Editor,
I want to congratulate my known friend Albert Thyrniang for his splendid article, ” Reading the Mukul – Pala Conflict” (ST October 6, 2021). I am sure fellow readers got further enlightened about the personal hidden ambitious political agenda that both these two Congress bigwigs play to outwit one another. Though Albert Thyrniang, the writer, is not the subject here, he is known for his all-round incisive analysis on any subject that he writes and he does not delight in superfluous verbosity and expressions. But he loves brevity in message delivery.
If we are to believe the media that at the instance of the Congress High Command Dr Mukul Sangma and Vincent Pala have sunk their differences and discord then let them prove that through their actions on the ground between now and 2023. For now, let us watch and see the drama that will unfold soon in the run up to the game of thrones in our state between them.
It is a fact that the political cum business rivalry between Mukul and Pala will not go away easily. Politically Mukul has a sizeable following not only in Garo Hills but also in Khasi and Jaintia Hills as well. After all, he was the cabinet minister for long years and Chief Minister for nearly eight years and possesses vast experience in state administration. He knows by heart every nook and corner of administration, policy and programme. However, Pala too cannot be underestimated in the political arena because he is the third time MP and a Union Minister of State for a brief period. He is quite popular in Khasi and Jaintia Hills but he is yet to prove himself in the Garo Hills. He is quite acceptable among the political spectrum in Khasi-Jaintia Hills but not yet in Garo Hills. Moreover, he has no experience in running a state government unlike Dr Mukul. He and his coal baron colleagues and other business magnates might have been instrumental in the making and unmaking of governments in the past in Meghalaya but to run the state government as CM is a different ball game though money is the enabler.
As far as wealth is concerned both Dr. Mukul and Pala are comparable. In strategies and diplomacy too both are comparable. On public relations this varies from person to person but Pala has a better PR according to the general public. But on cunningness, craftiness, wittiness and egocentricity, Dr Mukul is far ahead of Pala. However, if Pala, Mukul and their cohorts combine and stay united within the Congress, it will be a formidable force to be reckoned with by other political rivals.
If we judge the political situation that prevails now, the mood of the people is inclined towards the Congress. But if the Congress top leaders, especially the Pala lobby and the Mukul lobby, are at loggerheads the people’s blessings will reluctantly go towards the NPP, though the NPP led MDA government has performed miserably so far.
Amidst the gloom of this worthless MDA government, the UDP could not make political capital out of this aimless and directionless government. Being in the government, it should have exploited the situation to the hilt for its political gains to enable it to spread out its potential regional force to enhance its tentacles not only in Khasi and Jaintia Hills but to pluck the empty cracks and crevices in the Garo Hills. For doing so the leaders of UDP should not only be Khasi Jaintia centric but should reach out towards Garo Hills which needs healing a touch from penury of leadership, the drudgery of poverty, absolute neglect and exploitation to the core. For this the Party must be dedicated and work hard and be backed by resources and be committed and ready to shell out even from its pockets and also from the accumulated wealth of its leaders.
How many UDP leaders ever thought that (late) B B Lyngdoh and his former colleagues from Khasi hills had travelled the length and breadth of Garo Hills, made friends with the people there, enrolled members into APHLC/HPU/UDP and selected many of them to contest elections and then inducted some of them into the cabinet then. They did that with love and mutual understanding and they got much respect and love. They were humble; they did not have much money then but they were accepted widely, welcomed everywhere and never went hungry. They got the best accommodation that the people there could afford. Yes, to you UDP leaders and members including the President, give your 100%; be committed party workers, always give up your comfort zones and people will respect and accept you wherever you go. Perhaps someday you will see people will embrace and flock to you. But with a cold attitude, narrow outlook and stingy hearts the party will not reach far. Yes, you can do it, if you will.
About other smaller regional parties, the lesser said the better. They come and go like shooting stars. They have not ploughed anywhere so from where will they reap?
Yours etc.,
Philip Marwein,
Senior Journalist,
Via email
Bumpy road ahead for NEHU
Editor,
In recent memory, not a single day would have passed with NEHU not being in the news. This brings into question the public perception of the university when we talk about the NIRF rankings methodology in which there has been a gargantuan drop for the university. And does this vindicate the fact that NEHU is actually performing well, and the frequent coterie who have been the disruptive forces from time immemorial have suddenly grown all silent? Absolutely not! To give you an example, my brother passed out from this University last year and the marksheets for the same were only issued after almost a year. This brings to light the fact that a premier institute like NEHU does not have the infrastructure and capacity to print out an A4 sheet paper advocating the provincial degree of a pupil! And, to make matters worse, when we had a distinguished and intellectually competent professor being the frontrunner for the top job that was brazenly overlooked and a person was sent in with zero knowledge of tribal ethos and sentiments to handle such a large university. Two and a half months have passed since we the stakeholders had looked for the new regime, to bring in some changes but what do we get? The only thing which is visible in campus is the daily cutting of grass which had earlier provided a much needed succour from the vile pollution of the city whenever we visited the University. I hope the new VC being an Agriculture graduate realises that ecosystems are the need of the hour and what the University actually needs is academics inputs, motivational and dynamic officers, respected and thought provoking lecturers instead of guest lecturers, timely promotions for those who deserve it and last but not the least, meaningful visits to Delhi and elsewhere to bring in new ideas and funds for the University than just official leave. I hope the stakeholders gain some insight as to what is expected from the new regime.
Yours etc.,
Arwatki Suting,
Via email