Editor,
On the April 5, 2022 one news item states that the Urban Affairs Minister of Meghalaya has informed the public that each and every village approached for creating a landfill (dumping garbage) has vehemently protested the move. The argument, most probably, for each and every village is that unless the Government can demonstrate that there is one place which is a scientifically managed dumping site there can be no agreement. This is absolutely understandable but it is also a cause of concern for the future of Jowai Town. Looking ahead, the only alternative out of this mess is to keep a small incinerator at home or “khnap thang jhep wa khian ha iung.” This is not a new idea, and since every dumping place selected has met with stiff refusal from the villagers the presence of a small incinerator at home or if need be, a local incinerator will be of great use. The details for executing this idea can be worked out by each and every locality according to their own needs. This is where the Dorbar Shnong will have to rise to the occasion like it did wonderfully during the pandemic of 2020. Also, If the government is feeling generous it can provide incentives for building small incinerators in each and every household or one in every locality. In the end, this is not a small task and along with proper execution, the participation of each and every locality will be needed for mitigating Jowai’s unending garbage mounds in public places.
Yours etc.,
A concerned citizen,
Name withheld on request
Tackling traffic snarls intelligently!
Editor,
This is a request to The Shillong Traffic Police as well as the Rangbah Shnong of Nongrim Hills to kindly impose ‘One way’ on the lane going to Jingkieng next to Bethany hospital at the junction that goes to NEC. Since the road is very narrow, it becomes difficult for the drivers once there is traffic on both sides, as well as for pedestrians walking on that road. It creates a very bad and long traffic jam on both sides, and the traffic goes all the way to Fire Brigade point. We also see the problem with school children and pedestrians as many a times they have to walk next to or on the drain when there is traffic both ways. We also see a lot of tourist taxis and Sumos going to and from Jowai using this lane as a shortcut; this should not be allowed at all as this is a residential locality. The Rangbah Shnong should have taken this problem seriously since I’m sure he himself has many a times got stuck on this lane. A one way for vehicles going up can be used from the lane before NEC and also the lane next to the SBI ATM in Nongrim Hills, and the traffic going towards Fire Brigade can be used on the said lane. This will surely ease the traffic in Nongrim Hills.
Superintendent of Traffic, Shillong City and Rangbah Shnong , Nongrim Hills kindly do the needful as this will help all the residents of Nongrim Hills and kindly assign one traffic personnel to look into this especially during the busy hours.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email
Muskan’s family and Al-Qaeda Chief
Editor,
The father and the family of BV MUSKAN KHAN, a student of Mandya District in Karnataka, must surely be applauded and complimented for their restraint and patriotic comments on the video purportedly circulated by Ayman al-Zawahiri, the supposed current Chief of Al-Qaeda. The girl became famous because of the way she confronted a mob during the hijab controversy in Karnataka recently.
However, the more important point here is that the acts (that includes lynching) of certain hooligans in the name of Hindutva and harassment of minority communities like the Muslims and the Christians has caught the attention of people in different parts of the world, and now even the supposed terrorist outfits. The fact that adequate steps are not taken by the political class and the law enforcement authorities to restrain these hooligans is shameful to say the least. Vast majority of the populace in India want communal harmony and want to live peacefully, irrespective of their religious affiliations.
Recently, India signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a first after many years. These are Islamic emirates. It also means that expats from UAE would frequently visit India. India is also in an advanced stage to sign FTA with the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) countries comprising Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the UAE. All the these are Islamic countries. The treaty would encourage travel between peoples of these countries to India, and vice versa. A very large number of Hindu Indians are already working in these countries. However, if India is perceived to be anti-Muslim because of acts of a few Indians, retaliation is inevitable. The current President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogen, and the ex-Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohammad had frequently made adverse comments about India for Kashmir and the status of Muslims in India.
It is important for the political class and the Police to apply and enforce law in the true spirit of the Constitution of India, before majoritarian acts of vandalism spiral out of control.
Yours etc.,
D Bhutia,
Guwahati- 24