Editor,
The much-awaited carving of a new district out of West Khasi Hills District has been approved by the Cabinet on November 5, 2021 and the same was announced by the Deputy Chief Minister and it has been christened as “Eastern West Khasi Hills”. The creation of this new district is welcomed by every citizen, as smaller districts lead to better administration and governance. When it comes to selection of the name, the cabinet could have done much better. “Eastern West Khasi Hills” is long and mouthful in nature and also has no sense of direction. In any indication of landmark or topography it is preferable to use the 16 cardinal points for indication. The “Eastern West Khasi Hills” make it sounds like an expectation of another new district out of West Khasi Hills (which is not likely to happen in the next 20 years). There are many options such as “North West Khasi Hills” as it is part and parcel of West Khasi Hills or “Central Khasi Hills” as it is centrally much located or simply “Mairang” District so that we could learn to get used to giving a district name without cardinal directions.
Look at our neighbouring State, Assam, which has 33 Districts and most of them are named after their then district headquarters. If cardinal directions were used it would have run out of names. Getting it right at the very beginning is very important as it is convenient for the public to promote; use it as a launch pad and also to refer and search. I strongly appeal to the Government, legislators, Local MLAs/MDCs and the people of Mairang Block and Mawthadraishan to kindly consider and review the same as the amendment can still be made before it is passed in the Assembly and a Gazette Notification is published. Let the creation of the new district be a new milestone and in the right direction.
Yours etc.,
Unsam Nongsiej,
Via email
Congress down but not out
Editor,
The MDA alliance might ride the wave created by their recent win in three assembly constituencies that went for the by-polls but the Congress will fight back and do better the next time around. The Congress has faced several elections and knows that after every defeat some of those who are not loyal to the party are purged out. Some of those who called themselves loyal party workers had contested the recent election either from the NPP or as Independent candidates. This raises questions about their loyalty to the Congress Party which they assert they have served for several years. On the contrary these are over-ambitious individuals who want to be in the Assembly without having gauged their own strength. Some of these rebel candidates might have even lost their deposits. Hence Ampareen Lyngdoh the working president of the Meghalaya Congress and VH Pala the President are both correct when they said that the rebel candidates did not really cut into the Congress vote bank. Some people have delusions of grandeur about themselves. The election results this time has hopefully taught them that what they believe about themselves and what people think of them are two different things.
Let’s also admit that the NPP and UDP are part of the present coalition and therefore have the means to buy votes. Please believe me when I say that money was spent both by all parties and even by Independent candidates but the amount mattered. And people know which party/parties have money right now. There are several methods by which opportunistic voters try to sell themselves to the contesting candidates. And the candidates also know who the influencers in their respective constituencies are. They are youth leaders, women leaders and other self-declared leaders who try and milk the candidates with the promise of bringing so many votes. Candidates and political parties look for such influencers but actually they are all big talk. It is tough to convince people to vote for anyone. Besides now most voters prefer to do a deal directly with the candidates. That way they can get more money out and favours too. I have watched several such electioneering tactics and know how things work. I wish candidates would learn to stand up and say, “I will not pay money to any voters because I am contesting to serve the people of the constituency.” But I know this is an illusion in today’s politics and that is why Meghalaya is drifting further and further away from the goals of its founders – the people who led the Hill State Movement. They must be weeping to see the direction in which this state is moving. It is not going anywhere but south.
Next year we will be observing the 50th year of Meghalaya but what we should be spending more time on is to reflect and repent. We have wasted precious time in politicking but the State has not moved forward. We have today got some of the worst representatives in the Assembly. They are there to safeguard and promote their businesses. Can we vote out such people in 2023 or is that asking too much from the good people of Meghalaya?
And as I said above the Congress must rejuvenate itself and reclaim its place in Meghalaya.
Yours etc.,
Constantine Nongkhlaw,
Via email