Editor.
The ban on buses moving towards 9-lad and Motphran from December 23, 2022 for the purpose of reducing the chronic traffic situation in the city, has pushed me to introspect about the traffic condition within the city. I have now come to the realization that the Government is discouraging people from using public transportation simply because it lacks a management strategy for running public transportation.
With time the number of vehicles on our tiny, rocky, adventurous roads have increased and so too the hours spent getting stuck in traffic on these roads. Indeed, the decision on changing the bus routes was made as a solution to reduce the traffic congestion in these areas. However, given the current condition of the size of our city roads and their maintenance the traffic problem defies solution. I believe if we had better public transportation and encouraged their use it could perhaps ease up the horrific voluntary stationary breaks, we take on the way to any if not every destination on a regular basis, since logically there is no easy solution or permanent fix to the traffic congestion issue as of now. However, if as a community we contribute to and encourage the use and management of public transports for our regular and short commutes, perhaps we could reduce the congestion on the roads, given that at present most families own at least one vehicle which in most cases is being used on a regular basis for short commutes. Admittedly it does seem more convenient to travel in our own private vehicles but with the present day population of private cars on the roads, it has conveniently inconvenienced every person, trying to get from one place to another, be it a pedestrian or a 2- wheeler owner who perhaps thought of avoiding traffic by not opting for travelling by a 4- wheeler.
Perhaps if we were more willing to choose public transportation over our private luxury, and if we had better if not the best public transports, getting out of the house early and arriving at the destination early would no longer be a dream for the city folks.
The views expressed here are those of a Class 10 student who is concerned about the lack of public transport. I do not mean to offend any particular individual or group.
Yours etc.,
Ilarisa A Lamin
St Marys Higher Secondary School, Shillong,
Via email
Wanted policy makers not wheeler-dealers in Meghalaya
Editor,
Now that 2022 has come and gone and we are in 2023, let this be the year that we resolve to make amends for our past errors, particularly when it comes to electing our representatives to the State Assembly.
Based on my observations, our people do not have a clear understanding of democracy or the universal adult franchise right (the right to vote). We believe that voting without receiving any financial benefits is pointless and that individuals would seek financial benefits from candidates, which the latter would be happy to provide. People are content with their short-term gains, money, or blanket.
The future of our state has been impacted by the fact that most of the policymakers in our State legislative assembly are businessmen who are only self-serving and do not understand the role of policy making, leadership roles and have not read or understood the Constitution of India. This is especially true when candidates who have invested crores of rupees in their campaigns are elected. Once in office, they will attempt to recoup their investment.
People ought to recognise that we are the ones who decide how our State will develop and that we should use our voting privileges as a tool to effect change because without a functioning government, there can be no state. Abraham Lincoln once remarked that a democracy is a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people.” However, in our state, it is decided by money or blankets, and democracy in our state is like a government of the money, by the money, and for the money.
Last but not least, let’s transform our state for the better by actually utilising our right to vote. We need policymakers, not wheeler-dealers.
Yours etc.,
Kenneth Nongsiej,
Via email
Religious leaders and CPC should take initiative
Editor,
Apropos of the letter “Christmas not for unholy parties” by Salil Gewali, (ST December 31, 2022) I wish to express my viewpoints here. So far as my personal knowledge of religion is concerned, wild parties and drinking sprees during religious festivals is sacrilegious. This even a child knows. In God’s domain immoral activities do not get entry. But what we are witnessing now in the name of puja or holy Christmas is against religious tenets. This kind of irreligious development will be detrimental to the society also as clearly emphasized by Mr Gewali in his letter.
Particularly during Durga Puja, we notice the puja organizers holding various programs in which Bollywood vulgar dances are performed right in front of the idols of Goddess Durga. I think this is an INSULT to Gods and Goddesses. Better stop doing puja. During the puja festive occasions, one also witnesses boisterous crowds of people, mostly heavily drunk, creating scenes at places and causing great inconvenience to the visiting devotees at the pandals. In some cases, devotees cannot reach up to the sanctum sanctorum to offer prayers and take prasad. How can we call this as puja? Why is the Central Puja Committee (CPC) of Meghalaya keeping mum? I have not seen any believers of Christianity or Islam or Sikhism, organizing Bollywood dances within the premises of the Church or Masjid of Gurudwara till date. In the guise of puja celebration, we should not allow unethical entertainment. This is against the guidelines of holy scriptures.
Lastly, through this column I sincerely request the Central Puja Committee (CPC) to take this concern seriously. Let CPC take the initiative in this direction by calling respected religious leaders from other faiths as it does every year which is highly appreciated. I hope the next Duga Puja will be free from vulgar entertainment. The sacred Vedas and the Gita exhort human beings irrespective of any faith, to keep away from materialistic thoughts and sensual indulgences. I believe similar teachings are also enshrined in the Holy Bible and the Koran.
Yours etc.,
Rupesh Nath,
Via email