Thursday, November 28, 2024
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Why the hysteria about masks?

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Editor,
The letter by Salil Gewali (ST May 14, 2020) calling for monetary fine to be imposed on those violating mask-wearing protocol is extreme and hysterical. Agreed that the virus is highly contagious and we should not take it lightly but penalizing people at every opportunity is not the way forward. Besides, masks aren’t the only safety gear that must be adhered to. What about hand gloves or hand sanitizers? So far we have not been checked or punished for not using them in our day to day interactions with one another, why? Can we not contract the virus from hands (touching the contaminated article or articles) and then touching our faces and/or masks? In fact wearing masks is so unnatural and uncomfortable that we end up touching our faces and/or masks more often instead.
In my understanding masks are effective only when used in combination with clean hands. So are we then going to mandatorily ask everyone to carry gloves and hand sanitizers and if they fail to do so then punish them? To over-emphasize the importance of only mask-wearing and not the other safety items may give a wrong sense of security. The point is let’s not start criminalizing everything and penalizing people for failing to adhere to them because once we go down this path, we would be setting very dangerous precedents.
Furthermore, the police have already been given a free hand in implementing the lockdown guidelines by all means necessary. Have we not already seen the police’s brutality? Have we not witnessed them terrorizing the public with their lathis as if herding animals to fall in line? Do we now want to create more fear as the way to deal with this pandemic? It’s not as if the police have not been issuing tickets or penalizing us monetarily already. With the government’s easing down directives not always being clear and sensible on most affairs and those implementing the protocols on the ground refusing to logically analyse the situation and acknowledging the difficulties faced by us, we are already burdened with fines and summon slips at their will. It is still unclear to me if the police are justified in penalizing us for carrying household supplies in our car without a pass. What about needing to go for medical check- up and the police on guard snubbing and penalizing because they deem it as “not emergency,” meaning you are not in bad shape yet or even dying.
Then there is this case of getting summoned to the station because someone decided to help take meals for a hospitalized relative without a pass. And now this hysterical suggestion – another set of power to strip people off their money in these already trying times. Do we really need all this?
Yours etc.,
Ronald Bareh
Shillong – 19

 

Right person for right post

Editor,
The former Chairperson, Meghalaya State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR), Mina Kharkongor, has relinquished office on expiry of her term as per law. The Government of Meghalaya has appointed Caramai Kharkongor, currently Secretary, Social Welfare Department as Chairperson of the Commission in the interim. In this respect, the Government has miserably failed in taking a conscious and judicious decision on this important matter because being the Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Kharkongor has her official responsibilities to handle. It may be mentioned here that Social Welfare Department is one of the major departments of the government and over the years, its functions and responsibilities have increased manifold. Therefore, the roles, funct-ions and responsibilities of the Secretary of the Department have also become multidimensional. In short she is already over-burdened and the post she holds requires full time attention, concentration and dedication. Moreover, the duties, functions and responsibilities of the Chairperson of the SPCPR too are equally demanding. The Commission is a quasi-judicial body which has to delve into rules and laws that come under the purview of Child Rights, their violations and protection. Hence, I feel that Caramai Kharkongor will not be able to shoulder both the responsibilities and will fail to deliver on both counts.
In light of the above, I would suggest that Government relieve Caramai Kharkongor of the post of Chairperson, SCPCR and let her continue with her work as Secretary, Social Welfare Department. There are several women and men who are experienced in social work, particularly in dealing with women and children’s issues who could discharge the responsibilities required of a Chairperson SCPCR. They should of course be persons of integrity and good public relations. Here I propose the names of Dr Rica Lamar, Angela Rangad, Agnes Kharshiing, Rosana Lyngdoh or any other person who is competent to head this important institution.
Yours etc.
Philip Marwein,
Shillong-2

 

North East’s Voice for Local

Editor,
The Prime Minister’s recent call of “Vocal for Local” is the most appropriate one, in the circumstances that we are in. What applies to India regarding self-reliance, however, applies to the entire North East most aptly. This part of the country is too dependent on mainland India for almost all produce and services. Though there are Government schemes from the Centre, our local businesses, barring a few, are unable to do justice to their own potential. Even items of daily need like dal, rice, fish, eggs, etc are largely imported from mainland India.
It is high time that the State Governments recognise this and take adequate measures to create an ecosystem of business friendly environment that would truly make us hear North-East’s Voice for Local. During the lockdown, it is quite evident that there was shortage of even essential items, in North Eastern States, because of this dependency.
The entire official machinery for Agriculture, Commerce, Industry etc., in the North East have a lackadaisical attitude, with hardly anything of note on the ground. This part of the country can never aspire to develop economically until there is sufficient generation of wealth and income.
The State Governments should incentivise local produce and services, and at the same time impose levies on imports from mainland India. The State Governments must have faith in local capability and improve the ecosystem drastically, and immediately.
Yours etc.,
D Bhutia
Guwahati

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