Editor,
You want to vote but are wondering if there’s any point? You are not alone. As the pre poll preparation survey reveals, voters in general are no longer concerned with which party is in power; they are now focussing on the quality of the candidate. As the first stage of preparation for the coming election kicks off, we see politicians switching parties in the hope of securing tickets and securing their seat. Public display of solidarity and sentiments at community functions, a pat on the shoulder ,a smile, a hand shake or a little chat is what the poor, illiterate and ignorant voters needs. The labour class who came here hardly a year ago are too happy to be able to exercise their rights. Voting day gives them a sense of belonging. They are not concerned with the development of the constituency. They can be easily wooed by the candidate and they constitute a larger population in the state.
The second category comprises of the right thinking types who vote with a conscience. They are very much concerned with the development of their constituency. Improvement of roads, sanitations ,water supply and cleanliness are their prime concerns, which the elected members have ignored term after term.
The third category of voters, the bureaucrats, the business class, the rich and powerful including the politicians themselves who show concern for development but with selfish interests don’t show genuine interest in improving their state at all. This is really sad. Democracy has been stifled by criminals ,corruption, shame and greed. Are we heading towards the point of no return? I leave this to the opinion of the public.
Yours etc.,
ML Kharmawphlang.
Shillong-4
Degraded profession
Editor,
In the era of modernization and commercialization some professions have lost their charm. One of them is the Hindu priesthood. In Vedic India when the priestly caste (Brahman) was vested in a particular class they were expected to practice self abnegation and play the role of the custodians of Dharma. However in modern times as the profession does not attract youth due to many factors, there is acute shortage of priests especially in the Hindu Bengali community here in Shillong. Sensing this shortage many young priests from the neighboring state of Assam and Tripura are making a fair earning here. But these young purohits (Priest) should keep in mind that tranquility, restraint, austerity, purity, forgiveness and uprightness are some of the basic characteristic they should possesses. Recently, it became known that one such young priest from Laban who is originally from Cachar district of Assam is a notorious womanizer. He was employed in a renowned temple of Laban and once he was suspended from there due to such activities. He is also a regular Durga puja priest in one of the renowned pandals of that area. Can I ask the responsible people who hire him whether the scarcity of priests in Shillong is such that a degraded person has to be employed for the job? This man is a philanderer and is often seen with girls of different localities, which in fact, brings disgrace to the noble profession. Many share this anxiety so I appeal to the people of that locality and other localities that such people who wear the ‘mask’ of Godmen should be shown the door because priesthood is for the benefit of society not for ruining it.
Yours etc,
Parimal Bhattacharjee,
& some concerned guardians
Shillong -4
Indigenous wisdom
Editor,
Apropos Skhembor Laloo’s letter “Value of indigenous wisdom” (ST Jan 14, 2012) relating to the demolishing of the water barrages built by our forefathers across the river Myntdu to rebuild new ones it appears that the officers of the Soil and Water Conservation Department lack the wisdom and the vision to appreciate what conservation is all about. Just because they have sufficient funds in their coffers they have no right to recklessly spend it and in the process destroy the wonderful legacy left by our ancestors without any added benefits. If these officers become construction minded for the sake of spending only then their actions defeat the very purpose of having such a Department whose defined objectives are supposedly to promote consequential conservation of natural resources through rational and sensible approach without doing more harm than good. It clearly exposes the lack of able and wise leadership and this is a dangerous trend which will not only spell disaster for the Department but most importantly for our future generation
Yours etc.,
C Passah,
Via email