Editor,
I could not help but succumb to the urge of writing this note of appreciation towards the Transport Department for the important notification it had issued vide No.Com/Trans/MVACT/77/2019/Pt/4 of 18th July 2025.
For over 3 decades the state roads had been overburdened by the oversized overloaded trucks and other goods carriers. So rampant is the plague that we see trucks extend their body size to the optimum to accommodate goods double the prescribed limit. Modified oversized vehicles practically crawl on roads adversely affecting the roads.
Because of such activities (i) roads get worn within months of their construction or repair (ii) the vehicular traffic moves at snail’s pace affecting commuters thus creating a long line of traffic jam (iii) these outlawed vehicles also pose a serious threat to other vehicles that use the roads as they uncontrollably overturn at any slight disturbance or tyre burst.
It is a sight to behold; these vehicles do not dare to enter Assam to reach their depot or stockyards due to their oversized body structure and overloading.
For instance these truckers instead of going to their destinations via Athiabari and Boko then Guwahati and other destinations ahead, choose instead to travel all the way from Shalang to Shillong to reach Byrnihat via Mawryngkneng and Shillong Bye Pass. Some of them try to use the Mairang road – Rani Road and then divert to Umling toll gate via Lai Lad, all for the sake of avoiding entry into Assam because of the oversized structures and the overloaded conditions of their vehicles.
The Madanrting – Itshyrwat road is a good example to understand the gravity of the damage oversized vehicles do to the roads. The said route gets regular attention of the PWD yet repairs turn futile due to such vehicles. Moreover, this road is open to heavy vehicular traffic throughout the day, including ten and twelve wheelers, due to the massive construction works that are going on in New Shillong Township. Hence the move of the Transport Department is a step in the right direction because all roads in the state both old and new big or small are the important lifelines for growth.
Moreover, with the government taking road development and improvement on a war footing, it is necessary that the mentioned notification is implemented strictly or else all the efforts of making good roads will go down the drain.
Kudos to the bold move.
Yours etc.,
B. Pyngrope
Shillong – 6
India’s inherent strength cannot be ignored
Editor,
Apropos of the editorial “End of India-US bonhomie” (ST August 8, 2025), India should reassess its $3.78 billion defence contract with the United States of America particularly in light of recent geopolitical tensions and tariff escalation. The country has signed a $3.5 billion agreement to procure 31 MQ-9B drones from the US, with 15 for the Navy and the rest split between the Army and the Air Force. The Defence Acquisition Council has already greenlit Rs 1.59 lakh crore ($18.5 billion) in domestic procurements this year alone, reinforcing the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) agenda. India is emphasizing co-development and co-production over direct imports. This includes negotiations for joint production of GE F414 fighter jet engines with Hindustan Aeronautics. A $520 million contract was also signed with General Atomics to establish a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in India, aligning with India’s push for domestic defence infrastructure.
The Trump administration recently imposed a 50% tariff on Indian goods, citing India’s oil imports from Russia and India has rightly called these actions “unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,” and vowed to protect its national interest given the hypocrisy of the Trump administration which itself imports nuclear and chemical fertilizer from Russia while EU and Turkey import oil. India’s stand on Russian oil imports is non-negotiable, prioritizing energy needs for 1.4 billion citizens. Holding back or renegotiating the defence contract sends a message about India’s strategic autonomy.
Modi’s diplomatic outreach has been bold, expansive and deeply personal but recent developments suggest that its outcomes are mixed, especially in the face of transactional geopolitics. Despite personal rapport with Trump, India now faces a 50% tariff hike over Russian oil imports. Modi’s refusal to compromise on energy sovereignty has led to stalled trade talks while the government’s stand on agriculture and dairy is appropriate given the American agriculture and dairy industry which is highly subsidised. Modi’s diplomacy has undeniably expanded India’s global footprint. But in a world where economic leverage often trumps personal rapport, India’s assertive stance especially on energy security and trade sovereignty is being tested. I do not agree with the editorial that the Prime Minister’s “diplomatic outreaches in the past have not produced desired results.” In fact, the outreach which has not failed is entering a phase where strategic recalibration is essential.
Yours etc.,
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email
Sex education is critical
Editor,
The write up by Toki Blah captioned “Sex and our Children” (ST Aug 6, 2025) was very educative and interesting. Yes, we often come across instances of teenagers engaging in sexual encounters for want of proper guidance by parents, elders and the society too. Teenage is said to be the turning point of a child’s life. At the onset of puberty, a boy/girl starts soaring high on their wings of sweet imagination. Life looks like a bed of roses during the teenage years. Advice from the parents and elders of the family are considered as hurdles. They seek to know and understand their biological changes and are tempted to experience it through sex. It is the age where they are often seen blundering their way through life. An impulsive act can lead teenagers to make decisions without considering the consequences. But it is also true that teenagers are not so naive that they would not understand the consequences of their blunders. Despite that many teenagers fall into such thoughtless acts and repent for life.
It is not wise to squarely blame parents over their children’s upbringing. It’s hard to expect poor parents who toil and sweat through the day for two square meals to also have the time to guide their children and keep an eye on them. Even children from affluent families are seen falling into the rut of teenage pregnancy. It is a social problem that needs to be discussed in society. Counselling our children has become popular in recent days and it can help in correcting our children from taking the wrong step. Parents are also requested not to put pressure on their children to score high grades when that is beyond them for that will make things go from bad to worse.
Yes sex education at the higher secondary level school is imperative .
Yours etc.,
Deepak Chhetry
Tura.