Hello, dear umbrellas
All of a sudden, umbrellas have again become essential, no? A spell of rain has begun and it seems it’ll stay for some time.
What this signals is a change in your daily modus operandi — pack an umbrella wherever you go; shoes shall no longer keep shining no matter how spick and span you look when you leave your home.
For motorists, it becomes tougher.
All will agree that even a drizzle feels like its pouring when one is riding the bike/scooter. But the Shillongites, accustomed to their city’s rainy disposition, seemed ready.
Motorists were in raincoats braving the rain on Sunday, getting to wherever it is they were headed.
This year, the monsoon season is late by a week and for our state reeling under load-shedding, the rains come as a ray of hope. Hope that the power supply will once again be available 24×7. But inconveniences do not cease instantly with rains, at least it’s apparent as load-shedding has continued. While it is pouring here, it’s going to take some days at least for people to get respite from powercuts.
The countdown however begins.
A fishy affair
The use of formalin, a solution of formaldehyde in water, is common in several varieties of fish imported from Andhra Pradesh, which is over 2,000 km away. Formalin is used as a disinfectant and for preservation of dead bodies and other biological specimen.
But it is not a recent phenomenon. Prior to the latest ban on imported fish, the state government had on several occasions prohibited sale and consumption of some varieties like rohu, katla, pomfret and pangasius that are laced with formalin and quite harmful for humans.
Despite making efforts, the government has been unable to promote local varieties of fish.
Now that imported fish is off the menu, it is hoped that local varieties of fish would enthrall the taste buds of the citizens and keep fish lovers happy, without burning a hole in their pockets.