Editor,
The now defunct MCCL adds not only to the woes of the residents of Sohra but for the State Government as well. The one and only state-owned cement factory is in the doldrums for the last many years. The Company which had its name established in the North East for its quality is on its death-bed. A factory of such magnitude cannot run on losses for so many years. Now where does the fault lie? The factory which had started making profits has lost its creditability and perhaps even the name is now erased from the minds of the people. It is high time that the factory closes down or is handed over to any private enterprise that can handle the day to day affairs of the factory. Government is losing crores of rupees and there seems to be no future if it lies idle.
If the private cement companies set up after the MCCL can make hundreds of crores of rupees as profit, why not MCCL? The Govt. should think of leasing out the Company so that there will not be recurring expenditure. Instead, the Govt. will gain by the leased out amount and the taxes thereon. One can only hope that those in Government will put their heads together and come out with a fruitful decision.
Yours etc.,
S L Singhania
Shillong-1
Avarice the root of all evils
Editor,
English Poet, John Donne’s quote, ‘no man is an island,’ does not hold water in the present pandemic. Like never before in human history, humans are told to limit contact with others and ensure a distance of at least a meter from another human. Locking men and women in their abodes for over 60 days due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the government did not provide enough time to migrant workers and students to return to their respective homes, thousands of miles away. The lockdown declared all of a sudden left people in the lurch and resulted in the deaths of many migrant workers across the country. Since the lockdown seemed to have contained the infection and the pandemic has not assumed alarming proportions unlike in the other nations, the government decided to extend it twice.
As a result, the economy came to a grinding halt. Educational institutions remained shut. Exams were postponed or cancelled. Children and youth were confined to the four walls of their homes, unable to breathe fresh air and do refreshing exercises. They cursed their fate of being locked down. Entertainment ceased to exist. Males with hair and beard overgrown and females longing for beauty parlours for manicure and pedicure and facials were a desperate lot and everyday seemed eternity for them.
Patience of Indians, who had cooperated commendably with three phases of lockdown, seems to have strained each time the lockdown was extended. Now the public transport system has resumed providing some relief to the public especially to the migrant workers. But still there is one prominent sector which needs opening up. It is none other than places of worship. Basically, man needs a spiritual gathering to worship at regular intervals. But that seems to be the last item due to the strict observance of social distancing norms. It is true that nothing happens without the knowledge of God and Covid-19 pandemic is known to God and billions of people pleading with God to end the catastrophe. Let us introspect whether we have gone astray from the path of righteousness to displease God. After all, God wants us to love each other and help those in need. But how many of us really stick to this Godly principle? Undoubtedly, avarice is the root of all evils.
Yours etc.,
TK Nandanan,
Via email