Editor,
The write-up of Patricia Mukhim which appeared in your esteemed daily on Dec 16, 2022 under the caption “We all want CHANGE” we Hope for CHANGE but how,” is a thought provoking one. This article, so painstakingly written, is indeed food for thought, for us readers.
Yes, change in the voting pattern of our people is a must, if we do not go for it then we will have the same hung assembly after the election, to be followed by a coalition government, year after year. This type of cooperative government is happening because we are voting for an individual candidate regardless of the party to which such candidate belongs.
In a coalition government, as we have seen, no party takes responsibility should something go wrong or there is a misadventure in governance. The coalition partners, to escape responsibility, openly and freely, blame the government, with a false sense of impunity, quite forgetting that they are also part of it. In the process, we get an irresponsible government. Also in such an arrangement of government formation MLAs and even ministers, are seen concentrating, on themselves only on appeasing the people of their respective constituencies. The reason for their doing so is well known to us. As a result, the state as a whole suffers from death and dearth of development and progress.
So, it is of utmost necessity to avoid such a fractured verdict in the upcoming election. This can be done only when we vote for the party, which has fielded adequate number of candidates, in our 60-member’ assembly, so that such party can form a government of its own.
This change so suggested in our voting behaviour is not easy to bring about. This is because a large chunk of voters are just literate enough to put their signature on the dotted line. They do not understand the nitty-gritty of how our government runs. They consider freebies as an important incentive for voting. Unfortunately, they are the deciding factor in electing candidates in any constituency. In such a background, the educated and enlightened ones, desirous of change have to take an active part in educating and persuading such ignorant voters at least in their own neighbourhood regarding whom to cast their vote for. If this extra pain is not taken by our knowledgeable people, then the change, we hope to bring remains a pipe dream. We will be condemned to have the same ruling dispensation perpetually and eternally
Yours etc.,
Krishna Chettri,
Shillong -2
Christmas not for unholy parties
Editor,
December 25 is the holiest day for Christians. It is this day on which Lord Jesus had taken birth. I feel not only Christians but even people from other faiths should also consider this as an auspicious day. All should observe this day with a complete purity of heart and mind. It is indeed a good idea to do some charity and help the needy and poor on this day. But, the sad part is that the contrary is noticed during Christmas eve these days! Certain people throw special parties with booze. They want to jazz up this occasion with all vulgar dance, wild revelry and much more. The depraved video that went viral recently, in fact, is just the tip of the iceberg. This I am speaking very objectively.
Please check out, many have started thinking that Christmas (including Durga Puja…) is a big day to celebrate with drink and dance until you fall. Why are the HOLY days earmarked for all acts of debauchery? Why are such outrageous things catching on among the new generation? Has Christmas become synonymous with depravity? This calls all spiritual leaders, social activists, and the government, which is seemingly non-committal, into question. One feels our priests and bishops should not remain silent. They should speak out and dictate their terms. Their silence might be taken as approval. Frenzied parties and prayers cannot go together. Heaven should send down blessings, not curse. Amen!
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali
Shillong
Expectations in the new year
Editor,
There are many expectations in 2023 for the country such as the G20 session, fresh outbreak Covid, assembly elections in nine states and expected recession in the world and political performance of Rahul Gandhi etc., and in nutshell next year will be crucial for India on several counts. Covid’s new variant is at the doorstep of the country and it had expanded in China creating havoc in that country. India has already started taking precautions in this regard.
But the famous French astrologer Nostradamus predicted that in 2023 the Ukraine crisis might lead to a world war. He foretold a temperature rise and heralded the arrival of a new Pope, a civil war in America, civil unrest in the world, and a Mars landing.
India will hold more than 200 events spread across major metro cities. Prime Minister Modi plans to showcase himself and India in a grand show to project himself as a world leader ahead of the 2024 polls. Politically, for India, the upcoming nine state elections are the most significant in 2023. They will decide the fate of several parties and their leaders, including Congress, the BJP, and other regional parties. The strength of Rahul Gandhi will be tested in these polls after his current Bharat Jodo yatra ends in February.
The results of the nine assembly elections will be a precursor for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Who wins and who loses will impact the electorate and the workers’ morale. There is a direct fight between the BJP and the Congress in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh. In Karnataka, there will be a triangular contest between BJP, Congress, and JDS. In Telangana, a triangular fight will be between TRS, Congress, and BJP. In Tripura, too, there will be a triangular fight between the BJP, the Congress, and the Left Front. The immediate focus is on Karnataka. The BJP has high stakes as that is the only state where the BJP is ruling in the south. The Congress-JD(S) combine has a chance to wrest the government from the BJP. Will Congress revive its strength? Will Rahul Gandhi emerge stronger? The Himachal Pradesh win this month has boosted the morale of the Congress. It has allowed a chance for Congress to unite the Opposition. The opposition parties have realised that Modi will get a third term unless they combine. They will decide on the prime ministerial candidate only after the polls. There are at least half a dozen contenders, mostly the egoistic regional satraps like Mamata Banerjee, KCR, and Arvind Kejriwal. The government has to take a firm decision on the old pension scheme.
On the foreign front many bold decisions are expected from the country. Overall, 2023 looks promising in most spheres.
Yours etc.,
Yash Pal Ralhan
Via email