Editor,
The world recorded more than two million daily Covid-19 cases on average between 1st and 7th January 2022. India saw a single-day rise of 1.59 lakhs new coronavirus cases, raising the tally to 3,55,28,004, which included 3,623 cases of Omicron variant reported across 27 states and union territories. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on everyone. It has disproportionately affected some groups due to their more vulnerable socio-economic and health status.
Governments around the world have introduced restrictions and ramped up vaccination and other urgent measures to curb its spread to safeguard public health. They are acting to defend the human rights of health and of life itself. Inevitably, these measures limit our human and fundamental rights to an extent rarely experienced in peacetime. It is important to ensure that such limitations are consistent with our legal safeguards and that their impact on a particular section of society is adequately taken into account. Individuals and certain groups have voiced their opposition to the Covid-19 restrictions and vaccination and termed it unconstitutional and infringement of fundamental rights.
Yes, it can be concluded that imposing lockdown and other restrictions violate the fundamental rights of citizens of our country but on the other hand, it is only to protect the citizens of our country from the spreading of the Coronavirus. Absolute individual rights cannot be guaranteed by any modern State. The freedom is limited by our Constitution itself, by conferring upon the ‘State’ a power to impose by its laws reasonable restrictions as may be necessary for the larger interest of the community.
Yours etc.,
Dr Omarlin Kyndiah,
Via email
Why selective condemnation?
Editor
Apropos to the letter by Dominic Stadlin Wankhar (ST 7, 2022) which highlighted the dangers of communalism and social disorder taking place in the state especially in a peaceful town like Shillong is most appropriate. The writer has rightly criticized the members of some groups who came out in protest on the alleged idol vandalism but the same people chose to remain silent when incidents of churches being attacked and attacks on Christians taking place were reported. When any untoward incident happens it should be squarely condemned without taking sides and without being hypocrites. Any act of vandalism needs to be condemned and such elements who tend to disturb social peace need to be dealt with according to the law.
Yours etc.,
Vivian C. Wahlang
Shillong -8
Barking dogs seldom bite!
Editor,
We have for the umpteenth times been hearing our Government boasting that the residents of Them Metor will be relocated to their new government settlement areas. However, to date it seems that the issue is hanging fire indefinitely and paradoxically, it appears that the festering indecision shall before long be dumped into a waste paper basket.
Conversely, just before the last bye elections to the three seats of Meghalaya State Legislative Assembly, if my memory serves me aright , it was reported that our Chief Minister had asserted that the residents of Them Metor will definitely be shifted in a few day’s time, but the assertion was seemingly to make us live in a fool’s paradise, not an action oriented statement . In contrast, in my incidental walk in and around the periphery of the Them Metor, I could palpably feel that those residents, bona-fide or otherwise, are blissfully making light of the Government crying wolf as perhaps they are already aware of the time tested idiom:” Empty vessel sound the most,” or better still, “Barking dogs seldom bite.”
Yours etc.,
Jerome K Diengdoh,
Shillong – 2
Unpredictable power cuts!
Editor,
As we try to beat the chilly winter of Shillong, we all know it would not be complete without the unpredictable power cuts. Frequently, we would get the ‘Shut Down’ notices about the six hours of power cuts for “maintenance work.” While I understand the need to have these power cuts now and again the unpredictability has become a daily struggle for students and individuals who are working from home. A supplementary struggle is that with the loss of electricity comes the loss of cellular network as well.
As Omicron looms over us, many schools and colleges in the country have switched back to the online mode of learning. Students sit for their classes and exams with the fear that they might lose connectivity any minute.
This is a sincere request to the Power Corporation to take into consideration that not everyone in the city can afford an inverter battery to compensate for the inadequacy in its performance.
Yours etc.,
Serene Rynjah
Via email
Political parties gearing up for 2024!
Editor,
The upcoming elections to the five states pose a tough test not just for the two national parties- the BJP and Congress but parties like the SP, TMC and AAP too. The BJP is in power in four of the five states and the elections are the first test for the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the BJP government revoked the three controversial farm laws to stem growing discontent among a large section of farmers. The elections will have an impact on the opposition camp too as the AAP, TMC and SP have conducted intensive campaign. The Congress considered to be the spearhead of the opposition campaign, now faces questions over its place in the opposition. Political experts are of the opinion that the election results may lead to a realignment in the opposition politics.
The BJP is in power in UP, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa. In Punjab, where the farmers’ agitation was most intense, the party wants to show its strength. Punjab elections are very important for the Congress too. It will determine the existence of the party in the face of severe challenges from the AAP and the BJP. It needs to return to power in Punjab. It has to prove its strength in other states too to remain relevant. This apart, Priyanka Gandhi needs to prove her leadership skills by putting up brilliant performances in Punjab and UP. The SP and AAP have been mounting vigorous campaigns and drawing crowds in UP and Punjab respectively. The recent political conflict between the BJP and Congress over the security breach during Modi’s visit to Punjab adds another dimension to the elections in the state. In Goa, the BJP is facing challenges from the Congress, AAP and TMC.
Political experts believe that several political issues will have an impact on this election. It will set the political narrative in the country for the next general elections.
Yours etc.,
Venu G S.
Kollam