Editor,
The unmatched tranquillity of Mawlynnong village has attracted countless visitors and they have always left the state with a deep sense of gratitude and admiration. Unfortunately, it has also attracted an insensitive vagabond recently, whose disgusting act left a bitter taste in the mouths of the entire state. I dare say, to call such a person a Hindu would be an insult to the religion itself. He is nothing more than a moron with base instincts, as reflected in his vulgar YouTube videos. The core principles of Hinduism are rooted in love, tolerance, compassion, “purity in action” and respect for all living beings, as also pointed out by Sudarshan Dasgupta through his letter – “Denouncing violence and respecting the sanctity of all places of worship” (ST, December 31, 2024. Hinduism does not condone actions that hurt the sentiments and feelings of others. This is called “adharma”.
Ramakrishna, a revered Hindu saint, out of great respect, immersed himself in diverse religious practices in his quest for spiritual truth, epitomizing “interfaith respect.” During one profound moment of intensive meditation, he envisioned Jesus Christ, whose radiant form approached him in a spiritual embrace. In that divine moment, the figures of Ramakrishna and Jesus merged, symbolizing the unity of all religions and the “oneness of divinity”— a truth that can be realized by any ardent devotee through practices. Such examples invariably remind us that the path to true spirituality lies in love, compassion, and service — not in divisive acts or disrespect toward others’ faiths.
Hence, every sane citizen should vociferously condemn such people with godless proclivities. They certainly deserve “exemplary punishment” so that others will not dare to repeat such acts. Needless to say, sacred traditions, symbols, and spaces of any religion are not arenas for mockery or divisive rhetoric. No one should be allowed to make religion a playground for cheap publicity stunts.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong
Land a critical factor of production
Editor,
Apropos of the news “Paul Lyngdoh not in sync with UDP stand on investment plan” (ST December 31, 2024). Paul Lyngdoh, Minister Tourism and Art and Culture etc; has rightly stated, “I don’t think it is the right approach to just oppose without suggesting an alternative,” on the Meghalaya State Investment Promotion and Facilitation Act MSIPFA). In fact, opposing without suggesting an alternative often means criticizing or rejecting an idea, policy, or action without offering a constructive solution or a better option. This approach can be seen as unproductive because it focuses solely on the negatives without contributing to progress or improvement. Constructive criticism, on the other hand, involves not only pointing out flaws but also proposing viable alternatives that can lead to better outcomes. One fails to understand how there can be alienation of land when the Government of Meghalaya will own the land and it will only lease to the corporate entities or companies. Let us not be misled by rhetoric of those who simply oppose for the sake of opposing but have no ideas to suggest. Businessmen say that an idea is 75 paisa and to implement that idea you need 25 paisa.
The factors of production are resources used to produce goods and services. They are typically classified into four main categories, namely, land, labour, capital and entrepreneurship. Land includes all natural resources used in production, such as land, water, minerals, and forests. Land is considered a passive factor as it provides the raw materials needed for production. Labour refers to the human effort used in the production process. It includes both physical and mental work contributed by employees, workers and managers. Capital includes all man-made resources used in production, such as machinery, tools, buildings and technology. Capital is essential for increasing productivity and efficiency. Entrepreneurship involves ability to combine the other factors of production effectively. Entrepreneurs take risks, innovate, and make strategic decisions to drive economic growth and create value. These factors work together to produce goods and services, driving economic activity and economic growth. The Minister has aptly stated “We have now reached a stage where our people are no longer job seekers but are job creators. Why should we not be able to find 500 or 1000 entrepreneurs to form their own companies, and take the land on lease through this policy?”
Land Banks play a crucial role in fostering industry and economic growth. Some of the key reasons why they are important. 1. Land banks help in utilising unused or underutilized land efficiently. This can lead to better land management and reduce wastage of valuable resources. 2. By providing pre-cleared and ready-to-use land parcels, land banks simplify the process for businesses to set up operations. This reduces delays and bureaucratic hurdles, making it easier for industries to start and expand. 3. A well-maintained land bank can attract both domestic and foreign investments. Investors are more likely to invest in regions where land acquisition is streamlined and transparent. 4. By facilitating the establishment of industries and businesses, land banks contribute to overall economic growth. They help in creating jobs (not government jobs which are saturated in Meghalaya), boosting local economies and increasing Gross Domestic Product (GDP). 5. Land banks promote transparency in land allotment, reducing chances of corruption and land disputes. This creates a more favourable environment for business operations. 6. With comprehensive data on land availability, infrastructure, and connectivity, land banks enable investors to make informed decisions about where to set up their businesses. By addressing these aspects, land banks play a pivotal role in driving industrial development and economic prosperity. The Minister has rightly stated that “Land is an asset which stays with the government. The question that the ownership of land will go to the entities from outside does not arise”. The Minister has also given a classic example of big tourism projects which has a great future in Meghalaya.
Yours etc;
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email
Furore in parliament unwarranted
Editor,
Through this esteemed daily I wish to express my anxiety over the matter of not allowing parliament to function each time the parliament session begins in this country. It has become routine to create furore in parliament which is said to be the temple of democracy. The manner in which some of our so called representatives behave in parliament is not at all a good sign of healthy politics in the country at present. It is a stigma for those good parliamentarians whom the country once rewarded as good parliamentarians. The temple of the democracy once used to be filled with good politicians like PV Narasimha Rao, Atal Behari Vajpayee, Somnath Chatterjee, Indrajit Banerjee and many others that the country can still boast of.
Creating furore in parliament denotes the inefficiency of our representatives. The mistaken notion that noise can suppress good reasoning is really a matter of great concern today. Noise culture has started enveloping parliament in recent years in the country reducing it to a fish market.
There should be a law in the country to rid parliament of such objectionable scenes and to restrict rude and uncultured politicians by curtailling their allowances. The scene creators should be suspended for whole parliament session irrespective of the party the MP belongs to.
Yours etc.,
Deepak Chhetry
Tura