Editor,
When Conrad Sangma announced in December last year that JICA has granted Rs 700 crores for the development of the tourism sector in Meghalaya, I had written in these columns that if the amount sanctioned is a loan, then an audit mechanism should be there to ensure that the money is not misused. JICA is the Japanese multilateral organization that provides development assistance to developing countries through grants in aid and concessional loans. Recently someone had accused the current dispensation of misutilization of the loan sanctioned for the tourism sector in the State. According to him, money earmarked for the tourism sector has been used for construction of roads instead. I don’t support the political organization he belongs to but if the person raises a valid point, then his argument should not be simply brushed aside just because he’s not a resident of Meghalaya.
The residents and the intelligentsia in our state should be ashamed because it took a person from outside to point out the possible loopholes in the implementation of a loan sanctioned for a critical sector in the state. If the money is properly utilized, then well and good but if there is misutilization then it can have serious ramifications for the state and the future generations. If someone has ever taken a big loan, then they will know the financial burden that the loan will cause even if it is used for the intended purpose. People who have taken such kind of loans will generally feel that there is a heavy weight on their shoulders. Once the loan is repaid, they will immediately feel relieved.
The state of Meghalaya now has a heavy economic burden on its weak shoulder even if the loan taken is used for the intended purpose. Just imagine a situation where the loan taken has not been utilized for the purpose intended; imagine paying crores of rupees as interest payment alone every month for a loan that has been not properly utilized. God only knows what will happen to our state and the future generations. The need of the hour for a state like Meghalaya is accountability. There should be a strong and efficient audit mechanism that will find out any loopholes in the utilisation of public money for development projects.
Yours etc.,
Gary Marbaniang,
Via email
Inspiration from great personalities like Phan Nonglait…
Editor,
Apropos of the news item about the unsung heroine of Meghalaya — Phan Nonglait, “Group appeals for Centre, state recognition to Phan Nonglait” (ST, December 7, 2022), it instantly occurred to me that the story would evoke a lot of responses. People will overwhelmingly come forward in support of the Maitshaphrang Movement.
But I did not notice anything as such except the support from MLA Adelbert Nongrum. This itself is a QUESTION mark. However, the sacrifices of Phan Nonglait should provoke us to think deeper. We should not think twice but stand with the organization’s chairman, Michael Syiem. I agree with Mr Syiem that the courage of Phan Nonglait is less known to many, let alone others from outside this state. Now, I believe, he should not be the lone person to speak of the inspiring contributions of this woman freedom fighter. We all need to sing songs of praises in chorus.
Inspiration from personalities with valour and virtues is essential in society. In the absence of “dignified” role models, the youths may certainly go astray. Whether one agrees or not, amidst the cacophony of social media and entertainment worlds, our children have been choosing the “wrong” people for inspiration. This is detrimental.
Those celebrities, whom our grown-up kids now look upon and whose lifestyles they copy take them away from “reality”. Their behavioural attitude and activities are hardly worth emulating. Those entertainment celebrities have risen to fame by doing what they should not. Most of them are self-centred. I will not dig deeper into it. But what is unfortunate is that the glitter of glamour has blinded our new generation. They are deluded to move away from a value-based world. Needless to say, our children now know more about Shakira, Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, Sherlyn Chopra, Salman Khan… The valorous personalities like Phan Nonglait, Rani Gaidinliu, and Kanaklata hardly appeal to them. This can be ascertained from the “LIKES” they receive on social media compared to the entertainment celebrities. It clearly shows how deluded the new generation is.
Well, just ponder with seriousness the hardship and sacrifices that must have been made by Phan Nonglait two hundred years ago. Those days, hardly any woman could think of leaving the hearth and home. But Phan Nonglait had come out with bows and arrows. She did that to protect these hilly regions. She supported U Tirot Sing and struggled with determination to fight back the enemy forces. Is this not awe-inspiring? Why are such proud historical facts missing from our school textbooks?
It is the responsibility of the Government, both central and state, to ensure that those great personalities are commemorated in every possible way. Their sacrifices and contributions alone inspire our children to walk on the “righteous” path. Yes, we should erect a number of busts and statues of such heroic women and institute awards in their honour as suggested by Mr Syiem. More importantly, their sacrifices and contributions should be made compulsory subjects in all academic institutions. It would be a good idea if we could name our important hospitals, schools, colleges, roads and other developmental plans and programs under their names. We have named enough in honour of a few “leaders” without any sense. That should be stopped. Let’s learn to choose our role models with more sense and discernment.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
(Member, International
Human Rights Commission)
Shillong