My articles in Newspapers
My Letters to Dainik Samayik Prasanga
Letter no: 1
Published in DSP on 17th February 2017
This is regarding the non-acceptance of card payments by merchants in the crisis situation created after demonetization.
My Letters to Dainik Jugasankha
Letter no: 6
Published in DJ on 20th July 2012
This is regarding the poor condition of Silchar-Shillong-Guwahati Highway. The heading reads "Polio affected national highway" !!
Letter no: 5
Published in DJ on 2nd November 2011
Letter no: 4
Publishe in DJ on 5th July 2010
Letter no: 3
Published in DJ on 26th June 2010
Letter no: 2
Published in DJ on 22nd April 2009
Letter no:1
Published in DJ on 22nd April 2009
My Letters to The Shillong Times
Letter no: 1
Published in: The Shillong Times.On: 23rd August 2003.
Delight after a decade
Sir,
I am very grateful to Home Minister R.G.Lyngdoh for his commendable efforts to celebrate the 57th
Independence Day with the people of Shillong despite the bandh called by the HNLC. I congratulate him on his success in celebrating it peacefully. After a decade, I-Day was celebrated in Shillong with so much joy. It was very delightful to see (in TV) the students of various schools marching forward fearlessly in the JN Complex. I was very unlucky that I could not attend the function but I hope the next year I will be able to participate.
Letter no: 2
Published in: The Shillong TimesOn: 15th September 2003.
Broad outlook required
Sir,
Mr.James Michael Lyngdoh has made India, especially Meghalaya, proud by winning the 2003 Ramon Magsaysay Award which is widely regarded as the Asian equivalent of the Nobel Prize. My heartiest congratulations to him on his fabulous success. The honour earned by him is immortal. He has set a very valuable example to all the Indians by winning the prestigious award.
We are in the 21st century where development is going on in full swing in every corner of the world. Why should we lag behind in the race of development? We have to go on with the rest of the world and try our level best to make India a developed nation by achieving success in every sphere of life. For that purpose, some of the things required are broad outlook, punctuality, firm determination and definite aim. Wasting our valuable time in useless works won’t help. However, I was shocked to read the news item ‘ANVC opposes non-Garos contesting polls’. (ST September 5). I couldn’t believe that in a democratic country like India where every citizen has equal rights, they could take such a step. Again they said that Garo Hills belong to the Garos and it would not be governed by a non-Garo. Oh! How narrow is their way of thinking. We all live in a secular country. Then why this community discrimination? Therefore we should work together whole-heartedly in prospering our motherland. Lastly, I would say that we should cooperate with each other if we want India to be developed.
Letter no: 3
Published in: The Shillong TimesOn: 22nd October 2003
What’s in a name?
Sir,
Apropos the letter “Time for name change”, I strongly oppose the writer’s contention that change in name of some places of Meghalaya is the need of the hour. It is a blind remark.After all, what is in a name?Meghalaya is a backward state. It faces challenges of various kinds. The need of the hour is to fight militancy, unemployment, poverty and illiteracy. The need of the hour is industrialization and all round development. Also, it is seen that many male children are engaged in selling ‘kwai’, washing vehicles, etc. These should be the real issues of concern. If we are true citizens of the country, we should follow all kinds of betterment of our children, lead them in the right path making sure they don’t fall prey to drugs, drinks, etc. and let them grow up as good and useful citizens of the country.
Letter no: 4
Published in: Not publishedLetter no: 5
Published in: The Shillong Times On: 31st January 2004
Disrespect towards National Flag
Sir,
I was very delighted to see the R-Day celebration in Shillong despite the 24-hour bandh call. It was really wonderful! Thanks to the cooperative effort of the government and the people of the state. Now it seems to me that peace is gaining ground in Meghalaya. If we all continue to work together in the same way, peace and prosperity will surely reign in our state. It has to be remembered that the red letter days of our nation should be celebrated by each and every citizen of the country in their own houses first and then mass celebrations can be there. Another thing to note is that paying respect to the National Flag and the National Anthem is limited only to theory to some people. At least in Shillong I have seen that the National Flag and the National Anthem are not respected by some. Even in your daily (ST Jan 25) the National Flag was printed wrongly under the caption “we are proud of our National Flag”. Such a blunder can never be expected from a reputed daily like yours and especially when it involves a question of disrespecting our National Flag. Again on the R-day when the National Anthem was sung by the NCC cadets, I saw some youth sitting and enjoying their cigars without caring a bit about the National Anthem! Is this the way they pay respect to their Anthem? How can one respect one’s nation when one can’t respect its National Anthem? These few things need to be corrected. So through your esteemed daily I would appeal to the people of the state to have a sense of respect for their National Flag, National Anthem and other national icons.
Also By Jean Laloo:
Sir,
You owe an apology to the nation.Your issue(ST dated 25-1-04) on the do’s and don’ts for the National Flag had the following blunders: 1) the guidelines do not indicate how the flag should be flown; 2)the saffron colour in the picture is upside down. Saffron should be in the top edge
EDITOR REPLIES: This was an advertisement issued by the Government of India and not an editorial output. Therefore, we had no hand in the text of the advertisement in question. As for the colours of the flag as reproduced by us the facts are as follows: The colours as provided in the advertisement in question were authentic. However awing to the accidental swapping of ‘colour positive films’ while manually processing the ad, the colour output went totally out of place. The mistake was detected while the machine was on run and necessary corrections were made but not before a big chunk of the copies already went into circulation. We have given make good insertion of the ad in our issue of 30th January 2004. With all humility we own up this technical faux pas and offer our unconditional apology to all.
Letter no: 6
Published in: The Shillong Times On: 5th April 2003Avoid wasting water
Sir,
I appreciate Ms. Patricia Mukhim’s concern for water scarcity in Shillong (ST, April 2). Her comments regarding the said problem are to the point but one more thing is to be brought to the notice of the people of Meghalaya. It is seen that wasting precious water has become a ‘hobby’ with many individuals. Most people
waste large amounts of water (when it is available), without thinking that this wastage results in scarcity. Then, in times of shortage they hold the government fully responsible for this! They do not understand that if they save a little more water, then a little more water will be available. So instead of blaming the government, we all should take it as our duty to conserve water, avoiding indiscriminate wastage. I have also seen some people specially neighbours, quarrelling even for a bucket of water. To these people, I would appeal to use water as sensibly as they can to get rid of a part of their quarrels and I hope the government would be there to solve the other part
Letter no: 7
Published in: The Shillong Times On: 4th May 2003Ban on smoking
Sir,
The Union Health Ministry deserves much praise for its order to ban smoking in public. Smoking is indeed a very dangerous habit which poses a threat to the nation by adversely affecting its citizens, especially the younger generation who are much more susceptible to getting addicted to it. The parents and teachers also need to be cautious so that youngsters do not spoil their health taking up smoking. Youngsters are influenced to take up this habit seeing their favourite heroes smoking in movies. Hence, banning the use of cigarettes and tobacco in media can also help a lot in preventing tobacco addiction among teenagers. Besides, teachers should constantly make their students aware of the bad effects of smoking . Lastly, the order restricting smoking should not spare even a single, no matter how popular he/she may be. It would also be good if the health ministry takes similar measures against drinking and drug addiction.
Letter no: 8
Published in: The Shillong Times On: 8th October 2004Sir,
I appreciate Joni R.Levion’s concern for drug addiction expressed in his letter “Social evils”(ST Oct 4). Drug addiction is really a serious issue in today’s world and it has spread its roots in Meghalaya as well. Drug intake causes the worst form of health problems. What is more serious is that its victims are mostly the youth or rather the teenagers. In today’s busy world, working parents hardly find any time to spare for their children and in most cases the young ones are sent to hostels. This is one of the major causes of drug addiction. Again, children of rich families are often given more than enough money which is generally spent on drugs, smoking and other bad habits. In some cases, even parents and teachers are found to be taking
intoxicants in front of their children! This leads the children to follow their elders. So, parents, teachers and elder members of the society always need to be conscious about this matter keeping in mind the future of the world. Educational institutions also can play a vital role in this regard. Though the Union Health Ministry have banned smoking, this has not been very effective. It should take further stern actions in order to stop the use and sale of drugs and other intoxicants.
Letter no: 9
Published in: The Shillong Times On:After Tsunami of 26th Dec 2004Living examples
Sir,
It was heartening and inspiring to hear the pathetic story of the brave fight fought by Meghna Rajshekhar and Arun Piraj, two of the many child victims of the disastrous Asia tsunami. Meghna fought against the killer tidal waves for more than 20 hours! Arun too faced the powerful tides for more than 8 hours! These two children, only 13 years old, didn’t lose their courage and bravely managed to reach the shore, facing various dangerous sea animals.These two courageous children are living examples of outstanding bravery and strong will power. They have indeed made their motherland proud. We all should learn lessons of bravery and courage from them and use them for good purpose. However, I was very much disappointed to see that the reputed dailies couldn’t even contribute a small paragraph of their paper to publish this extraordinary story.
I hope that both the children will be reunited with their families. I wish them all success in life. Bravo Meghna! Bravo Arun!
Letter no: 10
Published in: The Shillong Times On:5thJuly 2005MBOSE issue & agitation
Sir,
After so many blunders on the part of the MBOSE, one cannot help oneself from naming the institution as Meghalaya Board of Student Exploitation. It is constantly playing with the future generation of the country. And not only MBOSE, there are many other elements in the society who are busy in ruining the lives of the students! The KSU, without going to the root cause of the aimless agitations. The so called union is expert in calling typical bandhs, picketing etc. If the KSU is so much concerned about the ‘welfare’ of the student community, then why does it disturb them by calling bandhs. It is still more shocking to see the KHNAM president taking sides with the KSU. Still more ridiculous is the fact that the KHNAM has now gone to the extent of creating a separate Khasi-Jaintia state! Who knows, a few days later the party may ask for a separate Khasi state. From the issue of bifurcation of MBOSE, they have gone to the bifurcation of Meghalaya. Such move is commendable! All these elements are just generating storm in a tea-pot without arriving at any conclusion. Has anyone ever asked what has actually gone wrong with the MBOSE? Why are the MBOSE results declared so late & that also with unacceptable errors? These are the questions to which solutions have to be found out. It has to be seen whether an efficient staff is recruited in the MBOSE. Calling bandhs, appointing secretaries etc. are not the answers to these problems. Lastly, I would request the MBOSE, the state government and the students union not to spoil the lives of the students.
Sir,
Apropos to the letter by Debashish Sharma(ST July5), the writer simply blamed the KSU and KHNAM for the present turmoil in the state without any reason and without even going deep into the agitation. If the KSU and other NGOs were not there, the state wouldn’t be as it is today. So far what has the government done to stop influx and to improve the performance of the MBOSE. Speaking about spoiling the lives of the students it is not the KSU and I dare to state that it is the government. If the KSU doesn’t come up with action then the government remains as a silent spectator. The MBOSE goof-ups are not new things. Surprisingly, the government has not taken any action against the erring MBOSE officials.
Gerrynald W. Dkhar
Shilong
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