Editor,
It is quite a feeling of joy and excitement of every Shillongite that the first phase of the much- awaited Shillong – Tamabil road is perhaps just a few months away before we can finally use it. Driving from third mile up to Banuiñ is breathtakingly beautiful; with wider open road unobstructed by any huge structure; flanked by endless beautiful trees and houses which dot some of the sides of the road, rendering a feeling of pure joy and satisfaction at having seen development that simultaneously accentuates or enhances the natural beauty of our beloved hill station. But no sooner had one savoured this beauty when suddenly there appeared a blot on the landscape, an eyesore, at once claustrophobic, tasteless and a complete monstrosity! A Flyover! Whose lower walls supporting the road rises up to the size of a three storied building- the style usually adopted by highways in Meghalaya. I’m afraid this is the same architectural style about to be adopted for the flyover running from Rilbong to Barik point!
Shillong’s grandeur and heritage pride is in the heart of the city ; in its rolling hills, beautiful pine trees and colonial structures, offering not only a pleasant spectacle for visitors but adding real and exotic value to the place for the locals as well as a the stakeholders outside our state who genuinely praise and cherish it. The latter however, over the past few years have mourned and are surprised at our society’s reckless modernist attitude overlooking the very thing that we should be proud of. Some of those who share a piece of their heritage in Shillong are culturally more attuned and once even protested hopelessly against one of its heritage building’s destructions only to receive no support from any locals. In fact, some local netizens mocked at them for mourning over the destruction of an old fashioned structure, not knowing that we are the ones that should be mocked at for our ignorance and lack of heritage awareness. Our society overlooks the value that this town is known for which makes us at once not pro-development advocates but reckless modernists.
Mega constructions like a flyover in the heart of the city, should be avoided if it is just a showpiece of development to feed the pride of the authorities in power and the ego of the stakeholders. This may ruin the exotic grandeur of Shillong. Instead, leaving the road to a wide spaced open four lane stretch is more practical, in order not to make the flyover an eyesore but to make the project that enhances, maintains and reclaims the glory and grandeur of the city . If at all the structure is necessary, it should be done keeping in mind that the structure should not be another blot in the landscape. It should not be erratically done but should be planned in order to enhance, reclaim and maintain the beauty that the place is known for. One suggestion is to perhaps use supporting pillars for the flyover just like in any other city of the country and the world instead of the high-rise walls to avoid ruining the city making the place look tasteless, claustrophobic and bleak.
Yours etc.,
Bethania Sohtun,
Shillong 14
Nurses suffer burn-out and untimely payment of salaries
Editor,
The letter to the Editor: “Burnout in Nursing: Why it Matters” by Khushi A. Sangma (ST Jan 13, 2026) while spelling out the emotional exhaustion that nurses are going through in their daily lives, the writer not only speaks for the nurses in Garo Hills but also about similar stress that nurses in the state are going through. One would like to add that contractual nurses at the Civil Hospital, Shillong are also going through not only emotional and mental stress but a lot of financial stress as well as they do not get their salaries on a regular basis. Imagine not being paid for months after fulfilling one’s duty. Without a regular income they struggle to meet the basic needs of food, rent, electricity bills, medical expenses, school and college fees of children, transport, etc. With prices of essential commodities ever increasing, how can they meet their monthly expenditure when even those who receive their salary on time face the pinch? How can they run their homes? Isn’t it a grave struggle for them? Prolonged non-payment of salary will definitely lead to anxiety, depression, frustration and helplessness. Having studied so hard and after working hard yet not getting a salary after every month leaves any sane person with a feeling of uncertainty about their survival and the future.
An assured income at the end of every month allows individuals to budget their expenditure without worry and anxiety. Timely payment helps allocate funds for savings, insurance and emergencies while also bringing about stability to the management of the house, encouraging long-term planning for children’s education, health and security in the future. Most importantly, an assured salary at the end of every month provides psychological reassurance. Knowing that one’s efforts and fulfilment of duties and responsibilities will be duly recognised and compensated brings peace of mind and reduces stress, thereby enhancing productivity at work.
Strengthening the healthcare system means strengthening infrastructure and facilities as well as strengthening the morale and spirit of the caregivers. Sangma has correctly pointed out that nurses are individuals that cater to the care and safety of their patients. Why should they be denied timely income that belongs to them? Give them their salary regularly for they deserve it.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email
