Editor,
It is indeed very satisfying to see our Honorable Chief Minister visiting and encouraging localities to keep their surroundings clean. This am sure will motivate many more localities and hopefully bring about a sense of pride in one’s own locality. While this is happening, it would be sensible to also look at the safety of travelling within the Town of Shillong. Shillong, I must say holds the record of having hundreds of speed breaker crisscrossing the town. Sadly, none of these speed breakers are ever painted and this poses a huge threat to even an alert driver driving well within the speed limits for one simply cannot see them. Maybe the Honorable Chief Minister might want to allocate a minimal amount to either the department concerned or localities to ensure that the speed breakers are painted. This I feel would also satisfy a criteria under the Smart Cities program and Road Safety.
Yours etc.,
KM Pala
Resident of Shillong
Via email
Jowai’s garbage issue
Editor,
While there are pressing issues hitting the news lately, I would like to highlight another issue in this esteemed daily that needs immediate attention; the ever-growing pile of garbage in Jowai Town. As I write this letter, a huge pile of garbage is accumulated at the hub of Jowai. Specifically, one small mountain of garbage is lying adjacent to the DC’s office in Iawmusiang and another right across from the prestigious Thomas Jones Synod College, besides other areas. This is due to the unavailability of a proper dumping ground. As a layman, the only solution I know, is to rely on my individual effort to segregate waste and dispose it properly. Although this is worthwhile, it is however time-consuming and right now we are desperately in need of a quick fix. In other words, a fast and temporary solution like a dumping ground to give time for yet another (and this time perhaps a much more serious deliberation) by our MLA and other concerned authorities for resolving this big garbage issue before things get out of hand.
Yours etc.,
E. Pohsnem,
Iawmusiang
Jowai
Kudos to Meghalaya CM!
Editor,
The news item published in your esteemed daily on 16th Feb, 2022 titled ‘Conrad announced enhanced welfare scheme for soldiers’, is really a pleasant proclamation by the Chief Minister of Meghalaya in this year of Azadi ka Amrit Mohotsav celebration. After 75 years of attaining independence, the Defence personnel and Gallantry Award winners, who by risking their lives and making supreme sacrifices protect the security of the country, are not given their due respect in our state compared to other states of the country. The North and South Indian States reward their Gallantry Award winners with handsome amounts of cash awards and a piece of land. They are highly respected by the civil society too.
I don’t want to mention the meagre amount of the cash award given till date annually in our state which too was initiated by the tremendous effort of some retired army personnel.
Kudos to the Indian Army and Rajya Sainik Board for organising the rally and communicating the grievances to our CM Conrad K. Sangma. His announcement to enhance the welfare schemes for soldiers is praiseworthy. My sincere thanks to GAD minister Sniawbhalang Bhalang, DC East Khasi Hills, Ms Isawanda Laloo, Air Marshal A.P. Singh , Lt. Gen. Panchanathan and others involved in this initiative. I strongly feel that if our government and Defence Department pay proper attention to the welfare of our ex-servicemen and Gallantry Award winners it will not only honour them but also encourage our students and youths to take up a career in Defence.
Yours etc., .
Reeta Ghosh
National Awardee Teacher and a Defence family member