Editor,
All the market areas of Shillong whether it be Laitumkhrah, Police Bazar or Bara Bazar (Iewduh) are so crowded that physical distancing of six feet (two yards) as proposed by Amitabh Bachchan in the BSNL ringtone is impossible. Not only are people violating social distancing norms but many are not even wearing masks any longer. Some wear then to cover their chin which as good as not wearing the mask at all. It’s true that we are all tired of this pandemic and are cocking a snook at it but that has consequences which we may not be able to handle. The pandemic is a public health challenge and if we care to watch the international news and not be glued only to the local or Indian TV news then we would have heard of the third Covid wave in Italy and other European countries and the spiralling death toll.
Yesterday, while walking past a bank in Jaiaw I saw a long line of school girls dressed in their uniform queuing in front of the bank, perhaps to pay their school or examination fees. They were all huddled together. No distancing was observed. This is very troubling because we are approaching winter and the Covid virus like the other corona-viruses tends to peak during the cold winter months. We cannot let our guards down. But then who do we talk to when the educated and aware citizenry are the ones violating all protocols. And I am sure that as Christmas approaches all the protocols will be thrown to the winds. It really is a sad state of affairs and sadder because those most vulnerable will suffer the consequences. Also I am not sure that policing will help. It’s an attitudinal change that we have to adapt to but we won’t. Perhaps big fines for those not wearing masks might help. But as far as social distancing is concerned, this city and its footpaths are too congested for anyone to be able to distance oneself from another human.
Yours etc.,
AR Marbaniang,
Via email
Virtual ILP & Meghalaya
Editor,
Your newspaper has been using the word “virtual ILP”, leaving it to the readers to decipher what it means. It is only now that I comprehend the meaning of the word ‘virtual.’ It means ‘almost or nearly as described, but not completely or according to strict definition.’ The entry and exit points at different places in Meghalaya such as Byrnihat or Ratacherra are meant to ascertain the identity of every person entering the State. Isn’t that the intent of the ILP too? So, how many instruments/mechanisms are going to be used to decide who can and who cannot enter Meghalaya? The argument that the same happens in Sikkim or the other ILP states does not wash. Meghalaya cannot and should not compare itself with the other states which do not even have an IIM or IIT. The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Mizoram campus has hardly any students from outside. Most students opt for IIMC Delhi because of its cosmopolitan nature. Someone the other day had written a satire that all institutions of national importance should shift out of Meghalaya so that the purity of the indigenous people is ‘preserved.’ I thought only dead animals and picked fruits are preserved for eating purposes. And amongst the protestors, I wonder how many are educated enough to know what cause they are supporting or whether they are simply being led by demagogues whose aim is to fight the next elections. Once elected, they will follow their own paths, which is not always in the interest of the people. We don’t have to look too far. Meghalaya is replete with examples of self-declared leaders who first pretended to serve people as activists by creating a fear psychosis. Then they either joined political parties or formed new ones. They then won elections because they promised the moon. Once elected, they got busy serving their own interests. So for how long will the voters of this state be led like dumb cattle? How can educated, intelligent people not understand this modus operandi? Why are they silent and complicit in all of this?
Yours etc.,
D Khonglah,
Via email
Recalcitrant GPO clerk
Editor,
Counter No. 1 at GPO (General Post Office), Shillong is different from the numerous other counters operating adjacent to it. There the clerk comes after 11 o’clock everyday caring two hoots for the queuing customers. It seems that this recalcitrant clerk has made it a habit to come at her own whim and fancy, as if, the GPO’s office timing is meant for the other mortals alone. After arriving she goes roaming inside and even enquiring whereabouts of her co-counters. Next she turns on her computer – which takes another fifteen minutes or so until she resumes her work by 11:30- 11.45 am. This same counter till last month was located just next to the main entrance to the GPO hall and manned by a physically challenged lady known for her efficiency and speed of work. She used to come and open her counter right on time, despite her challenges, and execute customers’ queries with visible agility. Customers like us acknowledge her good work. However, those days are gone now with the relocation of the counter alongside to the long row of counters on the opposite side. Now, the current counter clerk being fit and fine, in comparison with her predecessor, is running her late show with impunity. On several occasion many standing at the queue had to leave without their job done since the clerk hadn’t arrived until 11.00 am and they had to rush to their workplaces. The Senior Superintendent of Posts (SSP) upstairs should sometimes drop in at the main hall and see if the affairs, under him, are going on well for the visiting customers. The SSP should immediately bring back the earlier clerk at Counter No. 1 to rescue the queuing customers.
Yours etc.
BC Paul,
Shillong – 4