Editor,
There has been much hue and cry surrounding the recent relocation of the roadside hawkers and vendors from Police Bazaar. Allegations and counter allegations have been flying thick and fast. While the intention of the government may be to decongest the area and organise street vending, the current approach—cramming hawkers into tiny slots in public spaces originally intended for parking vehicles—neither addresses the core issues nor respects the dignity and livelihoods of these vendors.
The approach seems more like fire-fighting than finding a permanent solution acceptable to all. Instead, it creates new problems while leaving better alternatives unexplored. Looking at the current approach taken, there is every likelihood that on one hand precious public spaces will be lost and on the other hand the hawkers and vendors will remain where they are, i.e. on the streets.
One such alternative worth considering in Khyndailad is the old Assembly plot. With the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly now relocated to New Shillong, the old assembly grounds stand as underutilised government land in the heart of the city. Why not explore the possibility of repurposing it in a way that benefits everyone? Adding up odd structures in the plot every now and then is not improving the aesthetics of the area. A plan to repurpose and redevelop this plot could be looked at by retaining a portion of the historic structure as a public museum to preserve its legacy. Develop underground parking to ease the chronic traffic burden in the area. Use one level to create a well-organised, hawkers’ market—offering a proper space for vendors and convenience for the public. All the hawkers of Khyndailad can be easily accommodated here. The rooftop could be transformed into a green urban space, offering a much-needed breathing space in the city center not just for the locals but tourists alike.
A design contest to get the best possible option could be explored. Similar approach could be explored for other localities of the city. This is just a suggestion, but one that reflects the kind of inclusive, sustainable thinking that Shillong could benefit from. It’s time we move from short-term patches which take away public spaces for meeting short term goals to long-term, thoughtful solutions.
Yours etc.,
Emica Nongkynrih,
Via email
Need to Balance Op-Ed Topics
Editor,
For the last couple of decades, my daily morning fix has remained the same: swirling a cup of coffee, and twirling the pages of The Shillong Times. I scan the headlines first and then straightaway delve into Page Six. The front page provides the breadth, of what happened the previous day, and the op-ed page provides depth, from readers, writers and editors.
The Shillong Times is fortunate to not only have a wide and enlightened readership, but also avid and active contributors, who supply a steady stream of stimulating letters and op-ed pieces. I found out recently that ‘op’ actually stands for being ‘opposite’ to the editorial in the page layout. But nowadays it is mostly used as an abbreviation for ‘opinion’.
The pressing issues of the day cover a wide variety of topics. Page Six will, or should, attempt to cover a balance of international, national, and local issues. Local issues perhaps deserve the most space and international topics, maybe the least space.
A survey of small city newspapers showed that local op-eds usually accounted for about half. Many such newspapers would prefer to have up to 90% of op-eds on local and state issues, but it is easier to run syndicated columns, than generate local content. It was widely felt by editors that focus on local matters yields more civic interest and engagement.
Meghalaya has urgent social issues, so education, health, economic topics need to be prioritised. In recent months, we have seen vigorous debates on the state of education in Meghalaya. These editorials, op-eds and letters have shown The Shillong Times to be an ideal forum to air comments and critiques about the dismal state of education in the state. Hopefully, politicians, policy makers and academic leaders have picked up on this discourse.
In my opinion there are far too many op-eds on culture, sometimes two or three a week. For an erstwhile oral society, perhaps it is important to have written documentation of our culture, but this is more the role of anthropologists and social scientists, rather than a newspaper. The recent far-fetched fantasy account of the Khasi people served no purpose. For an op-ed writer to stray into fiction writing, is a literary leap that rarely succeeds.
In a multi-ethnic secular society, articles on religious topics need to be carefully considered. While much of the world admires certain religious leaders, and their sermons on moral issues, these could sometimes be taken as parochial. Will the recent article on Pope Leo be balanced by future op-eds on religious leaders of other faiths? Playing to the religious sentiments of the Christian population is a kind of majoritarianism.
Yours etc.,
Larisha Nongkhlaw,
Via email
Need for Democratic Reforms in the Functioning of Dorbar Shnong in Meghalaya
Editor,
In Meghalaya, the Dorbar Shnong plays a crucial role in maintaining law and order, managing local affairs, and assisting the government in governance at the grassroots level. Traditionally composed of a group of men, the Dorbar oversees the administration of the locality through its head, the Rangbah Shnong, supported by subordinate committees including the Rangbah Dong and secretaries.
However, it is deeply concerning that women are systematically excluded from active participation in the decision-making processes of the Dorbar. This exclusion contradicts democratic principles and denies half the population their rightful voice in community affairs.
Furthermore, while the Dorbar derives legitimacy and customary authority under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, it suffers from a lack of structured organization and transparent electoral processes. In many localities, the same Rangbah Shnong continues to hold office for decades, often without any proper or periodic elections. This concentration of power not only undermines the democratic spirit but also opens the door to potential abuse of authority.
Need for Electoral Accountability:
To uphold democracy and prevent arbitrary exercise of power, it is imperative that:
1. Elections to the Dorbar Shnong should be conducted every 4 or 5 years.
2. No individual should hold the position of Rangbah Shnong for more than two consecutive terms.
3. All adult residents of the locality, including women, must have the right to vote and contest in these elections.
4. The District Councils must intervene to ensure the conduct of free, fair, and regular elections, including issuing guidelines or rules under appropriate legislative or administrative frameworks.
Such reforms will ensure transparency, prevent the monopolization of power, and promote inclusivity—especially of women and youth—in community governance.
This matter demands serious attention from both the State Government and Autonomous District Councils. Restoring democratic practices in the Dorbar system will not only empower the people but also strengthen grassroots governance and prevent misuse of authority. Ensuring periodic elections and term limits is vital for protecting the true spirit of democracy in Meghalaya’s unique traditional institutions
Yours etc.,
DK KharChallam,
Via email