Editor,
The special article “Politics like nature abhors a vacuum” by Patricia Mukhim (ST April 4, 2025) is a compelling analogy. Just as nature fills voids with new elements, politics tends to fill power vacuums with new leaders, ideologies, or movements. When there’s a lack of leadership or direction, it creates an opportunity for others to step in—sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. This dynamic can lead to rapid change, but also instability if the transition isn’t managed well. It reminds me of how revolutions or shifts in governance often arise when existing systems fail to address people’s needs.
Those who don’t lean to the future will get sucked into the past, is really a thought-provoking sentiment. It suggests that progress and adaptability are crucial to growth, both for individuals and societies. Dwelling too much on the past, or resisting change, might hinder one’s ability to move forward and thrive in an ever-evolving world. History can be a teacher, but it should not be a cage. It is almost like saying the past is the foundation, but the future is the horizon we must aim for.
“The Political Brain” by Drew Westen which Mukhim refers to is an interesting read, the author argues that voters are driven more by feelings than by logic or policy details. He challenges the traditional view of the mind as a rational calculator, showing that emotions like values, imagery, and moral sentiment dominate decision-making. The book delves into how political campaigns succeed or fail based on their ability to connect emotionally with voters. Westen emphasises that elections are won in the “marketplace of emotions,” where candidates must appeal to voters’ feelings about parties, principles, and personalities. He provides examples from the American presidential elections to illustrate his points and offer insights into how political messaging can be more effective. It is a fascinating read that flips conventional political analysis on its head.
Yours etc;
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email
Limitations of Aadhaar in Ration Card Verification
Editor,
Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to residents of India. It simplifies identification and verification, enhances access to government services and subsidies, and strengthens national security.
Currently, ration card verification is being conducted across all fair price shops in Shillong. Beneficiaries whose names appear on their respective Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration cards are required to authenticate their identity using fingerprint verification. However, if a beneficiary’s fingerprint is not linked to their Aadhaar card, they are instructed to visit the nearest Aadhaar Kendra to update their biometric data.
A major challenge arises for elderly individuals whose fingerprints have faded due to age, making it impossible for them to update their biometric data. As a result, these vulnerable individuals—who are most in need of government subsidies—are unable to complete the verification process, thereby losing access to essential benefits.
It is important to acknowledge that Aadhaar-based verification is intended to ensure that BPL benefits reach only genuine beneficiaries. However, the inability to link fingerprints has led to the exclusion of elderly individuals from these critical subsidies. Therefore, the concerned authorities should consider alternative solutions, such as granting exemptions for elderly beneficiaries or implementing an offline verification mechanism, to ensure they continue receiving the support they rightfully deserve.
Yours etc…..
Krishna Chettri,
Shillong-2
Taming the dragon’s breath in NE India
Editor,
In 2006, Mohammad Yunus who wrote his autobiography “Banker to the Poor: Micro-Lending and the Battle Against World Poverty” and a stalwart for the rights of the poor, a modern day Robinhood arrived to usher a global microcredit movement. Muhammad Yunus is a household name but this same saviour now the Chief Advisor of the present Bangladesh Government made an immature statement about Northeast India saying that since the region is landlocked, Bangladesh can provide the seven states access to the sea for trade and commerce.
Yunus’ recent visit to Beijing to discuss the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project (TRCMRP) was the centrepiece of the discussion amongst 2.1 USD billion in loans and investments. The Chinese have always used unrestricted warfare in various domains to alter the international political landscape. In a news item in The Economic Times, dated March 6, 2025, Paresh Baruah the exiled chief of ULFA, allegedly relocated to China and in the XishuangBanna Dai region of Yunnan from Ruili, near the Arunachal Pradesh-Myanmar border.
A write-up in January 2024 from the Observer Research Foundation titled ‘The Digital Silk Road in the Indo-Pacific: Mapping China’s Vision for Global Tech Expansion’ by Sameer Patil and Prithvi Gupta gives a 360 degree view of how the dragon’s breath has reached from companies, undersea cables and surveillance tools. Recent events highlight the importance of prioritizing India’s national security in the North Eastern Region and working in collaboration with our neighbours. This requires a strong political will.
Yours etc.,
Christopher Gatphoh,
Via email