Editor,
Thanks to the brilliant decision of the state government’s think tank, the days of roadside extortion and chaotic parking will soon return to Shillong, but in a legalised form. This statement is borne out by past experience. In the earlier decades, a significant number of multi-storied parking lots were constructed by the Urban Affairs Department with the objective of clearing the narrow roads of Shillong of the menace of on-street parking and its accompanying problems. This was done after a lot of thought and study. Now, with a stroke of the pen of a brilliant strategist, the entire policy is changed. Parking lots are being converted to hawkers’ markets, and roads are becoming parking lots. We will soon be back to the days of restricted road widths and everyday arguments and fights with the parking fee collectors. In no time, the roads of Shillong will be a free-for-all scene with all localities coming up with their own rules on roadside parking and parking fees and vagabonds and miscreants turning into fee collectors.
Is the Government so desperate for money that roads, which are meant for the movement of vehicles, are being converted into parking spaces? After all, every day we hear of hundreds of crores being sanctioned for this project or that by the Government of Meghalaya, so why this decision now? If this decision is a part of the Traffic Policy, then the Policy is wrong and needs to be reviewed. In all probability, this Policy must have been drawn up by some outstation expert. After all, we are a consultant/expert-run state, and people are dumb.
The strategy should have been to create more off-street parking facilities and free the road of street parking, allowing for free and smooth movement of vehicles. While we talk of decongesting Shillong on one hand, on the other hand, we continue to reconstruct new office buildings without a care about where the vehicles will park. The area around the Third Secretariat is a clear example. It is sad that we do not learn from past experiences, or is it that people making such decisions now were not around to experience what had happened before?
Anyway, things happening around reminds of the song Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, the future is not ours to see.
Yours etc.,
B.Dutta
Shillong 1
Trolling Hurts: Message from a Local Artist
Editor
Artists have always faced criticism, but in today’s world, it has turned into something much worse trolling. Whether you are a singer, dancer, or actor, people on social media now feel free to say anything without thinking about how it affects us. This has caused many artists to feel depressed, anxious, and even led some to take their own lives. Most people think trolling only happens to big stars from Bollywood or TV, but that’s not true. It is now happening in our own city Shillong. Sadly, I experienced this myself. One night around 2:00 a.m., I was checking my phone when I saw a comment on my YouTube channel. It was in Khasi and said: “Chi! Ym ler re rwai tang jingrwai Dkhar. Balei ioh Kmie Kpa Dkhar ne?” (“Chi! It’s not good that you only sing Bollywood songs. Are your parents not Khasi?”) Another person wrote: “You are a shame to our Khasi Jaitbynriew (community).” Then someone messaged me directly saying: “Who will pay money to some idiot like you for your singing?” There were many more comments, some too vulgar and rude to even repeat.
As an artist, it was painful. I sing because I love music. I don’t believe music should be limited by language or community. But here I was, getting hate just because I sing Bollywood songs and not only Khasi songs. It makes me sad to see how some people have become so quick to judge and insult. In our society today, many feel they can say anything online without caring how it affects others. They forget that behind every artist, there is a human being with feelings.
Trolling is not just “fun” or “a joke.” It can damage someone’s mental health, self-confidence, and peace of mind. No artist deserves that. We cannot stop everyone from trolling, but we can create a system that protects artists. Here are some of my suggestions:
*A way to report online bullying more easily and take quick action.
*Mental health support for artists, especially young or upcoming ones.
*More respect and encouragement from society instead of hate.
I believe it’s time for all artists singers, dancers, painters, and performers to stand together. We need to speak up against trolling and support one another. When we unite, we are stronger.
To my fellow artists, if you’ve ever been trolled or bullied, please know that you are not alone. Your work matters. Your voice matters. Don’t let anyone make you feel small for following your passion. Let’s create a society that lifts people up; not one that tears them down.
Yours etc.,
Evanisha Pathaw. (Singer/Poet),
Via email
Why Meghalaya is stagnating
Editor
This is with reference to Napoleon Mawphniang’ s article titled-The Great Distraction(ST August 4, 2025. This whining about the presence of outsiders and the constant harping on identity as impediments to the progress of Meghalaya has been an ongoing chorus for many decades. It is not a new phenomenon.
We fought for a separate state with the hope that our progress would be in leaps and bounds. It did not happen. Forty odd years ago we resorted to violence and ‘ outsiders’ who remained here were hounded out of the state. We said we would now move ahead much faster once they are replaced by our own people. It did not happen.
Bah Mawphniang feels that the constant harping on identity, culture, tradition are mere distractions and that we should concentrate on issues like corruption, governance, ,education, health care and so on and move ahead. I would like to stress that these issues have been thrashed out for years and years-every time a government changes – but there has been little improvement if at all. There are some good men at the helm but they are in the minority.
Personally, I think progress is impeded by the total lack of empathy. Once the elections are won and the lofty seats are occupied a huge chasm divides the elected and the electorate. It happens almost overnight and it’s shameful. Suddenly, there is very little communication and a total lack of care and empathy. To add to this is the absence of love for and pride in one’s jaidbynriew and the genuine desire to take it forward.
That is why the Khasi and Jaiñtia Hills are in this condition in every aspect. We must cultivate a sense of responsibility, of self-worth and accountability.
Yours etc.,
Bijoya Sawian,
Via email