Editor,
The recent government orders appear to be illogical when seen in the context of what good government policy should be. The order allowing odd and even numbered vehicles to ply on alternate days while permitting only private vehicles to ply on Sundays is a case in point. If the government had been sensitive to the misery of several thousand voiceless commercial vehicle drivers and helpers who had to face loss of their meager incomes these past months, it would have allowed only commercial vehicles to ply on Sundays. This step would help the stakeholders recoup whatever little they can. It would also encourage more people to adopt public transport as a means of travel which is a stated aim of the government in light of limited road space in Shillong and other towns.
Another point that government needs to take into account is that most working class people who constitute the majority of the population do not own vehicles and hence travel to their work places by public transport. They are facing problems as only 50% commercial passenger vehicles can ply on a given day. Hence, to ease the problems of the silent majority, and not just cater to the demands of a vociferous and influential minority, the government should allow all commercial passenger vehicles to ply on all days while further reducing the percentage of private vehicles that can ply on any given day.
This may seem like a fond hope considering that government decisions are taken by those living in a comfort zone and alienated from the majority. However, we hope that those vocal members in the opposition will take up the matter.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
Blessed are the merciful !
Editor,
Much water has flowed under the bridge and human memory has slowly and steadily faded into nothingness since the demise of Dr J Sailo on April 15 last, after unfortunately falling victim to the dreaded Corona virus pandemic. Indeed, it was lamentable that following this physician’s expiry, two particular localities situated apart, viz, Nongpoh and Jhalupara had vehemently opposed the deceased’s burial and cremation rites respectively on the premise of fear of virus dispersion in their environs. These two incidents must have been a nightmarish ordeal for the near and dear ones of the late doctor, but, out of the blue, lo and behold, by underlining the eight beatitudes of Jesus Christ on the Mount, in the Gospel of Matthew who said “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy,” the Riatsamthiah Presbyterian church had compassionately offered a decent burial space in its burial grounds at Lawmali, Shillong. The concerned family ought to be profoundly indebted to the Riatsamthiah Presbyterian church over such a warm-hearted reciprocation. May, therefore, all the good deeds of late Dr Sailo be interred with his bones as this was precisely what Mark Antony expressed soulfully over the public beneficient deeds of murdered Julius Ceaser, in one of Shakespeare’s famous dramas.
On the flip side, I learnt rather belatedly that the late doctor was from the Khasi tribe. After all he bears the surname of Ryntathiang. Hitherto, I thought he was a Mizo as the deceased was widely and popularly called Dr Sailo. In this context, I’m reminded of Mr HS Shylla the Ex- Cem of KHADC and the Khasi Lineage Bill, he attempted to enact into a law but regrettably failed and which ended up being a none starter to date. It could have been a great game changer.
Yours etc.,
Jerome K Diengdoh,
Shillong