Editor,
The manner in which districts are created in Meghalaya has always been politically motivated. Mairang has become a district because its MLA, true to his name (Metbah Lyngdoh) is a giant among politicians and has the clout to get the MDA Government to kowtow to his demands. Of course the people of Mairang will be beneficiaries of this largesse and Metbah Lyngdoh is unlikely to ever lose another election henceforth. But the mere creation of a district will only create so many jobs. Not all the eligible youth will be absorbed in government service otherwise the state will go bankrupt paying salaries only to the few privileged government employees. Five districts have been created in Garo Hills but their condition remains pathetic when one looks at the roads and bridges, many of which sorely need repair but are left neglected.
Now there are seven districts in Khasi-Jaintia Hills. Mark my words there will be a demand for one more district in Garo Hills to balance the equations. What is the purpose of creating a district if that district is going to be left unattended and its roads and infrastructure are in a shambles. South Garo Hills was neglected for a long time after it was named a district. I wonder if things are better there today. There has to be a vision as to why a district is created. Is it really needed to expand government facilities to the residents? Will that district suddenly discover its potentials and will it have better healthcare infrastructure and educational institutions? Will people then have better nutritional status? Can someone please explain the criteria for creating a district?
Yours etc.,
W. Pyngrope,
Via email
Confusion worst confounded
Editor,
The desire of a large populace to be part of varied changes in the state is indeed a welcome step and the people of Mairang have shown the right way by demanding and district and being patient with their dreams. However, this dream has not materialized without getting entangled in a series of naming and determining the right name for the new upcoming district. From the geographical point of view Mairang is pointed as 25.57 degree North and 91.63 degree East at an elevation of 5131 feet above sea level but the way it has been taken and put out as “Eastern West” defies all geographical argument that only “geniuses” in the State secretariat could be able to explain to academicians.
Yours etc.,
Dominic Stadlin Wankhar,
Shillong
English a destitute language
Editor,
Well, Meghalaya is all set to have a new district. Some say it’s just a political gimmick to fool the people to earn some extra votes. (As if such a thing is something new, novel and unique that has just been discovered and needs to be advertised! Truth is it happens all the time; all of us are party to such gullibility and it’s weird because none of us dare admit we are active and willing suckers to this political con game).Others say the creation of the new district will bring administration and governance closer to the people. Well 70 years down the line after Independence this claim has yet to prove itself, so none of us are the wiser to such political claims. Some who are really desperate for a livelihood claim that a new district will bring in more jobs. If the desperation for Government jobs has reached such levels that we lose sight of the cost benefit ratio of such actions, then there is nothing much more to be said, is there?
Now aside from the above groups of citizens with their varied views on the new district of Meghalaya, there is another group with an altogether different concern over the creation of the proposed Eastern West Khasi Hills District. English teachers and professors from various educational institutions of the state recently had an urgent meeting to discuss and resolve on the proposed name for the new district and its impact on the English language. The consensus that emerged from this meeting is that English, in the light of naming the new district of Meghalaya, continues to remain a poor Universal language that still requires enrichment with new words with new meanings. Students of English and rationalists should therefore welcome this new contradiction in direction known as Eastern West of something. It’s like saying the front of my rear! The meeting concluded with the resolve to write to Oxford and Cambridge to include the turn of phrase ‘Eastern West’ in their definition of utter unadulterated nonsense.
Yours etc.,
Toki Blah,
Via email
Honest people still exist!
Editor!
With a deep sense of gratitude I would like to place before the people of Shillong that honest people do exist in our city. These days, we come across incidents almost on a daily basis where a number of robberies occur, especially theft of mobile phones, particularly from senior citizens across the country. However, I have an exciting incident to narrate to the people of Shillong. We have such wonderful and honest people in our city. I lost my new mobile phone on November 8 and I could not trace it. To my utter surprise and delight the driver of the Maximo mini van bearing no. ML 01 7086, Bah Barius Nongphud, a father of three little children brought the phone to my residence and handed it over to me. I have no words to express my heartfelt gratitude to this young driver and I salute him for his honesty.Wish we could see more such faithful and honest people in our city.
Yours etc.,
Dr. K. Thomas
Gospel Clinic, Itshyrwat
Shillong 22