Touching story of Daphi
Editor,
Salil Gewali’s letter in your daily titled “Why Daphi shouts for our attention” (ST November 27, 2023) is a real picture of a farmer’s life. Discussed in touching words, the letter has revealed the simplicity of farmers and their hard struggle for the living. Gewali’s narrative not only highlights the physical labour of Daphi but also her emotional strength and resilience despite her husband’s terminal illness. This is one example, and there are many women living in such difficult situations. The price bargaining by the town people over a small bunch of mustard greens shows their complete lack of appreciation for the labour of poor farmers. Gewali’s personal gesture of giving winter clothes and caps to Daphi’s children shows empathy and kindness, setting an example for others.
Gewali has effectively used a simple narrative to deliver a deeper message: the need for empathy and respect for the farming community who toil to bring food to our tables. My question is why the leaders are so uncaring of farmers’ suffering. Bithon Sangma also in his letter “Give farmers their due,” pointed out that leaders just give lip service but do nothing to address the hardships faced by the farming community. There is no point in occasionally purchasing vegetables from roadside vendors and sharing those photos on Facebook and Twitter. Our leaders have no vision. I believe the recent Farmers’ Parliament is just hogwash. It will bring no relief to the poor cultivators. My request to the town people is to show your kindness by not exploiting the simple-hearted farmers. There is no harm in giving extra money to them because they will use that to purchase essential food items to feed their children.
Yours etc.,
Marbud Pyrbot,
Mawtneng, Ri Bhoi District
Restricting of road width at Mawiong Rim
Editor,
The indiscriminate dumping of excavated soil at a busy turn of the GS Road at Mawiong Rim in a particular stretch between the Rymbai petrol pump and the Toyota showroom for some months now has become an eyesore besides restricting the road width of the busy national highway. This random dumping of loose soil which has encroached into the busy stretch of the road has gone unnoticed to the concerned authority for several months now and it has become a free for all in the unloading of excavated materials from construction sites at this particular spot. This highly irresponsible action has clogged the side drain running along the stretch of the road, thereby affecting the flow of rainwater which eventually spills onto the highway leading to a rapid deterioration of the newly laid road surface. Therefore, it is imperative that the concerned department take immediate steps to check such random disposal of rubbish by the roadside which may lead to accidents.
Yours etc.,
Stanley LK Diengdoh,
Upper Nongjri, Umsning
Transgression by two-wheelers
Editor,
The subject as cited above is what I believe many of the residents of our state have been noticing over several years now since the burgeoning of two-wheelers on our roads and most recently after the fateful accident in Mawlai.
With the overburdened traffic situation in and around the city, commuters have rapidly started commuting on two wheelers. Although it may have advantages (such as avoiding traffic), there is also a downside to it’s usage. Users are seen violating certain laws. To be more specific, breaching of ‘No entry,’ locations, over-speeding, their lack of patience and lack of proper documents i.e. a driver’s license, and above all, being ill-mannered and a adopting a couldn’t care less attitude.
This does not only pose a threat to the daily pedestrians but also to themselves. As seen in the most recent unfortunate events, parents should have second thoughts before letting their child own a two wheeler or a car if that child is still under-age. It is also important to implement speed limits that are actually enforced so that all abide by the rules in order to avoid needless accidents and loss of lives.
Breaching of ‘No entry’ locations should be a punishable offense. As we try to find solutions that would help ease the traffic, daily commuters have to learn how to adapt to these changes and respect the decisions put forward by localities and the Police department for a harmonious environment. A “hush hush” conversation over this matter won’t do much good. It is time to come up with more stringent laws that must be enforced without hindrance.
A humble request also goes to the Police Department to bring back the daily checking of under-age drivers by ensuring that all documents are in order. The residents too should work unitedly for the avoidance of unfortunate events in the future.
Yours etc.,
C. Lyngwa Rapthap,
Via email
Justice delayed is justice denied
Editor,
After Stan Swamy, Umar Khalid has become the face of the legal maxim, justice delayed is justice denied. He has already spent over 1,170 days in jail after being arrested in connection with the Delhi riots on September 14, 2020. Given his bail plea has again been adjourned to January 10, 2024, his stay in jail waiting for justice is going to cross at least 1200 days.
Earlier Stan Swamy, the 84-year-old Parkinson’s disease patient, was arrested on October 8, 2020. He moved court seeking permission to allow a straw and sipper on November 6, 2020 so that he could drink liquid. He had to wait for a month to get them on December 4, 2020. But he could not get bail in his lifetime. Ultimately, death liberated him from jail after 9 months of his wait for justice on July 5, 2021.
On the other hand, the half-yearly report of Hindutva Watch, a US-based research project, documented 255 incidents of hate speech gatherings targeting Muslims in the first half of 2023. As per the report, one third of these gatherings explicitly called for violence against Muslims. The judiciary, which is the only institution to redress political bias and excess, is unfortunately overburdened.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata