Editor,
Apropos to the letter ‘Unpredictable power cuts!’ by Serene Rynjah (ST Jan,10, 2022) it is very sad to say that the cuts are unavoidable. Let us be practical about the health of our power situation. In the beginning there was the 1.0 Mw got from Beadons Falls courtesy B.C Roy. In 1950,we had 75 MW from Umtrew built under the Colombo project. With these the Shillong city could be lit and remember no extra luxury items like heaters or refrigerators were used then, Then Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated the Umiam Dam in 1963 and by 1967 we could see our cities and villages around lighted ( bulbs only).The 4 stages deliver 243 MW. With coal having been struck in Jaintia Hills the Shillong population multiplied by leaps and bounds. The whole of Meghalaya was powered. Then there are 9 cement plants in our state. One consumes 118 MW per month. Add to that 4 steel plants in Byrnihat with the same power consumption, made worst by power theft. The Leshka (ROR) can deliver only 80 MW and only if the monsoon is good.
And life is more luxurious than those 60’s with fridge, microwave ovens, washing machines. power grinders etc. NEEPCO, through the riverine border law awards Meghalaya the owner of the river 6% of 275 MW, and we are contented.
So Meghalaya, and for that matter India is badly power- starved. I hate to say this but the voltage in the homes never crosses 170 volt which is 50 volt less than normal. This was pre-winter. Now with room heaters and ACs overloaded, MeECL cannot help but resort to load shedding and power rationing. Lack of vision made our Government to allow millions of cusecs of water from our reservoir to serve the Rangmen Military unit for residential quarters.
To add salt to injury, there are complexes which can light the fish ponds, whereas sad to say a villages nearby needs candles for children to study for their examinations. Unless we admit that power generation has remained stagnant since 1972 and we keep on meeting the needs of these corporates, the common domestic consumers would continue to suffer and with 170 volt at peak, the bill may treble. This is why ‘one needs to cut one’s coat according to one’s cloth’.
Yours etc.,
F.L Kharkongor
Via email
Of leaving a legacy
Editor
I read with delight the article by HH Mohrmen’s article, ‘Humans and their legacy” (ST Jan 10, 2022) and reflected on what I would leave as a legacy. Indeed each one of us has the power to live well and ensure that when we leave this earth there is something we are remembered for. I am a great fan of Neil Nongkynrih the music maestro and I am in awe of his ability to move from one genre of music to another. I have attended all the concerts held in Shillong and was held spellbound by the musical “Sohlyngem” that was staged at the Soso Than auditorium many years ago. I can’t imagine how Nongkynrih could write the musical and how he trained the members of the Choir to act out the play. It was truly magical.
Neil Nongkynrih’s life must be documented sooner than later so that posterity remembers him for his major contribution to peace, brotherhood and love. There are many talented pianists in Shillong but none can compare to Neil whose fingers I always watched on the screen projector.
On Sunday, the Shillong Chamber Choir released his song, “ Another World.” It gave me goosebumps because Neil had sung this song as if he knew he was leaving this earth. Perhaps he knew his time on this earth was soon coming to an end. I also read Glenn Kharkongor’s letter, “Who the God’s love die young.” We in Meghalaya should not only pay our tributes to Neil but also institutionalise all that he has created. The Shillong Chamber Choir is a brand and that brand should continue. For now the Choir must be feeling the pain of sudden loss but with time I am sure they will regain their composure and push ahead since we have heard that there are several projects ahead of them that need completion.
Meanwhile I pay my condolences to all the family, friends and fans of the Shillong Chamber Choir and Neil Nongkynrih. They have given us many moments of delight and joy and they have made us proud.
Yours etc.,
Andriana Lyngdoh,
Via email