Editor,
I recently read D Bhattarcharjee’s letter titled “Protectionism or Progress,” published in your esteemed daily on July 17, 2024. The letter eloquently addresses a pressing issue in our society. Drawing from my own experiences, I would like to contribute additional perspectives to this discussion.
Once upon a time, I too was a labourer, toiling each day to earn a modest wage by making bricks and working on construction sites. Each brick I crafted earned me just 50 paisa, a stark reminder of the hard physical labour I endured. From mixing cement and sand to carrying heavy materials like sand, cement, and stones, I did it all alone, under the constant scrutiny and pressure of my boss. Despite the challenges of cold weather and the relentless demands of the job, I persevered silently, driven by the necessity to provide for my family.
Reflecting on my own experiences, I cannot help but empathize deeply with today’s labourers, especially those who leave their families behind to work in unfamiliar places. Their sacrifices are immense — enduring harsh conditions, uncertain futures, and now, the added threat to their safety posed by current circumstances.
It’s crucial that we recognize and appreciate the pivotal role these labourers play in our lives. The roads we travel, the buildings we inhabit, and the schools where we learn are all made possible by their tireless efforts. While we rest safely at night, they brave the elements and physical strain, ensuring our communities continue to grow and thrive.
Let us extend empathy and gratitude to these unsung heroes of construction. They deserve not just our applause, but our unwavering support and advocacy for fair working conditions and dignity. By understanding their challenges and respecting their contributions, we can truly honour their hard work and resilience.
When considering the challenge of employing local labourers, my experience has highlighted a prevalent difficulty: the reluctance among many to pursue labour-intensive work seriously. In today’s society, there’s a strong cultural inclination for children to aspire towards professions such as doctors, engineers, or office workers, rather than skilled labour roles. This preference often makes finding dedicated local labourers feel as elusive as searching for a needle in a haystack.
Furthermore, the plight of small shopkeepers deserves our utmost attention and recognition. These resilient individuals face ongoing challenges in maintaining their businesses, compounded now by additional threats. From managing rent payments and wages for their employees to navigating various conditions imposed by local authorities, their daily struggle is compounded by the imperative to ensure their families’ livelihoods. Many of these shopkeepers have deep roots in their communities, contributing not only to the local economy but also fostering generations of entrepreneurial spirit.
I earnestly urge contractors who engage labourers from outside the state to approach their responsibilities with compassion and foresight. These workers should not be treated merely as commodities but as individuals whose paperwork, safety, and overall well-being warrant meticulous attention. Their contributions are pivotal to the very notion of development we pursue.
Recognizing and honouring the contributions of local labourers and small shopkeepers alike is crucial. They form the bedrock of our communities and economies, each playing an indispensable role in shaping our collective progress. By valuing their dedication and advocating for their welfare, we can cultivate a more inclusive and supportive environment for all who contribute to our shared prosperity.
Let’s open channels for communication, address any misconceptions, and build bridges with others from different backgrounds. Let’s strive to leave a legacy of goodwill that resonates far beyond our borders.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request
Shillong-1
Need to fund sports clubs
Editor,
It is an honour for Meghalaya that the prestigious National football tournament the Durand Cup will be hosted right here in Shillong. We expect great teams, good footballing and a vibrant soccer loving crowd from all over to come. The State Sports Department and the Chief Minister have been doing their best to put Meghalaya on the football map. However, what would be an added motivation is for the State Government to streamline funding to registered clubs in various sporting disciplines so that they are able to meet their necessary requirements and also with a foolproof mechanism to ensure that they adhere to guidelines set by the Sports Department. Many a times whenever sportsmen or women go to participate in international events they lack funding to support their basic needs. Hence if the state government is serious in following its sports policy in letter and spirit then this initiative would be a source of inspiration.
Yours etc..
Dominic S.Wankhar,
Shillong 3
Bye-election results indicates that India is matured democracy
Editor,
Results of bye-elections in seven states show that democracy has matured in India. First, BJP lost the Ayodhya seat in thr Parliamentary elections and now lost the Badrinath assembly seat in Uttarakhand which indicates the maturing of democracy in India. The same is reflected in results of Himachal Pradesh, also known as Devbhumi where BJP tasted defeat in two assembly seats and the worst position for BJP is in West Bengal. The bye-election to Punjab shows that now voters are intelligent enough to distinguish between assembly seats and the parliament elections as the Congress party had won this seat with huge margin but now the Congress party is at third place in the bye- election.
The bye-election results are an eye-opener for the present government and for the future assembly elections which are to be held in the coming four- five months. Such events indicate the future trends and in this regard I quote two examples.
The first example is of UP when the candidate of Congress being run by Indira Gandhi defeated the sitting chief minister T.N.Singh ad due to this one seat Congress controlled by Indira Gandhi won the other elections also. The second example is of Sharad Yadav who was the first candidate of Janata Party when he defeated Seth Govind Dass who has not lost any election in last 50 years. It was a record as the second candidate was Churchill who had not lost any election in 50 years.
It is a good sign of a mature democracy and it has demonstrated that freebies are not a guarantee for fetching votes.A common person is tired of inflation and unemployment and Government has no definite programme to solve both problems. On the basis of religious slogans no party will get votes which is evident from the above results.
India is the largest democracy in the world and the entire world is watching the events in India after the elections when the BJP is running a Government dependent on the support of the other parties. While the present government is speaking against dynastic politics but the common man is least concerned about it.
At the grassroots level the public impression is that Government agencies are being misutilised against the Opposition parties and when the same person joins the BJP all corruption charges are dropped. Such feelings undermine the democratic set-up and the Government should refrain from it.
In this regard many examples are being circulated in the media. The present political scenario is such that every step of the Government will be countered by the Opposition parties as now BJP had declared Jun 26 as Samvidhan Hatya and the Opposition had declared it the day of demonetization and end of jobs.
Every citizen of the country wishes for a strong Opposition so that issues of the public should be raised in Parliament.
Yours etc.,
Yash Pal Ralhan,
Via email