The fall is here
As we draw closer to October and the beginning of the festive season, Shillongites have been experiencing a slight chill in the air in the evening hours – an unmistakable sign that winter is near.
The weather has been playing hide and seek with spells of shower and bright weather competing against each other almost daily.
The bountiful precipitation has covered the landscape in an emerald envelope and the charming weather beckons one to come out of the house to admire the show nature has put up.
This is the time of the year when the trunks and cabinets will open up once again for the winter stock of woollens to take the centre stage.
As the days go by, the green will pave way for the brown to take over and the mercury will begin its downward slide.
It is likely that the pandemic will dilute some of the festive spirit this time like last year with protocols being the order of the day, but the spirit of winter will only grow stronger in the hearts and hearths of every Shillongite.
Travel plans on
With COVID-19 restrictions taking a back seat, leisure trips and outdoor activities have skyrocketed as Shillongites from across the city are making plans to visit at least one of the 
tourist destinations in the state in the upcoming days.
Youths in particular are upbeat about the easing of curbs as single-day leisure trips, especially weekend bike rides, are happening in a gush in recent weeks and the city too is abuzz with people.
Every weekend you will see young boys and girls make their way towards Upper Shillong, Umiam or Smit — the three ways towards most of the tourist destinations. And you will find that majority of these youngsters seemingly consumed by wanderlust have taken at least one shot of their vaccine doses.
A visit to a resort in Ri Bhoi recently revealed that most of the young people arriving there from Shillong are vaccinated against COVID, at least partially. Vaccinations work; this is what they are finding out it appears.
Moreover, many have plans afoot to travel to Guwahati or even other states after they take their second jab of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccination, in recent days, has been played up in the entire nation since being distraught due to the pandemic. After widespread advocacy of vaccination, a sizeable population has been inoculated and people apparently are starting to understand and are even reaping its benefits, if it can be called that.
Traffic privilege
The city roads have been bustling of late with vehicles crowding every inch of the tarmac during the day. Endless beelines of vehicles, especially during peak hours, can be seen in major parts of Shillong and scores of people are complaining or at least talking about this.
But perhaps movement of VIP vehicles during this time has added fuel to the fire with commuters looking a bit nonplussed.
While vehicles are stuck in traffic jam, a VIP’s vehicle whooshes past the commuters wailing its siren. The packed road was all of a sudden cleared out to form a non-existent lane for the car to pass.
One of the commuters, who had to make way for this VIP car to pass, recalls, “I was coming from Barik point towards Civil Hospital, but a VIP car with the siren on alerting other vehicles to make way for it was taking over every other car on the road with ease as others had to squeeze to the corner”.
One must bear in mind that this stretch — from Barik point till Civil Hospital — is one of the most crowded roads in the city, especially during the end of work hours i.e. 5-6 pm.
“After reaching Civil Hospital gate near the PWD office, the VIP car took a right turn (which indicates that a vehicle is headed towards Khyndai Lad) and then took a left turn and made way towards Rhino point, which was a wrong move. But because it was a minister’s car, it drove on smoothly,” the commuter elaborated.
Commuters are already too competitive on the road i.e. most of the drivers are resolute to not give a fellow driver a pass, and the VIP cars driving on the wrong side is only going to evoke strong sentiments within the commoners and even risk the chance of an accident with such stunts.