Editor,
“Only when the last tree has been cut down, the last fish been caught, and the last stream poisoned, will we realize we cannot eat money.” ? Cree Indian prophecy
Another building to expand the concrete jungle in spite of much-needed forest lands? An air-conditioned shopping mall against an open ecological reserve? Escalators and lifts against acres of green meadows? International designer-labels against ‘Made-in-Meghalaya’ products? Food corps and restaurant chains against traditional cuisines? Phone stores and luxury brands to fuel superficial lifestyles against an epitome of Meghalaya’s natural beauty? A vast, power intensive complex against a verdant eco-park that generates oxygen?
Do not mislead your people into a shopping mall for personal gains, dear government. It is not our culture. Do not bury our cultural heritage and the pride and joy we have in Meghalaya under your shopping mall. We don’t want to perpetuate destructive food and fashion corporations, and hi-tech conglomerates. We need an eco space that reminds us that we are a humble hill tribe and not trendy sheep. Do not mislead the tourists, they come to Meghalaya to see our lush green lands and indigenous culture, not to shop at your “mall”. They’ve got plenty of those where they come from. Clearly you don’t see the Iconic Green Park as having as much potential for profit as much as the mall, but you should give it a green light; because your shopping mall not only threatens to diminish our land and culture, but also the very well-being of our own people.
Try funding education or creating employment for the youth. You’ll see how that will empower the future generation, who will in turn bring value to the state beyond what any mall ever can.
Yours etc.,
Abigail Crystal Nampui,
Via email
Playing with young lives
Editor,
Death by suicide is something which many of us can’t fathom, more so when it involves a young person. Recently there has been a spurt in deaths by suicide of students who’ve been disheartened by the attitude of the government on not postponing the entrance exams of JEE and NEET. The pressure of having to do these exams with the shadow of the Covid 19 pandemic looming large might be the reason as to why they have taken the extreme step.
We have seen the coverage given by the media to the recent demise of the Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Many of us are also awaiting the truth as to the reason for his unfortunate death. But why is the media not highlighting the suicides of the students who have taken their own lives? Many of those in the cities have family members who are suffering from the virus. The number of cases in India has made it the number one globally. Conduct of exams like the KCET, KEAM and COMEDK has seen students crowding and no proper protocol being followed as assured by those conducting the exams, in spite of prior assurance given to candidates by the conducting bodies. It has thus become a major concern for the students and parents of those who are to take the exams.
Moreover the present floods due to the rains have made it impossible for the affected people to travel as train and public transport services are disrupted thereby adding to the pressure on the students.
The Supreme Court, in it’s judgment says that “careers of students cannot be put in peril.” What about their health and safety issues? Or is it that the law favours only the rich and famous and that the deaths of ordinary students don’t matter? The protests by students, parents and others were vigorous but to no avail.
Those of us parents who have children appearing for these exams can only hope and pray that divine intervention happens and good sense prevails so that our children are not forced to take the exams under such trying times.
Yours etc.,
Angela Lyngdoh
Shillong-14
No concrete monstrosity please
Editor,
The news item, “Is Barik PWD complex up for a shopping mall?” (ST Aug 17, 2020) comes as a shocker as the area was decided by the last government to be transformed into an eco-friendly heritage site. What Meghalaya and its capital city, Shillong really needs in order to retain its name and essence is a bio-reserve. Sadly, it had always been the case that with the coming in of a new government, decisions taken by the previous government are altered or abandoned. This is exactly what is happening with the Barik PWD complex. The last thing that Shillong needs is a shopping mall right in the heart of the already congested city. Ours is a state blessed with flora and fauna, beautiful climate and breeze and showers of rain. To retain the above is our duty and responsibility. In Meghalaya tourism is the one clean industry that had been generating and could generate the much needed revenue for the state in addition to the employment generation prospects of the people of the state, especially our youth. The shopping mall would only cater to the delights of a few while a bio-reserve would be a manifold blessing.
On this issue I echo the angst of Mr Toki Blah, President ICARE. Nothing could possibly be behind the change of plans but the greed of a few. This time the people of the state must come together and raise their voices and demand for what should be the right thing to do in this heritage spot. We cannot and must not allow the will of a few to sideline a project that is for the good of all and that will also survive the tides of time.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email