I would like to offer my feedback. Speakers of English number 9/10 in Meghalaya, but perhaps 1/10 in Assam and Tripura - and the reason is obvious, the focus on English as a working language among the church schools in Meghalaya.So little English in Assam means that independent travel is very difficult indeed. Next, besides the railways, land transport infrastructure is abysmal. I took a rattletrap bus that should not be allowed on the roads from Shillong to Agartala, ostensibly a 12-hour trip that took 20. Your state governments should be ashamed to permit such vehicles on your roads - for the sake of your people, not foreigners. ‘Service’ is not an operative word, apparently - deathtraps extracting maximum profit take precedence. When an accident happens - as with the ferry disaster - there’ll be much hand-wringing but likely no progress. Finally, you are not by nature a gregarious, curious, or outgoing people. I am now in Bangladesh, where the populace is all of those - I am the centre of attention (not that I particularly seek this, but it is very nice to be interacting with local people). Moreover, Bangladeshis have the sense of honouring a guest; I was able to purchase only a ‘standing’ ticket on the train from Akhaura (Tripura border town) to Dhaka, but my fellow passengers made sure I had a seat for the entire journey. Can you imagine this happening in the north east? I can’t. The net result is that I am unlikely either to return or recommend the north east to my friends. India is a fascinating country, which I have visited many times since 1997 - there is plenty to see and experience outside of your region.

Dr. Lenard Milich
Bogor
Indonesia

In an age of bureaucratic haughtiness it was a pleasure to read the short article on how a ten year old girl absolutely stumped not only the Prime Minister’s Office but also the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Archives of India. The story is a stark reminder that we can learn something from anybody, regardless of age, gender, educational qualification and economic status.

M. Singh
New Delhi

Today’s youth stand to learn a lot from the article on Bah Grace. A majority of the youth of today are grossly materialistic, selfish and devoid of ethics and the spirit of giving. All they can think about is what can be gained for themselves through any act. The value of selflessness is a dying, if not dead trait which needs to be resurrected in our young people and the article carried in your last issue is a touching story of such selflessness. Such stories need to be brought to the fore to serve as examples to our wayward youth.

Coleen Syiem
Shillong

The recent flood of protests against the death of two young northeasteners at Gurgaon and Bengalaru has received a lot of media attention till date. The wave of protests had set me thinking about the issue of racism in Indian and northeastern society. It is without a doubt that racism does exist against northeasterners in the metros of the country but what about racism against non – tribals in the region? Being from Shillong, I can not say much about the situation in other north east states. However on a personal note, I have often come across cases of racism against non – tribals which has become part and parcel of life in Shillong. The term ‘dkhar’ with its numerous unmentionable prefixes and suffixes has become a part of Shillong vocabulary. Besides this, non – tribals are subjected to numerous verbal and physical types of assault. It seems like whenever there are any confrontations between non – tribal and tribal people, it is the non – tribals of Shillong who have to bear the brunt of the repercussions. Now, my question here is – isn’t this also another clear case of racism? The point that I would like to stress on here is that racism is not subjective. Racism is racism whether one is at the receiving or giving end of it - period.

Debo Chakravarty
Shillong

Going through the article ‘Ceasefire Under Fire’, I totally agree with the author when he says that nothing should come in the way of a peaceful settlement to the Naga issue. Too many lives have been lost for and because of the cause for trivial matters, blown out of proportion to hamper the peace talks. Lapses will be there from both sides - the Nagas and the Government of India but the true test now is to look past these lapses and keep the bigger goal of a peaceful and honourable solution in sight.

T. K. Ao
Kohima

The states of the north east region of India have become hunting grounds for dubious financial companies and Guwahati - the gateway to north east India is not immune to this menace. It is commendable that Tarun Gogoi the Chief Minister of Assam had insisted on a coordinated effort by the Centre and the state to make the general populance aware of the menace and also to protect their interests. The menace of dubious non - banking financial companies has to be dealt with firmly and this is a welcomed step by the Chief Minister in this direction. These thieves have to be stopped before they rob Assam and the region blind.

J. Agarwal
Guwahati