Editor,
The Advisory issued by the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills April 4, 2020 which was also circulated through social media is quite confounding. In the Advisory, the DC mentioned Rule 8 of the Noise Pollution and Control Rule 2000 and Amendments thereof and strongly advised against broadcasting or use of PA and audio systems in the localities and villages of the district by any faith based or any other organisation, group or people so as not to cause any discomfort or disturbance to the public during this period, due to the COVID – 19 situation in the country.
I am very much in agreement with the DC on this matter, especially if some group or faith based organisations start to take advantage of the situation and instead of bringing tranquility and calmness in people’s minds, they start preaching their religious rhetoric and hence confuse the people and make them panic. The only issue is the timing of the Advisory. Had the Advisory been issued at the beginning of the lockdown, then nobody would have raised any objections. But as we are getting to the last leg of the Lockdown, this advisory will be misinterpreted by people, especially the Christian Community, since the DC issued the Advisory after some of the localities had invited Christian leaders to pray and preach during the Lockdown for about 20 to 25 minutes duration. In my humble opinion, I don’t think this will cause any disturbance or discomfort to anyone and many even welcome such a step. I also do not think this will make such a noise of high decibels that will classify it as noise pollution. The only people who are disturbed are perhaps those that are against Christianity. The timing of the Advisory is such that it makes people think that the Administration is anti-Christian. Well, India is a secular country and the Christian community have not even once raised their voices during the festivals of other religions and the noise they create during such festivities.
Though I fully agree with the Advisory, but I totally disagree with its timing. As the saying goes, “The right thing done at the wrong time is a wrong.”
Yours etc.,
Khamniar Thangkhiew,
Shillong-2
Coviditos celebrated with fire crackers
Editor,
On the appeal of our Hon’ble Prime Minister in my neighbourhood hundreds of people on Sunday switched of their lights and lit candles and torches on their balconies to show solidarity in the fight against the corona virus. However, contrary to the PM’s “diya jalao” appeal people started bursting crackers in my neighbourhood and adjoining areas and began whistling loudly. It was a matter of surprise . The bursting of crackers and jubilation in the form of whistling comes across as illogical. It made me wonder how and from where people procured crackers at a time when even essential commodities were a premium .This is the height of insanity and insensitivity to celebrate death and disease with so much pomp and show and bursting of crackers These jokers are true legends who had given a celebratory tribute and singularly mocked at PM’s appeal to world death in corona virus pandemic.
Yours etc.,
Advocate M.Haque.
Shillong -6
Covid Lessons
Editor,
How small is the man who otherwise brags about his achievements? All his achievements are nothing before a small virus called Covid-19. Paradoxically, the most powerful country in the world is also on its knees and finding it hard or helpless to fight it. It just cannot do anything at all but look on helplessly even while taking on it. Human science and knowledge cannot cope with it, nor has it found a vaccine to cure it effectively to date. Now the buzzword, Covid-19, has invaded each one of us to such an extent that a day does not pass without uttering it hundreds of times. Incredible how much this pandemic has changed the world overnight!
Covid-19 divides the world into two phases- a world before and after it. The pre-Covid-19 era was more or less like a laissez-faire world where people were living a rat race. How aggressive and selfish were humans running after one thing or another. Parents did not have time to spend with their children and children were disturbed and disgruntled because of this.
Every home was in an unanimated state till the Covid-19 pandemic came. With its advent all brokenness among families were repaired. That’s the power of Covid-19. Is it a panacea that nature has forcefully inflicted on us? The answer seems to be yes. When both parents work, some children feel neglected. No matter how hectic the life of the parents become, they are required to set aside time each day for their children. But the sad fact is that even after work, they would go out to relieve the mental tension carried over from the work place, thus subtracting the time supposed to be spent with their children. Now Covid-19 has plugged that hole of wasting time and forced parents to spend more time with children at home. This was long overdue.
Now every home becomes a perfectly happy home. There is one more villain which used to devour the joy at home – alcohol. Thank God, the moment the heady brew stopped being produced, every home has become more joyful. Another happy thing the pandemic brought forth was a relief for the womenfolk at home. Nowadays, husbands, unable to do anything at home are forced to help with domestic chores thereby giving their wives a reprieve.
Where is our hurry gone now? Often our hurry has become ‘more haste, less speed’ and landed us in trouble. As a matter of fact, Covid-19 has brought us all to our knees. From being arrogant it has made us introspect where we were and where we are now. Let the changes that Covid-19 brought stay with us for our good and that of humanity.
Yours etc.,
TK Nandanan,
Via email