An open letter to ‘MC’ and the CM

Letter 1

To MC (Mr. Chaudhary).

Dear Mr. Chaudhary (MC),

I understand you moved to DehraDun within the last decade from our neighbouring towns like Muzzafarnagar, Roorkee, Meerut, Saharanpur, Yamunanagar etc.; and found this town to be both peaceful and lucrative. I also understand that you had substantial agricultural income that you used; to buy land and commercial properties in DehraDun at prices that no local could afford. I am sure your 130 KG body and 6 feet; well built frame ,has also come in handy , while bidding for liquor licences, government contracts, and genrally to keep the typical 72 KG and 5 feet 7 inches ‘local’ away from where you think , he should keep away. The point is…today, you and your sons, nephews and cousins are all over our once quite town, driving bigger and meaner cars, getting into brawls with people on the road and generally making a “Muzzafarnagar” out of Doon. I also understand voilent and rude behaviour comes naturally to you. I understand.

I also understand that I can’t do too much about the ‘Muzzafarnagar- ization’ of my town because our country allows free movement and speech to all its citizens. Including you. I am sad, but I understand.

Wishing you away,

A pained citizen of DehraDun.

Letter 2

To the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.

Dear CM Saab,

I understand that the next elections are only a year and a half (or so) away. I understand that you are both a concerned citizen and a local of our state. I also understand from your pictures on all the government hoardings across town that everything that happens in Uttarakhand; is done by you. Or it at least seems so.

Because ; finally the beuraucracy , the police , your own party people and a lot of other citizens look up to you for leadership and guidance, may I suggest a few items to be included in your to do list.

1. Empower the law and order machinery. The ‘sipahi’ on the road. Today the entire town is making a mockery of them, because everybody can get away with it. Because; you let it happen.
2. This state has more tourism potential than a lot of states combined. Tourists come and spend money, where thay find natural beauty preserved. Some of our tourist spots resemble garbage and concrete dumps. They are like that; because you let it happen.
3. Most young people still have to leave Doon for education and employment. This means they will spend their money and life away from this state. Which means that the benefit of their productivity will be lost to us. This happens because…

The point is, there’s still time. A year and a half (or so).

Wishing you’ll get the drift,

An aware and ‘voting’ citizen of the state.

Vineet Panchhi owns and runs Audio Wagon, his lifelong passion and now a music company. He blogs at Unplanned Journeys , and can be reached at: vineet.panchhi@audiowagon.com