Editor,
I guess all of us recognize our very own Dy Chief Minister, Bah Prestone Tynsong for his wisecracks and jokes. His latest however on the “Mebanshem Snaitang scandal” relating to the impersonator’s links to top Cabinet Ministers , takes the cake. Lets accept that in our society, especially for wannabe somebodies, this rubbing shoulders with the rich and the powerful; basking in their media shadow has become a fad. These wannabe somebodies will go to any length to be like the icons they want to be. Dress like one; pose like one; tinted car windows ; make believe security features armed with toy guns, you name it. The icons, usually political bigwigs on the other hand , encourage such idiocy as the pretenders are often eager to provide “under the table” services which are usually considered politically imprudent to obtain openly. Thus both parties believe the relationship is mutually beneficial and thus actively encourage this Respectability by Association.
Now to get back to Bah Tynsong’s “Certificate of Innocence” to his fellow politicians, I fail to see the reason why he has to ask his cabinet colleagues of their acquaintance with the detained imposter. Snaitang is now a social pariah. He is an embarrassment. A political untouchable! To admit any association with the chap at this juncture would be political suicide. Any politician worth his salt will lie through his teeth to prove he is totally ignorant even of Snaitang’s existence. Don’t believe me? Just look at the desperate measures Donald Trump is taking to disassociate himself from his former buddy Jeffrey Epstein! My point, Bah Tynsong, is that your cabinet colleagues’ declaration of innocence on the issue carry no credibility. But why the need to prove association or disassociation with the Pretender? Is it really that important? If it’s really that important the easiest thing to do is to search on the hundred and one CCTVs that cover every inch of the Secretariat. These reliable electronic tools will clearly show (a) if Snaitang is a frequent visitor to the Secretariat (b) The rooms he loves to frequent. There’s no need for this song and dance to convince us. All of us are already convinced, beyond the shadow of doubt, of the existence of a “High Level” society there on that Hill.
Yours etc.,
Toki Blah,
Via email
Strategy to address road congestion in Shillong city
Editor,
The land from Umshyrpi upto Barik is government owned land belonging to Government of India and State Government. Portions of this land must be made available to the public for widening of roads including construction of a fly-over bridge so as to ease the congestion of traffic on this portion of the road. Shillong city requires a 6(six) lane flyover from Barik to Umshyrpi.This flyover will serve the city for the next 30 years or so and particularly now, as the city is choked with massive traffic snarls, with several choke points at Civil Hospital, Rhino, Anjali petrol pump and Umshyrpi. It is much needed to widen the road with a 6 (six) lane flyover. The PWD Barik and Umshyrpi points will be inter-connected from one road to the other, maybe with floral designs. So no construction of any kind should be allowed at PWD Bariik. This place will become an inter-connectivity between roads/flyover and if there is any space available let it be a parking lot for all vehicles including transit passengers for taxis, buses and tourists cabs. To construct a 6(six) lane flyover requires that the road is first widened; then construct a 3-lane flyover on the new land acquired. The existing road should not be disturbed so as to allow normal traffic flow. When the first flyover is completed and traffic can ply on it, then construct another 3-lane Flyover. The Government should invite experts preferably from Japan involving the Japan International Cooperation Agency to study the traffic snarls and congestion and they will advise and recommend to the State Government the plan and design of the project.
Yours etc.,
TS Basan
Shillong
From Protected Status to Empowered Citizenship
Editor,
Across India, several communities with relatively small populations benefit from constitutional protections aimed at preserving their cultural identity and ensuring equitable development. Yet, a persistent sense of insecurity seems to prevail amongst these communities. No doubt these protections were essential and instituted with noble intent. However, after decades of political and administrative authority, demands for additional protections frequently surface. This raises a critical question whether these safeguards, over time, nurtured resilience or fostered dependency? Rather than encouraging engagement with broader societal challenges, excessive and prolonged protection may have created a comfort zone that discourages competitiveness and innovation.
In contrast, communities like the Sindhis, Parsis and Jains in India offer a compelling counterpoint. Despite lacking a territorial homeland or constitutional privileges, they have preserved their distinct identities and flourished across India. Their success stems from adaptability, enterprise and a quiet confidence in their cultural worth—without invoking state protection or expressing existential anxiety.
Thus, true preservation does not lie in seclusion or insulation. It needs confident engagement with the economy, with education, with arts and with the wider world. The goal, therefore, should be a gradual transition from protected status to empowered citizenship.
Yours etc.,
NK Kehar,
Shillong-3
Standing Together for Shillong’s Youth
Editor,
Shillong, our beloved City, is bearing a growing wound with the scourge of drug addiction. What once lingered at the margins has now struck at the very heart of our homes, schools, and youth. It has torn apart families, stolen dreams, and chained lives in despair. The pain is heavy, but hope remains for the light of Jesus Christ still shines in the darkest night.
Among the most vulnerable are our young people. Our sons and daughters, once full of hope and life, are being lured into the trap of drugs. They search for belonging, for peace, for escape, yet too often they are deceived into paths that destroy instead of heal. Dreams of education and future service are shattered before they can take flight. In this, we see not simply the failure of society, but hearts crying out for meaning, for love, for hope. And it is here that we must proclaim: no youth is beyond the reach of Christ’s redeeming love. Every young person enslaved by addiction is still God’s beloved child, marked by His image and worthy of restoration.
The task before us as families, communities, and the Church is urgent and sacred. We cannot allow our generation of young people to be lost. Awareness alone is not enough; we must walk beside them with Christlike compassion. Jesus welcomed the broken and weary; so must we. We must open doors of healing, encouragement, mentorship, and prayer, showing our youth that they are seen, valued, and destined for greater things in Christ.
This battle is not that of the government or law enforcement authorities only. It must be fought with prayer, faith, and the unity of a community rooted in God’s love. Where society is quick to condemn, we must extend grace. Where the world points fingers, Jesus stretches out His hands to lift the fallen.
Our broken youth can be made whole, families restored, and our generations set free to dream again. Let us hold fast to God’s promise:
“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14
Yours etc.,
Chanmiki Laloo
Shillong -2