Editor
Apropos Michael N. Syiem’s letter “Khasi Awakening: another view”( ST April 24, 2013), I disagree with some of the views put forward by the gentleman. Mr Syiem lays the blame squarely on the shoulders of the Govt for all its failures ranging from influx control to unemployment. It seeks to absolve the KSU totally, of which Mr Syiem is a founding member, for its role as a powerful player in shaping the state’s destiny. While Mr Syiem may seek to highlight the hardships of being an NGO member, he forgets the hardships that this very same organization has been inflicting on the state as a whole for the personal advancement of KSU leaders. I do not say that Mr Syiem was one of those who benefited, but it is well known how many KSU leaders have used their positions to their advantage and become MLAs and ministers. So what happened to the conscience of these erstwhile KSU leaders once they achieved their lifelong goal of becoming politicians? Why did these people not use their position as a MLA or minister to fight for the same causes instead of being busy in filling up their own pockets and taking foreign trips? What have they done to uplift the poor people of Meghalaya? This is simply a case of the pot calling the kettle black. They are two sides of the same coin. The other thing Mr Syiem has mentioned about NGOs like KSU surviving on public donations alone is a bit far-fetched. The KSU is known to indulge in extortion from the business community. Several letters have also been published in this section of the Shillong Times which attests to the fact. Also, it is vague about its finances and does not declare them like any honest NGO should do. Can Mr Syiem explain the reason for this? Where did the funds come from, and where did they go? As Bob Marley once sang – “You can fool some people some time, but you can’t fool all the people all the time…”. The KSU needs to start listening to this song!
Yours etc.,
Charles Lyngdoh,
Shillong -4
Khasi Awakening
Editor,
I can understand fears of cultural extinction of indigenous communities like the Khasis, but does it help to blame this on the influx of non-tribals? First … Khasis are not unique in their fears … ALL communities, whether tribal or otherwise, face extinction before the might of modernity. Second, don’t you think the cultural erasure from westernization is a far greater threat than any threat from non-Khasis? Why is it that Indian cultures (even Bollywood, horrible as it is) do not erase the Khasi culture, but westernization does? Why have the Khasis and other tribal people from the northeast let themselves become more westernized culturally than have other Indians? The ascetic virtues and values in Hinduism have protected many non-tribal communities from giving in altogether to the uglier aspects of westernization … even as the ugly side of Hinduism drives people towards the west. Blind imitation of the west destroys our cultural rootedness, besides making us diffident … today the west itself is seeking to escape the might of modernity by finding roots in other cultures. Why have the Khasis and other tribal people from the northeast let themselves become more westernized culturally than have other Indians? The ascetic virtues and values in Hinduism have protected many non-tribal communities from giving in altogether to the uglier aspects of westernization … even as the ugly side of Hinduism drives people towards the west.
Blind imitation of the west destroys our cultural rootedness, besides making us diffident … today the west itself is seeking to escape the might of modernity by finding roots in other cultures.
Yours etc.,
Deepa Majumdar,
Via email
Time for MLAs/MDCs to deliver!
Editor,
The article by HH Mohrmen (ST 18th February 2013) regarding elections and other issues is certainly very refreshing. It reveals what can be achieved if there’s a wish and will to do or not to do. Thank you Bah Mohrmen for this write up which certainly is an eye opener to us. It’s a story of 3(three) villages in the Amlarem Sub Division of the West Jaintia Hills District which has brought great change to the villages without the help of the MLA or MDC or political representatives. They have made the best use of the Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNES) which has brought about a tremendous change. They still maintain the War Jaintia Culture. Clean cemented footpaths were constructed by MGREG scheme. The Rangbah Shnong and secretaries didn’t waste their precious time to become puppets to candidates during elections. In Sohkha village the community has also built a pond for water harvesting with the scheme. This necessitates the building up of capacity programs and here the MLAs and MDCs can chip in to help the villagers to make the best use of government schemes, and this is one way of doing it.
The Secretary of the Dorbar mentioned that to attract tourists good roads are a MUST. Here again the MLAs and MDCs can assist the villagers with their funds which they receive through the schemes. They could help to green the landscape by assisting the villagers to plant trees in vacant places.
Now our representatives can stop making more promises, for talking time is over and the time for action, has come. Do it now and don’t waste opportunities.
Yours etc.,
Queenie Rynjah,
Shillong -4