Editor,
Seeing that an Executive Committee of the Khasi Hills District Council has been toppled yet again, I am reminded of a saying by Otto von Bismarck, the founder of modern Germany who said this about politics, ” Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable — the art of the next best.” However, since Meghalaya is very far from being modern Germany a slight change in the above quote would perhaps be appropriate in the context of Meghalaya. Hence, the saying should read like this, ” Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable – the art of the next worse.” Why? It is because governments in Meghalaya, at any level, tend to become worse than the previous ones. We the common folks have nothing to gain but many things to lose by the political shenanigans of our so-called leaders although toppling games are played in the name of, “we the people “.
The coming together of the Congress and the National People’s Party to form the next Executive Committee also reminds me of another saying: ” Politics makes strange bedfellows.” But, this saying too does not seem to apply to Meghalaya because most of the present members from all political parties are no strangers to each other when it comes to sharing political beds. At one point of time or another, most of these members have found themselves sharing political beds with each other while wearing one type of political uniform or another. Having said this, I think that the most suitable quote in the context of Meghalaya’s Politics is, “Politics is the art of knowing when to backstab your friends and partners and inventing another name for it”. (Note: This quote is from my repertoire of quotable quotes)
More seriously, I think that contrary to what the United Democratic Party is hoping, the alignment of forces between the Congress and the NPP will probably have a bearing at the state government level, the MDC and even the parliamentary elections next year. There is a possibility that the Congress will merge with the NPP and our present Member of Parliament may even contest from the NPP ticket because as things stand now, the Congress is almost a spent force in Meghalaya and the NPP at present does not have a winnable Khasi-Jaintia face to contest for the Lok Sabha. But, things in this regard will crystallize only after the high-stakes assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, etc., slated for the last part of the year, where the Congress is hoping to make a big come back. As for the UDP’s fate and considering what has just happened in the District Council, the moot questions that come to mind are: Will the UDP be kicked out of the government? Will the UDP split? I think that in the backstabbing politics of Meghalaya, anything and everything is possible.
Yours etc.,
Samuel Swett,
Shillong- 2
What are the Good Farming Practices in France?
Editor,
As I read the report on the Agriculture Minister leading a group of farmer-entrepreneurs and their jaunt to a foreign country to learn good farming practices, I was also expecting to hear of those good farming practices in France that thề visitors from Meghalaya learned. But I was disappointed. Nothing was even mentioned. WHY? I do not want to make assumptions or give a critical response which is why I asked the big question WHY. Please enlighten the readers of your esteemed paper and ask the ‘elite’ set of farmers what exactly they learnt from France that they can practice here and that they didn’t know before.
Yours etc.,
Darilyn Syiem,
Via email
What agriculture does France do, pray?
Editor,
For a government with a huge loan burden it is sickening to hear of the Agriculture Minister boasting to the media that she took a team of farmers and entrepreneurs to France to learn ‘good’ farming practices from them. Since the money has been spent from the public exchequer, as a concerned citizen I want the following answers and again as a citizen, I am entitled to get the answers. First: What are those “good” farming practices that the farmers from Meghalaya who probably all this time were engaged in “bad” farming practices learn? Second: How much money was expended from the public exchequer for this foreign jaunt? Third: How were the farmers selected/elected or picked? Fourth: What were the criteria to qualify as a farmer to make it to this high profile trip? Fifth: Provide the list of names of those farmers so that those of us doing farmer on a large and small scale can actually ask them from farming tips.
I also want to address the silent participants of democracy in this state to speak up and speak loudly because the ghosts of the MDA-01 government which were temporarily buried will be resurrected to loot the state for the second time and now on an even bigger scale. If we remain silent now it means we are participating in the corruption even as the state sinks into a morass and goes from bad to worse in terms of governance.
Yours etc.,
Primrose Nonglang,
Via email
Increasing pickpocketing in Iewduh
Editor,
The bustling legendary market – Iewduh (Bara Bazaar), has scripted the destiny of countless people. While many struggled and succeeded in making enormous fortunes, others have been badly misled, cheated, and left impoverished. However, this market always holds a semblance of hope for everyone. The most disturbing aspect of this congested market in recent times is the “increasing” number of pickpockets it has attracted. These crooked thieves prey on unsuspecting poor people like stealthy shadows in the crowd.
With great precision, these crafty thieves snatch wallets, purses, mobiles, and other valuables, leaving the victim in a state of complete hopelessness. It is a heartbreaking sight as such individuals, particularly those hailing from “remote villages,” quickly fall victim to this menace, and they have no one to turn to for help.
Just a couple of weeks ago, I was witness to an incident that haunted my thoughts ever since. It was a case of a poor village woman who was robbed of over Rs 4000 cash and mobile phone.. In utter despair, she cried hysterically in the marketplace. It is the most pitiful scene. Overwhelmed with emotion, a generous shopkeeper gave her two hundred rupees and another two hundred, despite her reluctance to accept them. Some people from the crowd tried their level best to console her. She was from West Khasi Hills, around Nongstoin. She had probably saved that amount over many months, bit by bit. Upon inquiry, I was informed about the “increasing incidents,” of pickpocketing in the crisscrossing lanes of the bazaar, which has become a cause for serious concern.
I observed that the absence of a helping hand and lack of “stern action” have emboldened such thugs to enter the market areas to exercise their nasty craft. One wonders, how long should such poverty-stricken people be left to be looted? Should the authorities remain indifferent? An incident of this kind should serve as a clarion call for both the government and law enforcement agencies.
As a concerned citizen, I wish to draw the urgent attention of the police department, including the Mylliem administration and government authorities, to take this menace with utmost seriousness. It is time to adopt stringent measures to deal with merciless pickpockets and also burglars who are active late at night. Protecting the vulnerable poor should be the top priority of the government. We need to restore a sense of security for those who entirely “depend” on this legendary market. This commercial center is their only means of livelihood. The government must be compassionate and wipe away their tears. Let us offer hope to those who have long suffered in silence.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong