Editor,
The response of the Deputy Chief Minister (Dy CM) to allegations by a woman activist on the financial irregularities in disbursement of the money allocated for distressed labourers in the State is amusing and uncalled for especially when the man on the street is bleeding financially. For Meghalaya’s sake, the DY CM should have avoided using the good name of MATI because nothing worthwhile has come out of the training institute. The Dy CM could have mentioned Tata Institute of Social Sciences or Delhi School of Economics if he wants the said activist to get a lesson in public or financial administration or he could have mentioned ICFAI if he wants her to get a lesson in Accountancy. In fact, it is the people in government who need a lesson or two in good governance. Rather than beating around the bush the Dy CM should have given a straight answer and put the accusations to rest. Since the Covid crisis happened last year, many unsubstantiated accusations have been flying around regarding the mismanagement of the crisis. To be more specific, the unsubstantiated accusation was that some in the current dispensation have been milking the pandemic for personal gains. Like I said, these are unsubstantiated accusations, so the government should come out with a solid answer to dispel these unsubstantiated accusations.
Beating around the bush and engaging in a public spat with someone won’t do the government’s image and reputation much good. The government must get its act together to reduce the suffering of the common man. By common man, I mean people who live from hand to mouth. In the past couple of days, I’ve seen distressing news regarding the plight of farmers in the state. Most farmers are finding it hard to sell their agricultural produce because of the lockdown restrictions. Most farmers travel from far and wide to reach the city only to return empty-handed at the end of the day because they could not sell their agricultural produce. The government could have implemented the Minimum Support Price policy. Since the lockdown measures are in place, people do their marketing in their respective localities only. So it is the government’s duty to buy the farmer’s agricultural produce and supply them to the various localities. The government can even export such agricultural produce to our neighbouring state. The government needs the full cooperation and support of the public at the moment but it must also do its bit to reduce the sufferings of the common man.
Yours etc.,
]Gary Marbaniang,
Via email
Correction
Editor,
In my letter captioned: ‘Defeat of the BJP in West Bengal (ST 29, 2021), due to typing oversight the Battle of Vienna was mistakenly dated as 1863 instead of the actual year 1683. The unintended error is regretted.
Yours etc.
Jerome K Diengdoh,
Via email
Keeping negativity at a distance
Editor,
Right communication is indispensable to make us alert and prepared to counter any catastrophic challenges. In the case of a global health pandemic, it has assumed still greater significance. An American researcher and the writer of “The Great Influenza” had asserted — “In the next influenza pandemic, be it now or in the future, be the virus mild or virulent, the single most important weapon against the disease will be a vaccine. The second most important will be communication.” Of course, in times of uncertainty, people naturally rely more on the media than any other sources. It is therefore unbecoming when the e-media prioritizes increasing TRP by creating a sort of fear psychosis leading to distress among the masses.
Today, when we switch on the TV channels for news, the same incidents of gloom and doom are repeated. The style and manner in which incidents and cases are portrayed are heart-rending. Frankly speaking, in the upsurge of hysteria and the sense of fear spread by some electronic media, the nation is reaping the whirlwind. Such TRPs earned at the steep price of “mental health and immunity” are totally uncalled for. Needless to say, the continuous coverage of fearsome news obviously raises feelings of anxiety and depression. It adversely affects one’s ability to “ward off infections” as it results in rapid drop in immunity dropping. Many people have died of suicide as they are overwhelmed by intense fear and depression. Senior journalist, Patricia Mukhim has aptly remarked in her recent Friday article — “The pandemic has also laid bare the importance of mental health of the patient and his/her relatives. Every Covid patient is fearful of what might happen. Those with more complications wonder if they will come out alive.”
Hence, let’s all make a conscious effort to stay away from negativity in the larger interest of our health and well-being. In the light of the present crises Dr Anjali Chhabria, a Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist, has also strictly warned, “When you’re going through Covid, it’s better to stay away from negative news. Keep yourself relaxed because your immunity depends on your emotional health.” Therefore, in our fight against the virulent virus, we should be extra careful that our mindset is not overpowered by negative forces. Positivism and optimism in our thought process alone contribute to boosting the strength of our immunity and mind. So, nothing is better than keeping negativity at a distance as we have learned to keep physical distance. Let’s firmly believe there is light at end of the tunnel.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong
Additional electric crematorium urgently needed
Editor,
The existing electric crematorium at Jhalupara is the only modern crematorium available for people of Shillong City and its suburbs. In this crematorium, corpses are brought from distant places for cremation. This electric crematorium is a decade old. Due to overuse and wear and tear, it breaks down very often. Sometimes it takes days together to repair it. During this period people face great problems in disposing of the mortal remains of their near and dear ones. The family members of the deceased are then forced to use the cremation ghat at Mawbah (Barapathar) where firewood is used. Even when the electric crematorium is functional, it is reserved up to 2 pm for incinerating hospital wastes, since last year, as per the Govt order. So, the bereaved families who have to cremate the dead body of their deceased member by tradition/custom are made to wait very long. It usually takes a minimum of two and half hours for a body to be fully cremated in the electric crematorium. The waiting becomes longer when there are already two or more dead bodies waiting in the queue.
The scenario in the cremation ghat is not problem-free either. A lot of wood is required for setting up a single pyre for cremating a body. Firewood is not only scarce but expensive too. The cost of cremating a body is not less than Rs 5000. Poor families find it difficult to meet this huge expenditure.
From the above facts, it can be seen that the disposal of dead bodies by cremation is an arduous task in Shillong. The problem is exacerbated during this pandemic. The Greater Shillong Crematorium and Mortuary Society may, therefore approach the concerned authorities for providing an additional electric crematorium in the existing location. This is an inescapable necessity for the people of Shillong considering the increase in population and above all the scarcity of firewood.
I expect more rejoinders to this letter to alert the authorities to this critical public need. Besides the bereaved families, the disposal of dead bodies is also a state responsibility.
Yours etc.,
Krishna Chettri,
Shillong- 2