Editor,
A detestable but expected occurrence befell me while I was riding back home from work. As expected an escort team of one vehicle barged it’s way through traffic. Since I was riding a two wheeler, I felt I was not a hindrance to the VIP vehicle and it’s escort team, so I continued riding at normal speed. It seems like the VIP has a train to catch since both the drivers drove like they were in a mad rush to the finishing line. Then after riding another 500 metres or so, both the cars finally overtook me and as expected a shrill voice shouting from the backseat of the escort vehicle hurled unspeakable words at me.
After the cars overtook me, I saw that the wording at the back of the car read as Chairman of Meghalaya New and Renewable Energy Development Agency(MNREDA).So the guy is obviously one of the most important VIP’s in the state government machinery and he has every right to storm his way through traffic. He probably has a very important meeting to attend hence the mad rush through the infamous Shillong rush hour.
As a state and a people we’re at the crossroads, yes literally at the crossroads. Meghalaya at 50 is beset with an insurmountable set of complex problems. The down and out energy sector has hogged the limelight for the past couple of years or so for all the wrong reasons. Clean and renewable energy is the energy of the future, hence the importance of an agency like MNREDA.
The focus for the next decade or so should be on building human capital, maximum budget allocation and on forging brilliant minds and tapping the resourcefulness of our young population. The next important sector is the unorganised sector. The unorganised sector in fact could be the key that could unlock the full potential of our youths and our struggling economy.
We also need to address the anomaly in the inequitable youth policy formulated at the inception of the state of Meghalaya. Khasi-Jaintia youths need leaders who will stand up for their inborn rights as equal citizens of the state of Meghalaya. We also need Khasi Jaintia leaders who are passionate about the progress of our State as a whole.
Tapping the untapped human capital and clean energy and redressing the inequitable youth policy should be the main focus starting from next year. Without a changed mindset we’ll continue to remain at the bottom of every human development index ranking.
Yours etc.,
Gary Marbaniang,
Via email
On Robert’s Hospital
Editor,
Rev Kyrsoibor Pyrtuh’s article on the Welsh Mission Hospital (ST March 20, 2022) was an informative and well documented history of the renowned Hospital at that time. The hospital had reached its peak when Dr. R.A Hughes, a well-known surgeon was in-charge. I was in contact with this hospital since the time of Dr. Hughes. The hospital was well known not only in the North East but far and wide up to Calcutta. He was a dedicated doctor for whom duty always came first and I could see his dedication to “Service above Self.”
I recall an incident which proves his loyalty to his profession and to the call of duty when a patient known to our family came all the way from Manipur to be treated for some infection in his leg. One evening the Doctor had to attend a very important annual Church function along with his wife. While he was getting ready for the same the nurse immediately called him and told him that gangrene had set in and an operation was urgently required. Dr Hughes told his wife to attend the Church function while he attended to the patient. He knew that if an operation for amputation of his leg was not done immediately the patient would die. He immediately got the patient removed to the operation theatre and amputated his leg and thereby saved his life. Such was his dedication and sincerity towards his profession. There were many such instances when Dr Hughes rendered yeoman’s service.
After him came Dr Chatterjee who was also a brilliant surgeon who had performed surgery on my father and uncles.
After him I don’t remember who came to lead the hospital in the Surgical Department but I vividly remember Dr S.P. Sen Gupta a specialist surgeon and on his request the Rotary Club of Shillong furnished the Children’s Ward by raising money through a Walkathon. The Rotary Club also donated Gastroscope to the Hospital where (L) MM Jacob then Governor of Meghalaya attended the function as a Chief Guest. Similarly, the last renowned doctor who I remember was Dr. G.K. Das the retired Surgeon Superintendent of Civil Hospital Shillong. Although armed only with an MBBS degree he was famous for his surgical stints and used to give guidance to other doctors on surgical matters.
I had no further contact with the hospital after that and only name I remember is that of Dr E.C. Syngkon. He was an efficient Gynaecologist who was instrumental in the birth of my sons. He served there until his retirement.
I will not forget the services of Dr S.S. Sharma who was the anaesthesiologist of the hospital who assisted the surgeons with his skilful anaesthetics experience.
I will also be failing in my duties if I don’t mention the dedicated staff of the hospital Bah Thu (Mr Thomas) in the X-Ray Department and his assistant(I forget his name). The Nursing Staff of whom I remember Sister Nuriel were strict Matrons but very kind hearted.
These in a nutshell are my memories of the Hospital which was an institution of service known for its dedication towards the patients.
Yours etc.,
S L Singhania
Shillong -1