Editor,
I once went on holiday with my friends to Darjeeling. We visited a park where there were horses and we could ride them around the park for Rs 10 per round. It was such a joyous time and those days have long since gone. However, I was very recently reminded of this holiday while travelling on the stretch of National Highway 6 between Jowai and Mawryngkneng, particularly the stretch between Mookyndur and Mawryngkneng. The potholes and ditches (yes ditches!) were very helpful in reminding me of riding on horseback. It was a pitiful sight to see vehicles struggling to negotiate what bit of road was left. Added to our woes was the traffic jam, undoubtedly another aftermath of the sad state of the road. Thus, the journey from Jowai to Shillong, which would normally take around an hour and a half was stretched to four hours plus.
Anyone who regularly commutes between these two important towns will attest to the fact that these traffic snarls are a regular occurrence. I would go further to state that as a regular commuter I can attest that this happens year after year. The road was in a similar condition last year but was then repaired later during the winter months only for the same repaired patches to fall apart yet again this year. If such apathy can exist for this vital lifeline of the state, what hope can we have? Shall we continue to be orphaned by this indifference and wait for some ill event to befall? I urge upon the authorities concerned to a take up the matter. In our state, our roads are our lifeline and we need to wise up and take good care of them.
Yours etc.,
Omarka Laloo,
Mynthong
Jowai
Are the Dorbar Shnong ready?
Editor,
A noted personality and Chairman of the Mawlai Town Dorbar Bah SD Khongwir has waded into an area where not much has been spoken because of the alibi of tradition that has allowed certain undemocratic principles to continue in our state. The views of Bah Khongwir have tickled the minds of many to think whether it is time to allow women and make them more participative and involved in matters of the Dorbar Shnong which are regarded as local governing grassroots institutions similar to the Panchayati Raj system or whether we should continue to remain silent in the garb of “customs and tradition”. The fact is the Dorbar Shnong have not been able to accept that women should be part of the election or decision making process and this is prevalent even in urban educated localities as well. As we go the rural areas of the state this system gets worse. Women’s voices are even more stifled
For readers and patrons of The Shillong Times, women’s empowerment also means elevating them to higher levels. The first woman to have been part of this change is one Kong Irin Diengdoh of Khlieh Iewrim who was the first Village Employment Council, Secretary to hold such position in a fiercely contested area during the primary stages of implementing the NREGS in the state and district of Jaintia Hills. I am saying this with all authority that it was during my tenure with the MRDS-IFAD project in Jaintia Hills that the Gender team led by Angela Rangad and later by Wansi Passah of the District Management Unit that played a crucial role in moulding the minds, behaviour and social characteristics of the local community into accepting this significant change. Another notable change was the holistic participation of women in the VEC committee and men were also seen encouraging this. In Jaintia Hills when Dorbar Shnongs have their annual meetings, one witnesses both women and men in the discussions and deliberations which our Khasi counterparts should take a leaf out of. This is how old tradition not in-tune with the changing times needs to move forward and women need to be part of this process. How the KHADC receives this “challenge” would be keenly watched development in the days to come.
Yours etc..
Dominic Stadlin Wankhar,
Shillong-3
Pathetic state of judicial infrastructure
Editor,
Chief Justice of India, N.V Ramana’s revelations about inadequate judicial infrastructure brings into sharp focus how one of the pillars of democracy – the judicial system, is forced to function with limited facilities. According to him almost 20% of the judicial officers in the country don’t even have proper courtrooms to sit in.
Of the 24,280 judicial officers in India, there are only 20, 143 court halls, including 620 rented premises. Discrimination against women is seen in providing basic facilities for them. 26% of the court premises have no separate toilets for women and 16% do not even have toilets. Only 54% courts have purified drinking water facility. In spite of the fact that computerization is of paramount importance for speeding up office work, only 27% of the courtrooms have computers on the judges’ dais. Notwithstanding the fact that reference books are of utmost importance in law, only 51% courts have a library.
It is a fact that inadequate infrastructure in courts makes it difficult for them to function effectively. In order to improve access to justice, good judicial infrastructure is a must. Given that people are aware of their rights and there has been overall progress in their lives, inadequate infrastructure is equal to depriving them of their rights. It must be understood that failure to deliver timely justice affects annual GDP growth. Considering that effective functioning of judicial system is essential for the progress of the country, there is an urgent need to rectify its deficiencies.
Yours etc.,
Venu GS
Kollam