The spitting syndrome
On any given day, the young men with green shirts emblazoned with the words Team Jiva are seen either weeding, watering the flowers or cleaning up the drains around Police Bazar area and other parts of the city. While Team Jiva spend their time and energy to maintain the cleanliness and beauty of this city, especially the Police Bazar area, they are very disheartened by the people who unscrupulously spit on the whitewashed areas where the plants are grown.
Jiwat Vaswani, speaking to the SJ team, said that Shillong cannot be kept clean unless people take responsibility and become stakeholders
in the cleaning process. Every shop owner in Police Bazar or for that matter any other place has the responsibility to keep track of who the polluters are and to fine them.
Only a fine will be able to deter people from spitting around carelessly.
At the height of the COVID-19 infection, the government had stated in the protocols that spitting is a punishable offence because of its potential to spread the virus, but, many don’t seem to understand this basic logic.
In India, people chew betel nut and betel leaf and feel that they own every space and so they can spit wherever they want even if doing so defaces the clean walls.
It is time the government takes strict cognisance of this character flaw of the people and do so by imposing heavy fines.
Demand and Supply
As early as in October, Shillongites got early signs of meandering winter season. Rather prematurely, mercury column began to read in single digit on the lower side, while the max read below one score. Woolies and winter garments are already out of the closets. For certain, people on the streets require some cover in the evenings. However, some of the inseparable parts of winter like oranges, chapped lips and freezing tap water are yet to show up. Also missing in the list are the ‘dhunkars’ (those who stitch cotton-stuffed quilts). Gone are the days when dhunkars would announce their presence by the familiar sound of their long-stringed implement used for beating the cotton lumps to turn them into a fluffy mass. In a matter of hours, their expertise would create a comfort giving quilt that would easily last a few seasons.
If anybody is wondering why the ‘dhunkars’ are missing in action this season, the answer has to be Demand and Supply. These days, the not-so-rich Shillongites, too, seem to find it a lot more convenient to get hold of an acrylic quilt. Small wonder then, the road-side stalls at the entire stretch of busy Police Bazar is flooded with colourful acrylic quilts. Quite visibly these stalls are doing a brisk business. Looks like the ‘dhunkars’ are going to become an endangered species, at least in Shillong!
Light it up!
Diwali is around the corner and it is only few days until we see many a house decorated and lit up, but fervour seems to have already set in as many buildings were illuminated this Sunday with hues of colours emanating from the vine lights put up on the walls outside.
Some, who are enthusiasts, are apparently prepared way before the festival has set its foot in, but for many the present is invested in preparing — from inviting guests to buying accessories and groceries, etc.
One of the most important aspects of this festival is decoration. People mostly prefer decorating with as much colour and lights as possible. However, flower garlands, wall hangings and lights are beautiful additions to your decoration.
Then there are lamps, earthen lamps in particular. According to tradition, small oil lamps, known as ‘diyas’, are lit and placed around the home during the evening.
It is said that ‘diyas’ symbolise inner light or knowledge, and also perceived as a force that fighs any trace of darkness.
The generic activities include making sweets, snacks and savouries, which are often given as gifts, too.
Lastly, games along with the aforementioned activities can become an interesting combination, which have delighted people for years celebrating Diwali.
Children, on the other hand, are looking forward to bursting crackers and, of course, steer clear of studies for some time as is tradition.