Editor,
Year after year the Government notifies that crackers especially the loud and thundering ones would be banned but such notifications have no effect. People are deaf and blind to such notifications knowing fully well that they are only paper tigers and that in Meghalaya no one really cares a hoot about such government orders. They are brought out as a matter of routine and there’s no one to implement such orders on the ground because ultimately it is left to an overworked police force. The police today have to check cars without curfew passes; check people who don’t wear masks; check crowding; check traffic jams and once in a while also try and catch thieves. Since Meghalaya boasts of robust grassroots institution – the Dorbar Shnong, why not make it incumbent on them to appeal to their residents to be more responsible and to fine those that violate the appeal. Dorbars should police their own localities for law breakers! It is already well known that the Coronavirus (Covid19) can cause breathing difficulties, especially for those that have contacted the virus and have healed. Their lungs, we are told continue to take time to heal from the pneumonia and they therefore need clean, fresh air.
I don’t believe that crackers are associated with any kind of worship. We light diyas and candles to bring in the real spirit of the Festival of Lights. We do not celebrate a festival of noise. How can this be drummed into people’s heads and why are they adamant about creating both noise and fumes even during this pandemic. We would have thought that the pandemic would have brought down the arrogance of those with money to burn (burning crackers worth thousands of rupees is burning money) but that’s not the case. We have been hearing loud noises from certain localities. God forbid if those localities have Covid patients that are convalescing from their illnesses.
As an old resident of Shillong, I appeal to all those observing Diwali to take a call not to pollute this beautiful city with noise and toxic fumes. Lets us respect this earth and this place that sustains our lives. It’s the least we can do.
Yours etc.,
SR Roy,
Via email
When will Govt remove Byrnihat entry point?
Editor,
Apropos the news, “CM warns against harassment of citizens at entry points”, (ST, Nov 13, 2020) can the Chief Minister, Conrad Sangma say by when the Government of Meghalaya is going to remove the entry point / check-gate at Byrnihat in Ri Bhoi district? Meghalaya is the only state in the country and perhaps in the world where we still have a check-gate when the entire country and the world are switching back to normalcy. Nagaland was the first state in this region to remove such entry-points and other states followed suit. This check-gate at Byrnihat has become more of a harassment outlet on the Guwahati – Shillong highway due to which the Chief Minister himself had to warn against harassment of citizens at entry points, this Thursday. It is indeed weird to see such a check-gate functioning when the state government has opened every other sectors of the state economy. Whereas it seems that the upcoming entry and exit point at Umling is going to be an indirect implementation of ILP in the state, which may well go for judicial scrutiny given the tendency of those who are going to man it. One really wonders how there can be such mechanisms in place in today’s world. The primitive mindset of the people has to change for good since. The fear psychosis has to end and people must accept that the world is not an island. Without interface with the outside world no state can survive. So let Meghalaya learn that.
Yours etc.
BC Paul
Shillong – 4
Flooring the Government
Editor,
It was an interesting week to watch the Assembly proceedings and to listen to and observe the actions, arguments and counter arguments from both the ruling and the opposition benches. Both had displayed tact and strategies to corner one another which is the beauty of the Assembly session which grants democratic rights to the Opposition to question every department of the Government. The Opposition had brought out startling issues of corruption and illegalities which the ruling party found difficult to defend. It is worth noting that the Opposition this time is better prepared, more articulate and poised and more in control of the situation than the ruling side. They are able to hold this current coalition Government accountable for its acts of omissions and commission. We do need a strong Opposition to keep democracy alive and kicking.
Yours etc.
Dominic Stadlin Wankhar
Shillong-3
Assembly antics
Editor,
Like the Cabinet on the Move mooted by the MDA Government, these days nearly all of us can watch the Assembly on the move on our mobile phones because the proceedings are live-streamed. Those sitting in their offices can watch the debates especially when certain contentious issues are brought to the attention of the House. I watched the heated exchange between Saleng Sangma of the ruling side and Zenith Sangma of the Opposition and could not believe what I heard being spewed out by the former to counter the allegations of the latter about the law and order situation in Meghalaya. Unprintable language was used by Saleng Sangma which is not expected of an elected member of the Assembly.
The rule of the game is that issues have to be debated in a spirit of bonhomie and without losing one’s cool. Why is Saleng Sangma in such an overdrive to defend the MDA Government? Does he want the Opposition to simply swallow everything the Government claims it has done but which actually is left undone? On the Covid spending, the people of Meghalaya want to know where this amount has gone and how it was utilised. We heard of ASHA workers being given raincoats in lieu of PPEs and that despite their heavy duties during the pandemic they are still paid a very meagre salary. These humble workers need to be paid better because they are also frontline workers who are exposed as they have to go from home to home to track out Covid patients.
Sadly we did not hear much discussions in the Assembly about educations and how students are coping in the pandemic. All that was discussed was teacher’s salaries. I am not saying that this is not important but what about students as a constituency? We want to hear more informed debates in the Assembly and even if there are fireworks let there not be “unparliamentary” language used. These days with the smart phones at our disposal, things can go viral very quickly. Kudos to all those legislators from the Opposition who did their “homework” thoroughly. They deserve our respect and gratitude.
Yours etc.,
TK Passah
Via email
Sardar Patel remembered
Editor,
Prime Minister Modi paid rich tributes to Sardar Vallabhai Patel on his birth anniversary at the place where the World’s tallest statue – the Statue of Unity of Sardar Patel stood tall, shooting high unto the blue sky hovering over the serene blue lake of Kevadiya.
The statue was constructed by Chinese engineers and their rank and file at the cost of Rs 3000 crores. It is copper- jacketed to fight rusting. Those were the happy peaceful era of Chini – Hindi Bhai Bhai. The Statue of Unity depicts the gratitude of all Indians for the extreme sacrifice of Sardar Patel in his fight against British colonialism under the Satyagrahi, M.K Gandhi who was assassinated in January 1949. For Meghalayans, Sardar Patel had played a major role in the matter of Accession of Khasi states to the Indian Union.
He took part in the sub Advisory Committee meeting held at Shillong on June 10, 1947, 2 months and 5 days before Independence to listen to the views of those led by Rev JJM Nichols Roy. Rev Roy wished to be clubbed with India and not East Pakistan. On the other hand the other party comprised the native chiefs whose powers and rights had been severely eroded by the British.
I don’t understand why U Wycliffe Syiem did not continue his resistance to anything that endangered the Syiemship. Be that as it may, one can never be disappointed with Rev Nichols Roy. It was 1947 and we could not have expected our leaders, however patriotic they may be, to have a telescopic eyesight into 2020. Let us not lose sight of Sir Winston Churchill’s fears conveyed to one contemporary historian Mr Hussain of possible invasion from the North. And only 15 years later the fear of Churchill was right in front of our eyes. So let us not dabble in history but rather reconcile to our fates as a tiny tribe.
Yours etc.,
Manbha Diengdoh,
Via emai