Editor,
Thanks for allowing me to write again. The current double-laning of Mawroh – Mawkynroh- Umjarain road leading up to ISBT which is long awaited is nearing completion. Thanks to the PWD Roads and the contractors for making this happen although it has taken almost 3 long years for this to happen. However, I would once again point out as a lay person that the quality of work is not up to the standard laid down for road construction. I have travelled on good and solid roads of other states and neighbouring Assam etc. All I can say is that road is of poor quality. Roads constructed by renowned firms/groups as per specifications are always good and will last for years.
This much awaited road is only a few months old and we can see the unevenness , especially at night when the lights are on. Smoothness is a concern because the thickness of the bitumen is very poor. The uppermost layer should have been 6 inches or more to make it last longer, smoother and bear the load of heavy vehicles. Moreover, some turning or bend needs widening for safety in driving.
Currently we do not know who the contractors undertaking this important task are. This road is already busy and traffic will be huge once it is fully completed. I do not know how long the road will last. Finally it is the public will be the losers and sufferers in future. I would request the PWD Roads to please conduct a proper spot inspection and supervision to examine the quality of work before giving the completion certificate. I would request the engineers and subordinate officers of PWD to act immediately as this road is under construction and nearing completion pending the drainage system. Please, do not leave the work to the “contractors” alone. All we want to see are good quality roads in our district and Shillong City and not substandard roads now and in future.
Across Shillong, roads are in a very bad shape. Whether you drive in a new or old car, the roads will shake and jolt your car. Thanks to the G20 meeting in recent months, it has really helped to repair the broken roads. But sadly, in selected destination only. Constant repairs and patch work anually or biannually has damaged the smoothness and quality of the roads. It is requested in public interest that good roads be constructed to make our city proud . I hope our respected leaders under MDA 2.0 will deliver the work with commitment and make Shillong proud. This is written in public interest and not to criticise or offend anyone.
Yours, etc.
Reward Rymbai,
Shillong
Winter capital vs MBOSE!
Editor,
Of late several Garo welfare associations have been holding demonstrations in some focal parts of Garo Hills to pressure the Government to initiate plans to make Tura the winter capital of Meghalaya. It’s certainly, and in a matter of fact, surprising that in the pre- bifurcation of Meghalaya from composite Assam, Shillong has earned the sobriquet: ‘Scotland of the East,’ besides adorning itself as one of the premier capitals of the North-East. It may also be pertinent to recall that the then Gauhati city was much more favorably convenient to be the true capital of entire Assam than Shillong in terms of roads, railroads, air connectivity and much else. Nonetheless, the Assamese never pestered for any winter capital in the then Gauhati
Paradoxically, the current unrest in Garo Hills to move the winter capital from Shillong is euphemistically to snatch its handed down legacy to some extent. In my individual inquisitive survey to feel the genuine reactions of the conscious citizens of Khasi-Jaintia communities on the said on- going demand of the Garo people, it transpires that the former have averred their firm reservations against such unprecedented demand of a so- called winter capital! In view of such critical discourse, I’m being reminded that the entire Garo populations rose to a man in preventing the shifting of MBOSE 0ffce from Tura to Shillong and some laid down their lives several years ago; hence, they reiterated that now it’s, ipso facto, for the Hynñiewtrep people to muster courage in ensuring that no move is effected in transferring any part of the capital from Shillong. Nevertheless, they are in complete consent that an agreement could be hammered out if the Garo community allows the transfer of MBOSE lock stock and barrel from Tura to Shillong! I’m at a loss to imagine how such perverse narratives of the agitators would lead our state of Meghalaya to hereinafter.
Yours etc.,
Jerome k Diengdoh,
Shillong-2
On Lumpy Skin Disease infecting cattle in Meghalaya
Editor,
Lumpy skin disease has resurfaced in Meghalaya again and the disease is suspected to have spread due to movement of animals from one market to the other. It is not a zoonotic virus, meaning the disease cannot spread to humans. It is a contagious vector borne disease spread by vectors (insects, mosquitoes, flies, lice and wasps). According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) , infected animals shed the virus through oral and nasal secretion which may contaminate common feeding and water troughs. Thus the disease can spread through direct contact with the vector or through contaminated fodder and water. Studies have also shown that it can spread through animal semen during artificial insemination.
The symptoms of the disease include oedema in limbs, dewlap and brisket region, high fever, reduced milk production, loss of appetite, watery eyes and it can be fatal. Moreover, cutaneous nodules develop within 48 hours of onset of fever. The incubation period or the time between infection and symptoms is about 28 days according to FAO, and 14 days according to some other estimates.
The outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) has affected many states in India. The outbreak has resulted in huge economic implications for dairy farmers, which is exacerbated by the spread of misinformation through social media even after recovery from the disease.
There is no specific treatment for LSD. However, supportive care, including antibiotics as necessary for secondary bacterial infections , can be helpful. Wound dressings have been used to reduce fly strike and secondary infections.
The best part is we now have a vaccine to control the disease. In addition to vaccine to prevent infection the Veterinary Department recommends keeping cattle clean and advises bio-security measures to be strictly enforced as well as isolation of the affected animals to prevent future LSD incidence.
Government of Meghalaya AH and Veterinary Department has issued an advisory to all the cattle farmers to contact the helpline numbers which are already provided district wise for the treatment, vaccination and any other information related to control of LSD. The Director, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary said vaccination drive has begun in the state to keep the disease at bay. The disease is under control and no big numbers of deaths of cattle have been reported.
Yours etc.,
Larimon Shylla,
(PG Student ,1st year, College of Veterinary Science , Khanapara)
Via email