Editor,
The densely populated village of Mawprem and its adjoining areas have been pushed into a state of distress due to an acute and unacceptable shortage of water for the past six consecutive days. Shockingly, this crisis has struck barely a week after a similar abrupt disruption, yet again without any prior warning to the public. For a basic necessity like water, such repeated failures are nothing short of inhuman.
It was reported through your esteemed daily that the current disruption is due to the bursting of a main water pipeline at HQ 101 Area, and that water supply would remain suspended for four days. But does merely issuing a public notification absolve the Government of its fundamental responsibility? If corrective measures were truly effective, how has a four-day disruption now stretched to nearly double the promised duration? This glaring gap between assurance and action exposes a serious lack of preparedness and accountability.
While the PHE workers may be putting in their efforts, the ground reality reflects otherwise. Residents—children, elderly persons, and patients alike—are forced to struggle daily for every drop of water. Life cannot be paused while authorities calculate timelines.
Even more disturbing is the deafening silence of our elected representatives—the Shillong MP, MLA, and MDCs. In a crisis of this magnitude, their inaction is unforgivable. At the very least, temporary emergency measures, such as arranging private water tankers to refill public water tanks, should have been taken to ease the suffering of the very people who elected them.
This letter must be treated as an SOS call—a desperate appeal from citizens who feel abandoned. Water is not a luxury; it is a basic human right. Continued neglect of this crisis will only deepen public anger and erode trust in governance.
We demand, not request immediate intervention!
Yours etc.,
Krishna Chettri,
Via email
Need to observe decorum in public life
Editor,
Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I wish to express my deep concern over a recently circulated video showing the MLA of Mawlai Constituency publicly scolding an engineer for arriving late to a scheduled inspection of a road construction project.
There is no dispute that punctuality, discipline, and accountability are fundamental to effective public service. However, these principles must be upheld within the bounds of institutional decorum. Publicly humiliating an officer especially with the apparent intention of recording the episode for circulation on social media undermines the dignity of public institutions and reduces the serious business of governance to a spectacle.
The incident also exposes a troubling double standard. It is not unusual for members of the public to wait for extended periods for politicians attending programmes as chief guests, yet such delays are seldom questioned or criticised. Accountability cannot be selectively enforced, nor can discipline be demanded of officers alone while elected representatives remain beyond similar scrutiny.
Regrettably, the growing trend of public rebuke amplified through social media appears less aimed at administrative reforms and more at garnering cheap publicity. Political leadership must be measured by vision, integrity, and the ability to deliver effective governance, not by performative acts designed for digital applause.
It is hoped that this episode will prompt serious introspection among those in public office and reaffirm the need for restraint, maturity, and respect in the exercise of authority. Only then can public leadership command both credibility and moral authority.
Yours etc.,
Dr. Omarlin Kyndiah,
Via email
A transformative victory
Editor,
As a resident of Nongkseh, I take immense pride in the remarkable achievements of the Nongkseh Sports Social & Cultural Club, whose historic triumph in winning the SSA First Division League and the SSA Super Cup 2025 has etched a golden chapter in the annals of Shillong football.
These victories are not merely trophies added to a cabinet, they symbolize years of perseverance, belief and collective effort. More importantly, they reflect a larger transformation in the footballing landscape of Shillong—one that has been shaped and strengthened by the unwavering involvement of the community.
The resurgence of football enthusiasm in Nongkseh has been nothing short of inspirational. The active participation, encouragement, and passion of the residents played a decisive role in motivating the players and the club management alike. Football once again became a shared emotion, a unifying force that brought together people of all ages and backgrounds under one banner.
One of the most powerful sights this season was the SSA Stadium witnessing full-capacity attendance after many years. The packed stands, the chants and the sea of supporters clad in club colours were a testament to how deeply the club’s journey resonated with the people. It reaffirmed the idea that when a community stands firmly behind its team, extraordinary things can happen.
The success of Nongkseh Sports Social & Cultural Club goes beyond silverware. It has rekindled hope, revived interest and set a new benchmark for community-driven football in Shillong. The club has shown that with unity, grassroots support and vision, local football can thrive and inspire.
Perhaps this marks the beginning of a new era in Shillong football—one where clubs are powered not just by talent on the pitch, but by the heartbeat of the community off it. If that is the case, Nongkseh Sports Social & Cultural Club deserves to be celebrated as the catalyst of this promising change.
Yours etc.,
Fabian R Thangkhiew,
Via email
