Editor,
The state’s capital Shillong has been hit particularly hard by the water crisis with multiple local media reports suggesting that people are now being forced to ration water.
For the ones who can afford it, purchasing water from tankers still remains an easier resort, but for the majority, the only option is resorting to alternative, often unhygienic, sources. This includes local streams and rivulets where effective effluent treatment does not exist.
Even Sohra, once the world’s wettest place, has been suffering. As per the report, a water loss of 20.5 percent takes place pre-consumption in the process of water getting treated and then transmitted to the main reservoir. Following that, the measure of unaccounted-for water — or water that has been produced and is wasted even before it reaches the consumer — is steep where losses are more than 50 per cent. This means that in most situations, leakages and siphoning go largely untraced.
The long-term consequences of the water crisis are concerning for Meghalaya, which could not only have severe implications for agriculture and biodiversity but impact the overall socio-economic fabric of the state.
Currently, residents are also battling severe power crisis due to insufficient rainfall and receding reservoir levels, with power cuts in the state ranging from 8-10 hours daily.
Some positive suggestions to the Government of Meghalaya regarding this are imperative. Implementing efficient water management practices, such as rainwater harvesting and watershed management, can help replenish water sources. Investing in water treatment systems and improving irrigation techniques can reduce wastage and pollution. Raising awareness about water conservation among the public and encouraging responsible water use is vital. Additionally, policies that promote sustainable water allocation and management are essential for long-term solutions.
Pollution control & better sewage treatment – Without proper sanitation, the water becomes polluted and unsafe to drink. Hence addressing pollution, measuring and monitoring water quality is essential. Besides, improving the sewage systems in specific areas can prevent water scarcity from becoming any worse.
Awareness & Education – Education is critical to solve the water crisis. To cope with future water scarcity, it is necessary to radically reform all forms of consumption, from individual use to the supply chains of large companies. For the first time a label proves the economic profitability of solutions that protect the environment. The Solar Impulse Foundation is selecting 1,000 solutions that protect the environment in a profitable way and awarding them the Solar Impulse Efficient Solutions Label.
Reclaimed water – Rainwater harvesting and recycled wastewater also allow to reduce scarcity and ease pressures on groundwater and other natural water bodies. Groundwater recharge, that allows water moving from surface water to groundwater, is a well-known process to prevent water scarcity.
Sustainable water management – Improving water infrastructure must be a priority, as water conservation and efficiency are key components of sustainable water management. Solar desalination and smart irrigation systems are great examples of clean technology for water efficiency and control. That obviously applies even more to the agriculture and farming sector – the largest consumer of water.
Yours etc.,
Susana Kharmujai,
Royal Global University, Dept of Journalism &
Mass communication
Via email
Defending the eastern skies: Drone warfare
Editor,
The drone market in the United States is estimated to be around $6 billion and the pilots who operate this swarm technology do not care about the legal ramifications. Now to witness the use of drones in our own backyards is appalling. The drone attacks in Manipur are not only a cause of concern for the state but for the upper echelons at the Prime Minister’s Office. Where did such high end technology fall into the enemy camp? Or were they armed by foreign intelligence agencies to create a proxy war? Whatever the reasons, it has serious implications for our national security, with the Eastern Air Command having permanent air bases including forward air bases here.
The article released by the Perspectives on Terrorism, “Taking Fourth-Generation Warfare to the Skies? An Empirical Exploration of Non-State Actors’ Use of Weaponized Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs-‘Drones’)” shows how the enemy has become resourceful and adaptable.
The Modi leadership should start gearing up to resolve the crisis to bring some semblance of order in Manipur. In 2023 the Indian Air Force (Eastern Air Command) conducted its annual command level exercise ‘Poorvi Akash’ which tested its air assets capability the same state of operational readiness and having air defence systems could provide a strong level of defence against aerial threats.
India’s defence deals with the Israelis go back to Operation Blue Star and the back-and-forth agreement was even mentioned in an exclusive report by Al Jazeera – ‘Israel-Palestine conflict – India exports rockets, explosives to Israel amid Gaza war, documents reveal.’ If so, why not employ microwave weapon for drones or an Integrated Drone Detection and Interdiction System which could offer some protection for civilian zones. Currently employed on the northern borders this would be a fundamental change for the Northeastern part of India.
The book, “Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine,” by Andrew Roberts and David H. Petraeus is a study as to why leaders and commanders regularly fail to read the writing on the wall.
Yours etc.,
Christopher Gatphoh,
Shillong-10
Three teachers
Editor,
India won zero gold, one silver, and five bronze medals in the Paris Olympics. Vinesh Phogat could have won a gold medal for India, but she was disqualified in the finals for exceeding the stipulated weight by 100 grams, and as per the rule, she got no medal. Interestingly, she was within the stipulated weight during her journey to the finals, where she defeated Tokyo Olympics champion Yui Susaki. Her being denied a silver was as tragic as the way she, along with other wrestlers, were treated by law enforcing authorities when they were protesting peacefully against the sexual misconduct of the then president of the Indian Wrestling Federation.
However, her relentless struggle from childhood, her solidarity and fight along with other wrestlers who were wronged; her remaining undefeated in the Paris Olympics is worth more than an Olympic gold medal. The fighter in her is an inspiration for the people of our country and for the wrestlers in particular. She is a role model for all of us. She did not retreat in her fight to safeguard democratic principles. She is also a role model for young wrestlers. They can learn from her how to stay on the wrestling mat with dignity.
The result has come in no time. Neha Sangwan stayed up all night to make a garland of currency notes to welcome her idol, Vinesh Phogat. After a week, the youngster gave an even bigger gift to the champion wrestler by winning the Under-17 World title in the 57 kg category. Neha hails from Balai, the village of Vinesh in Haryana. On winning the title, she said, “It’s a huge thing for me, and this title is for Vinesh didi and all the women wrestlers. Vinesh didi remains an inspiration for all of us.”
Vinesh Phogat is not just a wrestler but a real fighter for a larger cause. She showed us how to peacefully protest against injustice. She, along with Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, raised a storm of relentless peaceful protests on the streets of New Delhi. Vinesh joined in the protests at the cost of her preparation for the Olympics. She gave top priority to the struggle to banish toxic sexism from the wrestling arena.
Now, let us shift the spotlight from Vinesh Phogat to two extraordinary mothers. Neeraj Chopra’s javelin earned India’s lone silver in the Paris Olympics. He got a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics. But had to be satisfied with a silver because Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem created a new Olympic record with his gigantic throw and got the gold in the process. These two javelin throwers got gold and silver for their respective countries by using perfect techniques, muscle, nerve, and lung power. But their mothers got the real gold medals by displaying the power of their hearts.
When asked about her son’s loss to Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, Neeraj’s mother, Saroj Devi, said, “The one who got the gold is also like our son.” Arshad’s mother, Razia Parveen, also highlights the eternal truth. The truth is that all of us have descended from one African woman, and therefore, we all are brothers and sisters. On Neeraj Chopra, Razia Parveen said, “He is also like my son. He is Nadeem’s friend and also his brother. Wins and losses are part of the sport. May god bless him. May he win medals. They are like brothers. I have prayed for Neeraj, too.”
These two mothers’ love echo in the song, “Imagine there’s no country/ It isn’t hard to do/ Nothing to kill or die for/ And no religion, too/ Imagine all the people/ Livin’ life in peace”. Eternal peace blooms when love transcends man-made boundaries of countries and religions.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata