Editor,
Leadership failure has brought the Congress party to its knees; the time for change is now
When Vincent H. Pala took charge as President of the Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) in August 2021, there was cautious optimism that the party would regain its lost strength. He was expected to unite the organisation, rebuild the grassroots, and inspire the youth. Four years later, that promise stands broken. The Congress in Meghalaya is today a party in ruins — leaderless, directionless, and irrelevant.
A quick look at the downfall: August 2021: Vincent Pala appointed as MPCC President. 2022–2023: Several senior leaders and 12 MLAs, including former Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, quit the party to join the Trinamool Congress. 2023 Assembly Elections – the Congress wins only 5 seats — it’s worst performance in the last 30 years. 2024–2025: More MLAs, district and block leaders defect to other parties. 2025 KHADC Elections – the Congress fails to win even one seat — its worst performance ever.
This is the reality under Vincent Pala’s leadership. From a party that once governed Meghalaya and had a presence in every district, the Congress now has no MLAs, a handful of office-bearers, and just one MP from Garo Hills.
Silence instead of accountability: In any organisation, when failure becomes this visible, leadership takes responsibility. But Pala has shown no urgency to act, no acceptance of mistakes, and no vision for renewal. He continues to occupy the top post even as the party collapses under him. His leadership has alienated veterans, frustrated youth workers, and created deep distrust within the ranks.
Congress workers on the ground feel abandoned. The communication gap between the leadership and the cadre has widened. Instead of inspiring confidence, Pala’s silence and detachment have only deepened the crisis.
Why immediate replacement is essential: The Meghalaya Congress cannot afford to wait for another election cycle. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) must urgently intervene and replace Pala with a dynamic and grounded leader who can rebuild from the grassroots. Leadership change now would send a strong signal — that the Congress still values accountability and renewal.
A new leader must prioritise three things: 1. Reconnecting with people and youth through active engagement and listening. 2. Rebuilding booth-level and block-level structures with transparent coordination. 3. Launching a clean, development-based agenda that speaks of livelihoods, jobs, and local empowerment.
The road ahead: Meghalaya’s young voters are restless for change. They want leaders who work on the ground, not those who cling to titles. The Congress still has loyal supporters and a legacy of governance, but it must act decisively before that goodwill disappears. If Vincent Pala truly cares about the party he leads, he should step aside gracefully and allow a new generation to lead. If he will not, then the AICC must do what is necessary. Every day of delay takes the Congress one step closer to political extinction in Meghalaya. The time to act is now.
Yours etc.,
By Nidahun Marbaniang,
Via email
True Essence of Diwali
Editor,
Was bursting crackers a part of Hindu religion? This is a pertinent and vital question raised by the editor in the editorial “Diwali: Noise versus light” (ST October 23, 2025). Deepawali, also known as Diwali, is one of the most celebrated festivals in India and across South Asia. It is a vibrant, multi-day festival that symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. The word Deepawali comes from Sanskrit: deepa (Lamp)+ avali (row), which means “row of lights.” It commemorates various mythological events, including Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, Lord Krishna’s triumph over Narakasura and Goddess Lakshmi’s emergence from the ocean during Samudra Manthan.
The celebration of the festival spans five days, each with its own rituals: 1. Dhanteras – Worship of wealth and health. 2. Naraka Chaturdashi (Small Diwali) which is a symbolic cleansing of evil. 3. Diwali (Main Day) where Diyas, fireworks and Lakshmi Puja are celebrated. 4. Govardhan Puja honouring Krishna’s protection and 5. Bhai Dooj celebrating siblings’ bonds. Homes are adorned with oil lamps (diyas), rangoli and twinkling lights. Families exchange sweets, gifts and prayers for prosperity. Beyond India it is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists globally. In Jain tradition, it marks Lord Mahavira’s nirvana while the Sikhs commemorate Bandi Chhor Divas when Guru Hargobind was freed from prison.
The bursting of loud crackers during festivals like Diwali is a relatively modern cultural addition, not a core Hindu ritual. Ancient Hindu texts like the Vedas, Puranas and Ramayana emphasize lighting diyas (oil lamps), performing Lakshmi Puja and sharing sweets to celebrate the victory of light over darkness. There is no scriptural mandate for bursting firecrackers. Firecrackers entered the scene and became popular in India during the medieval and colonial periods, influenced by Chinese pyrotechnics and later industrial production. Their use grew as a symbol of celebration but not as a religious obligation. Contemporary concerns are that high-decibel crackers raise issues around air pollution, health risks for elderly, children and animals as well as environmental degradation. Many communities now advocate for green crackers or silent celebrations to really honour the spirit of Diwali without harming public health.
Yours etc;
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email
When Diwali turns raucous
Editor,
There are states like Haryana, Tamilnadu, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Punjab which have banned the use of fire crackers to reduce air pollution during Diwali. The latest is the Bihar government which has banned the sale and use of all types of firecrackers, including green crackers, in Patna, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, and Hajipur. According to a circular issued by the Patna district administration recently, the decision follows a National Green Tribunal (NGT) directive aimed at maintaining acceptable air quality levels in these cities. It is therefore surprising that in the state of Meghalaya no such protective measures are taken. It is well known that the acrid smoke emanating from the crackers can cause sore throat, cough and difficulty in breathing for those already suffering from lung diseases. Yet fire crackers are allowed just to appease a section of society. Why? Are the rest of the citizens without a right to clean air and health?
Meghalaya is notorious for its weak implementation of every law. When the district administration has set a time limit of 10 pm to burst firecrackers why does it continue until midnight and beyond in places like Rynjah and Police Bazar. The worst part is that people are bursting firecrackers in the middle of the road with no concern for passers-by. I would call upon the citizens of Meghalaya and Shillong in particular to unite in a call to ban fire-crackers not only during Diwali but across all other festivals. In the past we never heard firecrackers being let off on Christmas eve. Now the Christians are mimicking the Hindus. On New Year’s eve too, firecrackers from all directions light up the sky leaving a trail of smoke. All this has to stop. Just because some bad practice was started by someone it does not mean that such a thing should continue and become a culture. The Government must show more concern for the environment. We deserve to breathe clean air.
Yours etc.,
Hamarbakyntiew Jyrwa,
Via email
