Editor,
With the polls for the Meghalaya Cricket Association set for December and representatives from every district gearing up, the entire cricket community now waits with bated breath to see whether we’ll actually get new leadership… or just the same old faces doing their usual victory lap.
As a cricket enthusiast, I’m hoping for change and that too real change, not the “new packaging, same product” kind. Because judging from the nominee list, a few people seem to have turned their seats into permanent property. And yes, maybe it’s time we asked what exactly their achievements have been. (Spoiler: travelling around to watch IPL and international matches and posting about it doesn’t exactly qualify as achievements and administrative brilliance.)
Change is supposed to be constant, right? Yet somehow, when it comes to certain individuals running the show, the only thing that’s constant is them (by hopping from one post to the next). And when the same people stay in power forever, things tend to slide into complacency and all the delightful problems that come with it.
Fresh ideas and fresh people that’s how any organisation moves forward. hence, we need people with good cricket knowledge, integrity and ability to speak their mind not just another “Yes Sir” chorus line (which, let’s be honest, we already have plenty)So I say bring in the ex-politicians (politics is everywhere even in places where there is no politicians), lets bring in the ex-bureaucrats, technocrats, coaches, and former players who’ve actually contributed to the sport and put them in positions where they can contribute to the sports.
Imagine this: ex-coaches and ex-players in the apex and technical committee. Radical, right? And maybe, just maybe, we could have a real former player with actual credentials representing players in the apex body, instead of someone randomly plucked from outside the fraternity just to fill a seat. And how about appointing coaches based on contribution, experience, knowledge, and qualifications rather than on recommendations and friendly nudges?
So here’s hoping this election is about progress, not the same routine dressed up as change.
Yours etc.,
Leonard Wankhar,
Via email
Give credit where its due!
Editor,
Recently, I came across a post on social media that caught my attention. The message read:
“It’s funny how many students think the Chief Minister is giving scholarships from his own pocket. Most of the scholarships we apply for actually come from the Government of India. Scholarships are our right, and praising a leader for providing them makes no sense, they’re simply doing their job.”
Reading this, I felt it was important to share a different perspective, one that I believe reflects the actual situation on the ground. Over the past few years, we have all seen the comment sections on social media fill up with the same complaints: “Sir, where is our scholarship?” “When will the amount be released?” Students waited months, sometimes years, for updates, often stuck between procedural delays and central funding issues. It was a constant cycle of uncertainty.
This year, however, something changed. When delays occurred at the central level once again, the State Government stepped in, using its own resources to release the second and final instalment of the Post Matric Scholarship for 2024–2025. As a result, nearly 70,000 students received financial support before Christmas, instead of being left waiting endlessly.
To me, that is not a small gesture. It is a deliberate and proactive decision – one that required financial planning, administrative coordination, and a clear understanding of what students are going through.
Some say the Chief Minister is simply “doing his job”. Perhaps so. But even within the role of a government, not every leader takes initiative when higher delays occur. Not every administration chooses to shoulder an extra financial burden to protect students from hardship. This time, the State Government did. And I believe it is important to acknowledge that. If the State had not taken matters into its own hands, students would still be waiting, and the comment sections would once again be filled with frustration and appeals for help. Instead, the funds were released promptly, ensuring that families could breathe a little easier during a crucial time of the year. In the final analysis, I feel we must be fair.
Criticism has its place, and accountability is important. But so is giving credit where it is due. When a government steps up to ensure timely support for thousands of students, amid delays beyond its control, that effort deserves recognition.
We cannot ask for action and then refuse to acknowledge it when it happens.
Yours etc;
Jack Syiemlieh,
Via email
Shillong requires urgent traffic guidelines
Editor,
As we are all aware, traffic congestion has become part of daily life for Shillongites and it is causing grave inconvenience apart from loss of precious hours which no one takes note of. In this connection, I wish to draw the attention of the concerned authority for immediate examination of the following suggestions:
1. Increase frequency of SPTS/STEM buses.
2. Cover all localities.
3. Make school bus use compulsory (Engage SPTS/STEM buses) for all schools including elite schools that continue to refuse to use school buses.
4. Set different school timing for different schools.
5.Identify embarkation and disembarkation points for public transport and strictly implement those.
6. Charge high parking fees in commercial areas.
I also appeal to the Shillongites to refrain from indisciplined driving and to obey traffic rules as this may also help ease traffic movement to a reasonable extent.
The above suggestions are made considering the present infrastructure of Shillong but in the coming days some more stricter measures are to be adopted like widening of roads , construction of flyovers, construction of parking lots etc. as the number of vehicles are added to Shillong roads daily.
The State Government may explore the possibilities of constructing a flyover over Wah Umkhrah river starting from Nongmynsong to Mawlai. This will reduce traffic congestion along the Nongmynsong- Polo route and also reduce driving time, save fuel, control pollution etc and even address the issue of flooding.
Yours etc,,
Krishnendu Deb,
Via email
