Editor,
While I pay my utmost respect to those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom I also reaffirm my fundamental duty to respect the Constitution and the Tri-Colour (Flag). For over 30 years in these Hills (Hynniewtrep Land), during the Independence Day people were forced to stay indoors and at the height of insurgency people couldn’t even publicly discuss plans for observing India’s Independence celebration due to fear. I remember when Late T.H Rangad, the then Home Minister, took out a lone procession to Polo ground on August 15, people reviled him for violating the bandh call by the HNLC. Fortunately, the internet had just entered our state and there was no social media then. Otherwise, he would have been crucified.
This year as we observe the 75th year of Independence the Modi Govt led by the BJP is making all efforts to ensure that the Har Ghar Tiranga program becomes a success. Yes, there is nothing wrong in hoisting the national flag in homes etc. Rather it is our fundamental duty to pay respects to it. Ironically, in certain areas in these hills, where 30 years ago people would not dare to even talk of India’s freedom on 15 August, now there is singing and waving of the Tri-Colour with fervour. However, there are debates around the Har Ghar Tiranga programme and debates will continue.
Coming back to these hills (Hynniewtrep Land), now that the negotiation with the banned HNLC is on, while I pray for the early peaceful solutions, I am also apprehensive that militancy may perhaps resurface in the near future for obvious reasons, especially with the present Home Minister in the State who cannot handle law and order which is deteriorating by the day and citizens are living in fear. If militancy/insurgency ever resurfaces in the State (God forbid) it’s going to be the worst of its kind as it will become a “private militia” in the name of Jaidbynriew.
Insofar as India’s 75th Independence Day is concerned I view the world of politics and economics through the tribal lens. I look at society from the margins. There are issues of tribality which need to be addressed within Independent India, but not at the cost of others but rather by finding workable solutions.
The threat towards tribals, dalits and religious minorities continues and has increased in the past two decades. Now that the drafting of a new Constitution for a “Hindu Rashtra” is under way the threat is not just alarming but it is very real.
It is imperative for progressive minds across the spectrum to come together to defend the Constitution and shun injustices, religious, communal violence and discrimination at every level.
Yours etc.,
Kyrsoibor Pyrtuh
Via email
Traffic congestion: Who’s at fault
Editor,
Most people complaining about the traffic jams in Shillong are also the ones contributing to it. How hard has it become for people to walk? Shillong is a walk-friendly city, and anyone can easily walk for 10 kms or more. Nowadays, people take their vehicles even for short distances hence major roads are snarled up in the rush-hour. Generalising this observation would be absolutely wrong, but there are still a few others who walk to avoid traffic jams, and many others who genuinely enjoy walking.Before we point fingers at the Government for not taking initiatives to bring a permanent solution to our grievances, let us ask ourselves a few questions: Are we willing to solve this issue? Will we be willing to send our children to school by bus if the government implements the school bus scheme? If not, can’t we send them to schools in the JNNURM buses? In short, use public transport?
“Was stuck in a traffic jam for a long time,” would be the only reason we give to schools, colleges, and workplaces for being late. This reason can be forgiven once, but can we give this excuse to our superiors every time? Knowing the ground realities they will not easily forgive us but will come up with befitting action as they must, and also ask us to schedule our travel better.
Can we, the general public, join hands and try to solve this issue by doing a rehearsal for three days? If our schools, colleges, and offices are within the radius of our homes, let’s walk; if not, let’s get on the bus, take a taxi, or maxi cab, and head off to our respective destinations. Send our children to school using the available public buses and maxi cabs, and also encourage college-goers to use public transport, and let’s give up on the easy life for a few days. Can parents take the initiative to encourage their kids to board public transport rather than drop and pick them up from school? Or has this become a competition among parents themselves to drop their kids off at school because the others are doing so, thereby also demonstrating how protective they are of their kids?
Here’s where interesting questions arise, although the outcome of the above rehearsal would be overwhelming. Will we give up our easy lifestyles of heading to our respective destinations by using passenger vehicles? How willing are we to contribute to this plan if it is at all successful? Should we not think of the greater good of society? This is where we will know and understand if the reason for traffic congestion in Shillong is due to narrow roads, unreasonably taking our vehicles out or both. Again, this is where we will decipher if the government is to be blamed or we, the hoi polloi.
JNNURM buses would be very helpful for commuters like school and college students and office goers, had the authorities allowed them to take a route via the Police Bazaar from Motphran to Barik, just like they did some eight years ago. Motphran is the epicentre for students and working professionals from Mawlai, Jaiaw, Mawprem and the neighbouring localities. Presently, buses from Motphran heading to Laitumkhrah would take a route via Garikhana and Civil Hospital, ferrying a few passengers only, and a few students from Jhalupara, Garikhana, and Rhino Point. Students nowadays refrain from getting on the bus while heading to school for similar reasons: long distance routes and traffic jams. This is something we should ponder upon, and maybe the concerned authorities can do a drill on the same for a week to see the difference. I’m sure if the buses were to resort to the old route from Motphran via Police Bazar, it would definitely cater to the students of schools in Barik and Malki, including students of St Anthony’s College in large numbers.
It would be interesting to know how many JNNURM buses actually operate on Shillong’s streets on a daily basis. In 2011, 120 JNNURM buses were introduced. As of January 2016, there were 85 buses plying in the city, and the State Government has ordered 75 additional buses, making a total of 160. At present, we barely see even 20 buses. Where have all the buses go?
Let’s take an example of a European country that has come up with a well thought out plan to solve the issue of traffic congestion. Buses, trams, and trains are now free to ride on, and we don’t need a ticket to board. This is an initiative taken by the Government of Luxembourg. Luxembourg is a small country landlocked by Belgium, France, and Germany. As of March 1, 2020, all public transport in the country—trains, trams, and buses are now free. This move by the government has encouraged citizens to opt for public transport. In fact, Luxembourg became the first country in the world to offer free public transport to everyone. It also became the first country in the world to offer free transport services to both residents and visitors.
According to the recent survey conducted by the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, 20% of parents in Shillong drop their kids off on their way to work. 68% of parents in Shillong are using their vehicles for a dedicated school trip. This includes mothers and fathers taking time out of their office/work hours to pick up their kids. These statistics are as per a survey conducted for 19 schools among 6510 parents in Shillong City.
Are we willing to own up that the solution to the problem could be us and us alone and not blame it on the traffic department or Government? Are we ready to take on that responsibility? How far are we from attaining a solution? How eager are people to coordinate? When will we see a permanent solution? Will we make an effort to find a collective solution? Can we anticipate a traffic-free road? Only time will tell, and hopefully that is sooner than later. Let’s decongest the already congested Shillong roads.
Yours etc.,
Emidao Shylla,
Via email