Editor,
The latest defections of the three Congress MLAs of Meghalaya to the ruling dispensation has in no uncertain terms bowled over large sections of people. Paradoxically, to add a layer to this bafflement is the fact that these representatives in the preceding years, as Congress members, had vehemently been going hammer and tongs against the corrupt nature of the NPP led government. But, lo and behold, now they are floating on the very same boat and relishing the same morsels, being part of those at the helm of power. Incidentally, while reading public comments on social media, I could palpably grasp the widespread condemnations against the defector trio!
Reportedly, the raison d’etre advanced by the turncoats in question for fleeing to NPP was that their remaining on the Opposition side has unerringly undermined their status as MLAs, given the fact that virtually they couldn’t fulfil anything worth their salt for bringing any development to their respective constituencies and ushering in any social welfare scheme on which they are accountable for as MLAs. Be that as it may, such science of reasoning is fraught with lame excuses and the public will take the same with a pinch of salt !
Perhaps these lost sheep must be reminded of a stark instance by citing the example of one of their former counterparts, who has since expired, namely, Thranghok Rangad, who consistently represented the erstwhile Laban constituency. This upstanding member was also a representative who was sitting in the Opposition side and was very active in the Assembly debates. Notwithstanding the fact that he belonged to a saffron party, for which I have no love lost for but nonetheless I had an intrinsic respect for him. As an Opposition member, he never defected to the then ruling party. And despite being in the Opposition camp, he could sincerely bring about praiseworthy developments to his constituency. Rangad indeed epitomized rare integrity in the field of politics. Additionally, he was never consumed with a desire for any ministerial post but the latter dogged him relentlessly until, without changing his party he had occupied a key cabinet portfolio in the then government as Home Minister. No wonder then, MLAs need not invariably be part and parcel of the ruling party but representatives possessing moral fibre even from the Opposition can do yeoman’s service to their respective constituencies!
All things considered, from the public notions I happened to garner is that as the next State elections to the Meghalaya Assembly are hardly around forty months hence, these three fallen angels are obviously aware that their return to the august house in 2028 is markedly uncertain, so they want to may hay while the sun shines!
Yours etc,
Jerome K Diengdoh,
Shillong-2
Neither Smart City nor Smart Roads!
Editor,
The installation of LED Screens doesn’t define a city to be a smart one. If this is what defines a smart city then, so many cities in India would have that tag. Why is there a need for such screens? The common people fail to stomach this. Even in homes, televisions are rarely watched as people have no time, everyone is cooped up with their own mobile phones. Let’s not even begin with making the best use of those LED Screens across the city, they are just white elephants.
Making a city a smart one is when it has good roads, good drainage system, good transportation and you name it all. The list will go on, and none of those are seen in Shillong, not even one.
The internal roads of Shillong deserve attention, whether it is Nongrah, Lapalang, Jaiaw, Lower Mawprem, Lumkshaid, parts of Mawlai, the roads are all in dilapidated condition. One will have to rethink if these roads actually fall under the Shillong conglomeration. Smart cities don’t have these roads, and even if they do, they are immediately repaired for smooth plying of vehicles and commuters.
Certain government officers have encouraged citizens to walk; there are many who wish to do so as that comes with health benefits. How can they expect us to walk when pavements are reserved for the hawkers, and when the road infrastructure is crumbling, The puddles caused by inadequate drainage and damaged surfaces create hazards that result in office-goers being splashed by passing vehicles. Who do you blame here? The vehicle? The pedestrian? The road?
Complaints have been raised to the concerned department but they either turn their deaf ears and blind eyes to such complaints or simply state inexcusable reasons blaming the inclement weather. The fact that road construction is not practical in the monsoon season is acceptable but at least some repair works can be done temporarily to avoid any unforeseen accidents.
So when school students are late for school, don’t blame them or their parents, blame the traffic. Similarly, blame the poor condition of the roads for the late punch in of many working professionals.
Concerned officials should exercise their power and put in their best efforts and although the citizens are fuming and yet are silent about it, they still have hope for further improvement with regards to better infrastructure across the state. Good roads don’t require to be repaired annually. Engineers and contractors should work diligently in ensuring that the foundations are free from corruption and deliver us the best roads.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email
Serial heinous crimes against women
Editor,
A series of heinous crimes against women happened in Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, and Maharashtra in this month of August. On August 8, the mutilated body of a nurse at a private hospital was found in Rudrapur, Uttarakhand. She was allegedly strangled to death, and her head was smashed with a stone after being sexually assaulted when she was returning home from work.
On August 9, the body of a trainee doctor was found at the seminar hall of the R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. She had allegedly been raped and murdered.
On August 12, the body of a 14-year-old Dalit girl was found in a semi-naked condition in a pond in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar. She was allegedly gang-raped and killed.
On August 13, a teenage girl had allegedly been gang-raped inside a stationary private bus at the inter-state bus terminus in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
On August 22, the body of a 10-year-old girl was found in a field in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. She had allegedly been raped and murdered.
Again on August 22, a minor girl had allegedly been gang-raped in Assam’s Dhing.
On August 24, two minor girls were allegedly sexually assaulted in Badlapur, Maharashtra.
Amid the rising atrocities against women all over the country, we need to protest against each of these heinous crimes. It would be wrong to single out only the Kolkata rape and murder case for protest because all other incidents happened under a double engine government.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata