I have bitter complaints about life in my country

May 13, 2016 Letters

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Dear Editor,

I am forced to retreat to your letter columns Editor, to make bitter complaints, and observations into various aspects of everyday life in our country.  I will start off with the Police.  They are prone to scrutiny because of the functions and duties they are mandated to perform.  Criticism, whether constructive or not, is bound to follow.  I read reports of all sorts of criminal enterprises on a daily basis, with fatal violence and assault being consistent elements present in most of these activities.  I read reports of statistics bellowing a percentage reduction in crime for a similar period last year.  I read reports of positive police activities solving, or at least instituting charges in some ‘cold’ cases – the prosecution’s success with be the real test.
I read not long ago of the current acting traffic chief issuing instructions to traffic ranks to enforce the tint regulations for motor vehicles, and the ensuing public debate whether stripping tint will reduce the upsurge in criminal activities.  Is there really a need to debate whether an owner of a motor vehicle should be allowed to apply a tint on all his windows and both rear and front windshields with such low percentages, that even a slight shadow cannot be detected inside the vehicle?  I think not.
These vehicles dominate our roads today, and I can boldly assert, the traffic policemen ignore most of them.  There are constant anti-crime and traffic roadblocks within and outside the city limits.  I have seen cars with blackened out windows and windshields drive through these roadblocks without being challenged in the least.  This flies in the face of the acting traffic chief – he is powerless – he has no authority on the road.  The lance corporal is in charge.  I have witnessed windows being wound down, fist-bumps and chest thumps, and windows rolled up at these roadblocks. I am told that a significant proportion of the blackened out vehicles are owned by policemen, their friends and family.  I suppose that explains a lot.
I have also observed Editor, the reckless driving of security escorts of whom I surmise to be Government officials or other authorised persons who are subjects of an escort.  Why is there a need for all other drivers to be “shoved” to the parapets or road shoulders when these escorts come through?  On more than one occasion, I have been run off the road by these most officious security personnel with siren blazing and lights flashing, especially when they are coming from the opposite direction, and even if their lane is completely clear!  Why is it an acceptable protocol to force a citizen off the road when there is absolutely no reason to?
I have seen the Prime Minister going home in the afternoon with his security entourage engaged in this reckless driving.  Editor, why is it that these officials don’t leave in time for their meetings or for whatever purpose?  The privilege of a security escort should be utilised for a demanding situation.  Not because your car is sitting in traffic means there is a personal security risk to you.  The ordinary citizen’s job is just as important to their survival, as yours is important to you.  The ordinary citizen’s time is equally important to them, as yours is important to you.  If you have a flight to catch, you leave in time to get there Mr. Official.  Don’t run citizens off the road because you have the power to so do!  I have noticed quite recently a number of vehicles bearing diplomatic plates using sirens and pulsing lights on their fenders.  Is this legal?  Is there a process of approval?  Is there a reciprocal arrangement?
Next observation Editor, is a centre page advertisement in most of the major daily newspapers, introducing the 4G service of GTT with a slogan “Goodbye library. Hello world.”  The photo accompanying this slogan is a guy lying on the grass with his paper books strewn aside, whilst he ecstatically grips his cell phone and is seemingly enveloped in it.  Quite literally, this phone company is inviting its customers to cast aside all the books and the wealth of information contained inside your library, and subscribe to its 4G service which will give you access to far more resources.
For a gullible audience, especially those younger persons who weren’t socialised to do proper and effective research using paper indices, digests and encyclopaedias, this advertisement is in poor taste.  There is no substitute for a library, testament in all developed societies (where 4G is really 4G).  Now there are billboards being erected by this company inviting customers to cast aside their libraries because they have the answer to it all by implementing a 4G network!  This is poor advertising by GTT.  Even if you have faster browsing speeds, is GTT also offering its consumers, subscriptions to online resources which will substitute for the information contained in libraries?   If this letter is printed, I thank you Editor for the privilege of your (paper) column inches.
Rama Bhajan-Singh 

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