Editor,
I refer to the thought provoking letter “On good governance and Meghalaya” by DS Singh (ST Sept 30,2020). Personally I am indebted to the writer for bringing home what it means to have “good governance”. I endorse all of what he said and would like to dwell on the term “inclusive”. The word “inclusive” is the adjective of “inclusion”(noun). The dictionary meaning of the word “inclusion” is, “the action of including or the state of being included.” The antonym of “inclusion” is “exclusion.” I Google-checked to find this explanation and it says, “the practice or policy of including people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalised such as those that have physical and mental disabilities and members of minority groups.” Now, in the context of good governance in Meghalaya the moot question is: Does the government follow an inclusive policy? Or is it becoming increasingly exclusive? To answer this question honestly, we need to delve into the past.
When Meghalaya was born, we had 80 per cent tribals and 20 per cent non-tribal Meghalayans. The governments in the formative years would pronounce in their official policies and documents that there would be inclusiveness in all respects. In the Governor’s Address (which is a policy statement of the government of the day) placed in the Assembly year after year, the government would categorically state that “the legitimate interest of all sections (meaning non-tribals) would be safeguarded”. This was the practice until the late nineties when this policy statement was suddenly dropped. Not that it mattered practically to the non-tribals. In any case, they were being denied their basic rights. It is also an undeniable fact that non-tribal population today has fallen to below 10 per cent because Meghalaya Government had long back decided to jettison the inclusive policies signalling that it was not prepared to treat the non-tribals fairly and equally. When you have so much of policy discrimination against ethnic groups and make them feel like pariahs, it would lead to disharmony and even racial hatred. These words may sound harsh but then is there any other way, I can tell the Meghalaya Government that your governance is so abysmal that you will find “India Today” magazine place you at the bottom of the table.
Yours etc.,
Suraj Sarma
Via email.
A subdued Puja this time
Editor,
Durga Puja festival is a fortnight away. This is one of the biggest annual public events of the town. Since 1872, this is the first time the festival will be held amid the scourge of COVID-19 pandemic. Since April last, there are already a whole lot of official restrictions in place. Going by the number of incidents of virus infection in the state, it doesn’t look like it is going to be a normal, crowed, if also somewhat noisy Durga Puja.
From what I can see, this Puja will be sans all the glitz and fanfare. Obviously, economy is in a shambles. Raising large donations will be near impossible. And on top of that there will be additional health protocols in place. Therefore, from all accounts available, it is going to be a much truncated Puja this year. Regardless of what the administration decides, I would appeal to the Puja revelers to abstain from any revelry this time. Let there not be a large movement of people on the streets. Let the celebrations be given a miss this time. Let us only perform the bare minimum rituals and prayers without attracting large presence of devotees. I appeal to the Puja committees to keep in mind the safety and security of the people at large and not just those observing Puja Let everybody seek the blessings of the Goddess to bless all of us for a COVID-free world.
Yours etc.,
SK Das,
Via email
Problem of stray dogs
Editor,
I would like to draw the attention of all concerned to the menace of stray dogs. As one enters Jhalupura area one finds huge numbers of stray dogs barking and attacking people who are passing by. These stray dogs openly defecate in the lanes and roads of Jhalupara and Barapathar. Besides these stray dogs are some rich dog owners who while they portray their passion to keep dogs in their homes, ironically take their dogs to defecate in the public lanes, probably because they want to keep their homes litter free. Where is the education of these dog lovers?
These dog owners have raised their so-called standards to transform their kutcha houses into more sophisticated and cleaner buildings but this cleaner and hygienic lifestyle is limited to their premises. They do not bother about the dirt and filth outside their gates.
The people of the area are already facing problems of garbage and open drains and this irresponsible attitude of dog owners of the area has aggravated the problems. Dog defecation creates a foul stench all over the place. The common scenario of Jhalupara is that street dogs are found everywhere but I have hardly seen this happening in other areas of Shillong which are much cleaner and calmer with a serene atmosphere. It speaks volumes about the sensitivity of the people of those areas. It doesn’t mean that I am maligning the image of the people of Jhalupara and Barapathar. I belong to this place but because of some highly insensitive and irresponsible so-called dog lovers we all are suffering. It’s high time for them to realize this nuisance and not repeat it in the future.
During this period many people have suffered from dog bites due to the proliferation of stray dogs in the area. Moreover walking on the road has become difficult in the early morning and evening hours. There is also the danger that people might be prone to accidents while they avoid the stray dogs.
Through your esteemed daily I would like to draw the attention of the Ward Members and Village Heads of Jhalupara and Barapathar to take stringent action against these people and I further request them to approach the Shillong Municipal Board asking them to take some measures to make the areas free of stray dogs.
Yours etc.,
Zaki Siddiqui,
Via email
