The virtual meet
Back in the day, and by this we mostly mean the pre-pandemic times, do you remember what any regular meeting consisted of? A specific time, place, a group of people and a reason to assemble.
Contrary to those times, our meetings nowadays present before us a unique set of needs (rather challenges) which the SJ team could not help but point out.
This Jottings is thus, all about being part of a virtual meeting, the Shillong way.
If your weak cellular network has fretted you, and given you too many rounds up and down the stairs, then you probably know what we are talking about.
Shillong’s bad blood with stable network has, at one time or another, annoyed all of us, making us search for a network-abundant corner in the house, or worse still, another alternative, like WiFi.
If, somehow your internet connection even manages to be steady, we now have our next problem: sounds and distractions. Vrooming cars, screeching bikes, talkative neighbours bantering their way through ‘secret’ recipes- these are all parts of the ‘noise deal’ one signs up for, as they bravely press the ‘Join’ button of their Zoom/Google meet calls.
Now suppose, to avoid all these distracting noises, you do manage to find a quiet spot outside, say in your backyard, rooftop or balcony. The noise is less, the signal is better in the open, and you tell yourself “I’m all set”. Well, what happens then? A gush of wind comes and blows you away, quite literally, and dresses you – head to toe – in impeccable dust and dirt!
So yes, the merciless winds, noise or internet of the city do not care if you have business to discuss or old friends to catch up with. If you must attend a virtual meet, make sure your arrangements are not just ready, but Shillong-ready!
Jaywalking, again?
This isn’t a routine revisit but an urge brought about by antics of jaywalkers in several roads of the city that seem to show no signs of restrain, of late.
Pedestrians and vehicles need to move; none’s cause could be superior to the other. But there is an oddity observed over a period of time — pedestrians pay very less regard to moving vehicles. Jaywalking is just as much as galling as it is dangerous.
If you stand on a pavement in Laitumkhrah, or as a matter of fact any other busy traffic area, you are bound to see countless angry glares being exchanged between pedestrians and car drivers, in particular, along this busy stretch of road.
While these exchanges don’t often escalate, sometimes it risks more than just a brawl in the middle of the street, which is still controllable. Jaywalking has great scope when it comes to someone getting injured, which people are wise enough to understand, and yet the trend continues.
Some credit must be given to our Traffic police personnel, who have time and again been seen helping pedestrians cross the roads. But it is in places where these stalwarts can’t keep an eye out where jaywalking has become a menace.
A minimum of 30 seconds’ wait to let the oncoming vehicle pass could give respite from this unhealthy trend, and crossing roads for pedestrians would become a no-brainer. Try it!
