Editor
Space is not just a vast expanse of wonder. It is also a vast void where one could find oneself floating through a weight of uncertainty. What was supposed to be a 90-day mission in zero gravity unexpectedly stretched into more than nine long months. During that time, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore went through challenges they probably never imagined.
In the weightlessness of space, where even the simplest tasks become monumental, Sunita faced unforeseen predicaments. However, by breaking the glass ceiling, Sunita bravely endured what came her way. The long solitude never broke her spirit. Her resilience, in fact, ignites awe and sparks genuine inspiration.
And now, with her safe return to Earth, it’s nothing short of a collective victory for all of us. For millions of people watching, especially young audiences, Sunita is an intellectual idol. To be honest, at a time when so many young minds are increasingly drawn like moths to a flame by entertainers chasing the hollow fame of digital likes and views or misleading influencers, Sunita is undoubtedly a powerful reminder of what a real role model should look like. Needless to say, when our youth look up to the right role models, society undeniably grows healthier and stronger; but when the same admiration is “misplaced”, it can be deeply damaging.
Well, as she steps back onto Earth, Sunita brings with her the wisdom of space, including lessons in patience, discipline, fearlessness, and the sheer brilliance of human ingenuity. By all accounts, Sunita’s journey is not one of space but one just of possibilities that arise when one dares to dream and fly higher and higher. Simply put, let us have as our youth icons those who move in the orbit of patience, courage, honesty, and human values — not those chasing fleeting fame or peddling empty ideals.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong
Self-sufficiency in food non-negotiable
Editor,
I was very happy to read George B. Lyngdoh’s article, “Meghalaya’s Food Sovereignty : The Need for Urgent Action,” because it is the most apt subject following the Budget Session. Without self-sufficiency in agricultural food production, there is no bright future for the people of the state.
The Budget, like all budgets these days, presents a fiscal deficit. What most people don’t understand is that the current system of money creation itself makes it necessary for countries to run a deficit budget. When we see that over 30% of India’s tax revenues go towards paying interest on public debts, we understand that the system is unsustainable. Central transfers to states will be squeezed sooner than later. When we further understand that the US exports inflation to the whole world by unrestricted creation of dollars, which in turn forces the countries that hold US dollars to create more of their own currency, thus causing inflation as well as increasing these countries’ internal debts, we can see just how unsustainable this whole system is.
And in the lowest rung of this untenable system stand states like Meghalaya, with high food imports, and high indebtedness. It is the most pressing need of the state to focus on self- sufficiency in food to survive the turbulent financial system. This includes not just food crops but all agricultural food produce. The fishery and piggery schemes have not made us self sufficient in fish and meat either. Apart from the points given by George B. Lyngdoh like organic farming, native seeds, and market linkages, there is also the issue of small land holdings, which makes it unfeasible for the farmers to invest in modern technology for large scale farming and irrigation. Thus, what we need is not land banks for outside investors but land banks for our own farmers, to facilitate a collective large scale farming unit and what we need is facilitation of investments in agricultural technology for such collective large scale farming units.
Needless to say, we need private investments in this sector too, and the government can indeed give much attention to facilitating this through creative ways, including as equity or royalty.
Yours etc.,
Kitdor H. Blah,
Via email
TB concerns in RPC Hospital Shillong
Editor,
India is going ahead aggressively to eradicate tuberculosis with the 100-day TB Elimination Campaign. Some national and private media persons visited Shillong a few days ago to witness first-hand the measures adopted by health centers in tackling the infectious disease. They have also visited the heritage Reid Provincial Chest Hospital, Shillong which is one of the few health institutions to cater specifically to Tuberculosis. This hospital has been severely neglected in terms of infrastructure and manpower and specifically, very minimal medical doctors. Although it is located in the heart of the city, the hospital structures are wholly of the British-era Assam type and in dilapidated condition. Many patients are being treated here including those suffering from multi-drug resistant TB, extensively drug resistant- TB etc. The World Health Organization says, “TB is spread through the air when people with lung TB cough, sneeze or spit. A person needs to inhale only a few germs to become infected.” However, this hospital becomes a thoroughfare and amusement park for the public during the day and also at night due to the absence of proper watchmen/security guards. This is a serious health concern as the people can become infected without safety measures in place. There is no proper fencing or boundary walls hence land encroachment is taking place thereby, reducing the total area of the hospital. The solar light panels installed are not functioning as well. The State Health Minister should take note of these issues and take steps to improve the infrastructure of the hospital for the benefit of the public.
Yours etc.,
Shamblar Byrsaw,
Shillong-2