Shillong Jottings

A litter-free Golf Links in the works?
For years, stakeholders have been toiling to take this iconic place in Shillong called Golf Links up a notch higher than its present repute — make it litter-free. But stubborn are people, who forget their part in this; lacking civic sense, they dump wastes haphazardly across the vast green stretch of the course.

Admirably, the Shillong Golf Course stood apart on Sunday as most people remained indoors, all thanks to the ongoing lockdown. Despite appearing desolate, the aura was different with the reflection of boundless greenery having the magic of stirring bliss in one’s eyes.
On a usual Sunday, the golf course sees high footfall; kids romping about on the grass and others taking a stroll or just being sedentary.
All of this sound harmless, isn’t it? Sadly, this does not end here. By the day, the public leaves behind piles of litter which becomes an eyesore for most.
To right this wrong, measures have been put in place which also includes a government-set-up task force which oversees cleanliness and penalises litterers. Not just this, only recently, the office of the deputy commissioner had erected a signboard urging the general public not to litter.
Surprisingly, when all other steps have lagged behind, the lockdown has done a fair job in ensuring Golf Links is litter-free. So when we are out of this crisis and life returns to normal, can we care more about our surroundings?

Lockdown challenges
For the Shillongites, the current lockdown is a deja vu with a difference. This time it’s not so stringent; it has not come out of the blue catching everybody flat-footed. Everybody saw it coming. They had a little time to stockpile essentials, including precious liquor! Another striking difference is that unlike last time, volunteers of various Dorbar Shnong appear to be missing in action.
Lockdown can be a real testing time for the housewives who have to provide wholesome meals to the family. It’s a constant tight rope walk for some of them, what with uncertainty about supply and the enveloping dreadful situation. Those looking for replenishment of perishable items are able to make do with whatever is available in the locality. However, fish and fowl are in short supply, although egg is not. Putting some proteins in the daily diet is the challenge.
While most localities have made some stop-gap arrangements to meet the locality’s consumer demand, Laitumkhrah market seems to have stolen a march. Almost all essentials, except fruits, are readily available. Fish, chicken, grocery, name it, anyone can fetch from Laitumkhrah market.
For fruits, Jhalupara roadside stalls provide the sure-shot option. The challenge is to reach there!

Bundle of joy
“We are like those elderly couples in town, whose children have long left the nest and are living a humdrum pedestrian life, often bereft of companions and missing love, we suggest, you get yourselves a pet like the Shih Tzu dog. We can guarantee that your life will not be the same again!”
“A Chinese breed, Shih Tzu literary means ‘Little Lion’ which may erroneously inspire awe, but not this little sweetie pie. Shih Tzus are essentially an apartment dog, not meant to put them on a leash for an outdoor parade. This small, hairy, non-violent, often playful and at sometimes innocuously mischievous, Shih Tzus have everything for you to fall in love again. When not enjoying a siesta (and he enjoys quite a few), all he seeks is love and attention. Quite obliviously, in return he is sure to give you unfathomable joy and a new purpose in life as the darling of the family. Try it, you won’t regret having this bundle of joy!” (Contributed by a reader)

Neither fish nor flesh
How faulty masonic skills and whimsical decisions can convert an idea into a disaster! We are talking about the narrow footpath adjoining the campus of Brook-side bungalow at Rilbong (which houses the State Assembly these days).
What used to be a narrow flight of steps, much used by the residents since the days of yore, was suddenly flattened to make it possible for automobiles to ply.
The result? It has become neither fish nor flesh. Today, automobiles are unable to negotiate the narrow bends, while to their dismay the pedestrians find the gradient of the newly laid path unsuitable for a comfortable climb.
What is equally deplorable is that the vacuous execution has become counter-productive as the adjacent drain has become clogged with garbage leaving the residents in an unhealthy situation. Will the Municipal Board take action?