly, the letter overwhelmed me with many thoughts and evoked pity for the lady with her child. Here I think the writer had clearly referred to those sellers coming from villages and selling local produce in a basket. Imagine only a basketful of veggies to sell for a day and how many hungry children must be waiting at home. And if the mother is sick the children would come to sell. Although many of us have compassion, we don’t practice it. We can help and promote them in our own capacity as responsible buyers. I usually buy local produce from old people, mothers with children and from children themselves. Sometimes I don’t take back the change of Rs.10 or 20 and instead offer them for tea.
From my younger days, our parents taught us not to bargain with poor people because that is all they have for their living. But over time we lived our own lives and things have changed. We have become selfish in the midst of our hardships. Little kindness and generosity have become only a trend. Charities and donations we give for earning big names. We forget that many of them are our own relatives and it is our duty to love them. Many a times I buy veggies not because i need them but because their need is greater than mine. This expression of kindness was better shown by our parents when they offered tea and snacks to anyone who comes to sell vegetables to our home. I am convinced, though it was a small act of kindness it would have tremendous impact it on our children.
This is why Salil Gewali’s letter deeply touched my heart for which I honestly thank him. Mr. Gewali has in his letter clearly mirrored the ground realities of our urban localities. The poor villagers in swarms flock to the vicinities of the town to earn some money by selling their produce. Whatever little amount they earn after hard labour they do not save that to buy vehicles and luxury items but only to ensure their basic essentials are met. Shame that we bargain from the people who do not have sufficient clothes to wear and enough food to eat. This is not humanity. We remain indifferent to the distress of our fellow citizens. These are people feeding the urbanites with their organic produce. We will be deprived of fresh fruits and vegetables if the villagers do not cultivate their land and stop selling vegetables and fruits. Our survival purely depends on them. It is unfortunate we don’t empathize with their labour and struggle. Let us all unite and give them the love they deserve. Lets not bargain with them.
Your’s etc.,
Lunna A.Sangma
Ballonggre
Tura
State of Festivals
Editor,
If Meghalaya is compared with other states in the northeast I think it would achieve a record and perhaps even rechristen itself as the State of Festivals rather than the Abode of Clouds. The proposed festival to celebrate the Meghalayan Age at Thadlaskein in West Jaintia defeats the purpose of the program as the caption has no connection at all with the place of discovery of the Meghalayan Age which is at Mawmluh, Sohra. The purpose of the festival should have a historical and anthropological connotation with the place, but the way it’s being organised seems out of sync. Perhaps Mr.Conrad Sangma should look back at the proposed festival and realign the priorities of the state that would benefit the actual people on the ground rather for some corporate to rip off the state exchequer.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S.Wankhar
Shillong