Editor,
The report, about the Meghalaya mine worker who returned home alive after his own cremation in Assam’s Sribhumi is truly a story that has me questioning if we’ve stumbled into a Bollywood script or a zombie apocalypse rehearsal. As a resident of Meghalaya (hello from Shillong, where the hills are alive, but apparently not as alive as Shyambabu Sinha), I couldn’t help but chuckle at this macabre mix-up.
Picture this: Poor Shyambabu, presumed dead in that February 5 explosion at Thangskai in East Jaintia Hills, gets a full send-off with mourning, cremation, and the works. His family consigns what they think is him to the flames, only for the man himself to knock on the door three days later like, “Honey, I’m home – and not extra crispy!” Authorities are now “scrambling” to figure out whose body they handed over? Scrambling? That’s egg-cellent detective work; perhaps they should check if it was the mine’s resident ghost or a body double from a low-budget thriller.
This isn’t just a case of mistaken identity; it’s a resurrection worthy of Lord Shiva himself – the ultimate god of destruction and, apparently, dramatic comebacks. One can only imagine the family’s reaction: “We burned you! How are you not toast?” And Shyambabu: “Must’ve been my day off from the afterlife.” Kudos to him for turning a tragedy into the ultimate “not dead yet,” prank. But seriously, folks, if this doesn’t highlight the perils of rat-hole mining and the need for better identification protocols (DNA tests before pyres, anyone?), I don’t know what does.In the spirit of hilarity amid horror, let’s raise a toast (non-flammable, please) to Shyambabu’s second life. May his story inspire safer mines and fewer fiery faux pas. And to the mystery corpse: Rest in peace, whoever you are – you’ve got quite the plot twist in your obituary.
Yours etc., (In bewildered amusement, a still-alive reader from Meghalaya)
Yours etc.,
Anil Thapa,
Via email
Heartless Defence Authorities
Editor,
It is truly disheartening that the Defence authorities have rejected the Meghalaya Government’s proposal to construct a flyover from Rilbong to Barik, citing security reasons. This particular stretch of road is a nightmare for ordinary commuters who are forced to endure traffic congestion on a daily basis. For the higher echelons of society and military personnel, however, movement restrictions, “no entry” signs, and “no right turn” rules hardly seem to pose any inconvenience. They are protected from the everyday struggles of the common people, for whom being trapped in traffic is not just an occasional inconvenience but a persistent ordeal.
Being caught in traffic jams is not a new experience for regular commuters, but familiarity does not diminish frustration or the urgent need for relief. The presence of defence land in the heart of the city, acting as a stumbling block to urban development, appears increasingly unreasonable in a rapidly growing urban centre like Shillong. While the government is reportedly exploring alternative routes and identifying viable land to ease traffic congestion, such delays and detours only prolong the suffering of the public. The needs of ordinary citizens, who contribute to the city’s economy and social life, must be prioritised in any development agenda.
Moreover, one fails to comprehend the intensity of the security concerns associated with the construction of a flyover. If security were the overriding issue, then road widening should be viewed with similar apprehension. Yet, widening roads is essential to decongest traffic. With the number of vehicles on the road increasing by the day, it is imperative that urban infrastructure be upgraded to accommodate the growing pressure on the city’s limited road network.
The outright rejection of the flyover proposal by the Defence authorities also raises concerns about their willingness to part with any land for a four-lane road along the same alignment. Such an inflexible stand could hinder not only traffic solutions but also other urban development initiatives in the future. While national security is undeniably important, it should not obstruct civic progress. A balanced, consultative approach that considers both security requirements and public welfare is the need of the hour. A city that does not address the needs of its people will not progress.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email
Advancing Equity for Marginalised Communities
Editor,
The recent UGC regulation, though currently stayed by the Supreme Court, has sparked an important national debate on advancing equity for marginalized communities. It has also shown that limiting affirmative action only to educational institutions is inadequate. Without broader equity measures across society, prejudices and discriminatory attitudes will persist in general category students long after they leave campus. Affirmative action must therefore be extended into every other domain of public life to achieve lasting social justice.
While laws such as the SC/ST Act provide essential safeguards, they cannot fully address the discrimination faced by marginalized groups. The Government has introduced commendable initiatives such as exclusive hostels, entrepreneurship hubs, free coaching, fee waivers, scholarships, and reservations in education and public employment for SC/ST/OBC students. However, similar transformative interventions must expand into other sectors as well to ensure holistic upliftment.
In this context, the Government must consider establishing premier institutions on the lines of IITs, NITs, and IIMs, staffed and managed exclusively by and for SC/ST/OBC individuals. At least one medical college in every state could also be established under the same model to strengthen representation in healthcare. These institutions would not only provide education but also cultivate intellectual leadership among historically disadvantaged groups. By ensuring representation of SC/ST/OBC students, teachers, researchers, and administrators, they could become national centres of excellence rooted in social justice. Such moves would not violate any of our cherished constitutional principles but would be equivalent in spirit to reserved legislative seats and dedicated SC/ST political cells, which are core features of our society.
Beyond education, affirmative initiatives should also be explored in strategic sectors such as aviation. A public sector aviation enterprise with exclusive participation of pilots, engineers, staff, and management professionals from SC/ST/OBC communities could become a powerful symbol of mobility and inclusion. Representation in such high visibility professions would further challenge entrenched biases and inspire future generations.
Sports is another frontier where discrimination remains widespread. Players from reserved categories often face bias in selection due to the absence of strong safeguards. Cricket, given its cultural influence, may be an obvious starting point for correction. Proportionate reservations in India’s famed national and regional squads would uplift SC/ST/OBC players, build confidence among marginalized communities, and drive broader social change.
Finally, the higher judiciary remains one of the most important yet exclusionary pillars of Indian democracy, with no affirmative policy to ensure representation of SC, ST, and OBC communities. Only a handful from these backgrounds have entered the upper judiciary, often through extraordinary resilience. This imbalance needs to be corrected through immediate legislation to introduce affirmative measures, ensuring justice is not only delivered fairly but also symbolically strengthened through an inclusive bench.
Thus, a comprehensive approach combining legal safeguards, institutional reform, representation, and awareness across all sectors is essential to achieve equity, dignity, and inclusive development. This vision aligns with the constitutional mandate of substantive equality and is the clear path forward for India as a society and a nation.
Yours etc.,
NK Kehar,
Shillong-3
