Editor,
The refusal of the government to revisit the border MOU with Assam and its decision to issue licenses for establishment of casinos in Khanapara despite strong public opinion against them are two examples among many that this government does not regard public opinion as important at all because the government knows that in Meghalaya ” public opinion ” generally can be equated merely as ” strong feelings” of people on issues they hardly understand or care. The government also knows that ” public opinion ” strong as it may be at a certain period will vanish in a matter of a few days or weeks and we will go back to our usual state of indifference and if pockets of resistance remain, a liberal amount of cash and more spread around among the public and revered institutions come election time will drown out any voices of conscience
Hence, we are bound to have another government of Kleptocrats and some people especially those who read English newspapers will cry hoarse for at least another five years while the rest will go about their business in a state of usual indifference.
They say that a fish starts to rot from the head. In our case, the rot started to set in as soon as we attained statehood in 1972 and now the rot or corruption has reached the tail and it permeates all walks of life to the extent that it has also influenced our vocabulary. To cite an example, we don’t call stolen money by its name anymore; we call it ” side income ” and that is a clue as to how our minds work.
In sum therefore Money and Money alone will generally be the sole determinant of who or which party wins the next elections.
Yours etc.,
Samuel Swett,
Shillong-2
Shillong Traffic Jam
Editor,
I would like to share my observations regarding traffic jam here in your esteemed newspaper after having stayed and driven in Mumbai City for more than ten years. Firstly, we cannot compare the situation here with other cities In India. Besides the narrow roads, failure of the public transport system, occupied footpaths, lack of parking space etc, the problems of traffic jams here in Shillong is compounded by the lack of discipline among drivers who are irresponsible, selfish, egoistic and careless. Traffic rules are not followed properly or appropriately here in Shillong unlike in other cities of India.
Blaming the traffic dilemma to the parents dropping their children by cars is indirectly blaming the children. The question is not only about kids going to school by private cars but also how many people use public transport to travel to their offices every day and for other business/work? A design to use a shared school transport system may not help ease the traffic in the city and it cannot be compared with other cities of India where a school bus for ferrying children is preferred. In other cities of India the schools have enough premises and campuses where buses can pick up and drop kids inside the campus. In other cities, people reside in clusters i.e. colonies and flat systems unlike here in Shillong where people reside in residential houses and buses cannot enter into many of these residential areas or localities due to the topographical setup and lack of accessibility.
The transport system in Mumbai run by BMC (Bombay Municipal Corporation) is one of the best in India where maximum capacity in cab/taxi/bus is strictly adhered to and there are systematic rules where people can only board a bus/taxi at a designated place; people stand in queues while waiting for a bus, entering only from the front and exiting from the back, unlike here in Shillong where bus/taxi sometimes pick up passengers anywhere, even in the middle of the road. The capacity of passengers inside taxis is beyond limits and rules are haphazardly followed.
If we want to see the change, then we need to start with our attitude that is discipline then follow traffic rules and regulations properly whether it is parking, stopping, overtaking, etc. Public transport system whether buses or taxis need to be organized in terms of frequency, timing, connectivity and passenger friendliness. There are many places where parking can be earmarked and designated properly. Permission to use the roads in the defence areas at Rilbong- Upper Shillong, Rhino areas etc for the benefit of the people at large should be sought.
Its high time to develop other areas especially in New Shillong Township whether it is for setting up Shopping Complexes, Supermarkets, Recreation Centres, Gyms, Cinema halls of INOX/PVR type, Parks etc. Lastly, A flyover is much needed to ease traffic jam especially at junctions where traffic is more prone i.e. Rilbong, petrol pump-Anjalee areas, Dhanketi, Barik to name a few. The flyover can and must be constructed. If there is a will, there is always a way.
Yours etc.,
N Lyngdoh,
Via email
Casino lies!
Editor,
The way the MDA government under the NPP has rigged the state of its coffers to fund its election dreams is no secret and above all is the overall denial made by the Chief Minister himself followed by a contradictory Deputy CM on their divergent statements related to the gaming casino that is coming up near the border with Assam. Lying has been a habitual offence of the NPP. When all the critical sectors in the State need serious attention and financial allocations, manpower support, here we have a state government putting all its eggs in the casino basket as if it would bring employment and development to the society. There is a limit to telling lies, so if the entire Christian community feels that if the CM or Deputy CM has committed a “mortal sin” then stop inviting them for your programs which will absolve them by 2023.
Yours etc..
Dominic Stadlin Wankhar
Via email