Shillong, Feb 10: The Meghalaya Mahila Congress has insisted that Ward’s Lake be maintained as a space for the public rather than being used for government programmes that impose restrictions on access to ordinary people.
In a statement issued today, state Mahila Congress president Joplyn Scott Shylla said that, “Ward’s Lake has always been a shared public space, a place where the people of Shillong come to walk, breathe, reflect and find peace of mind amidst the chaos of daily life. It is not merely a tourist spot or an event venue; it is a walking space, a mental health space and a people’s space.
The Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress strongly opposes the increasing tendency of the government to use Ward’s Lake for official programmes, entertainment events and meetings. Such actions raise a serious question: Does the government intend to take away the people’s right to their own walking and breathing space?”
Ward’s Lake has often been used for special events that see entry tickets increase in cost and the state cabinet even had one of its meetings there recently. These types of events are a hindrance to public access to one of the few open green spaces in the city.
“Public spaces exist for public well being, not for political visibility or administrative convenience,” Shylla added. “When a government begins to appropriate spaces meant for ordinary citizens, especially women, senior citizens and morning walkers it reflects a deeper disregard for public comfort, mental health and civic rights.”
