Editor,

Apropos the letter (ST January 20 2012) by Mr. Premankur Dam where he has mentioned that a person’s professional life is not to be mixed with his personal life ”unless” it hampers the performance of the former the question is: What if it does? A priest’s activities affect the society as a whole. Priesthood doesn’t mean performing rituals only. I lay special stress on the word priest here because they have been vested with certain responsibilities which they should not forget. Like others, even a young priest has every right to enjoy the youthful hues but when such affairs transcend the borders of decency then it brings shame. Loving and flirting are two different things. Mr. Dam has contradicted his statement by mentioning the word ”girl friends”. When the plural word girl friends come then the word womaniser follows. Love should be unadulterated. All have a right to love and live. But when that love becomes lust and playful it needs to be stopped rather than supported. My motive was to bring awareness as such acts have been associated with this young priest. Many who are unaware of his character hire him. A priest should maintain sanctity in life and love too. He shouldn’t take advantage of people’s trust. Hence, it is necessary to expose such people. It’s my humble request to the person’s supporters to go through the past records of the ”young chap” rather than debate over the matter. However, I agree to Mr. Dam’s point over the monopoly of Brahmins in performing pujas as all are equal in God’s eyes and all will have to pay for their deeds -may it be a normal man or priest!

Again an ironical statement-In olden days priest were marked wearing dhotis and carrying an umbrella, but they maintained purity and adhered to the Principles of Dharma. They were wise men and noble too. Now priesthood has lost its charm. All don’t opt for this career, but those who do shouldn’t mess with trust. They should remember that it is due to the public that they are earning their bread. Mine is not a debate over profession but what is being done taking advantage of this profession.

Snatching a living is better than allowing people to snatch and spoil dignity. Earning should be ‘wise’. And priests should lead an untainted and dignified life, dedicated to society not girl(s)! The comments on this priest from Laban area are not absurd. He is associated with certain bizarre incidents- which of course is history. And when history is repeated over and over again without any shame it needs to be pointed. No religious book permits playing with dignity of women either. Just performing pujas correctly doesn’t make a person great or sober. There is something called humanity. A person who worships The Goddess Shakti should not in turn cheat and dishonour girls for the sake of priesthood!

I would request all to put a check on such people rather than support his activities. There are certain norms of the society which all should follow- especially the guardians of the society. The dearth of purohits is not so much in Shillong that people with unsavoury reputation should be hired.

Your etc,

Parimal Bhattacherjee,

Via email

Shilllong-4

Quinton lane imbroglio

Editor,

Apropos the report appearing in the issue dated 24th January 2012 of your paper headlined, “Residents aggrieved over dirty and neglected Quinton Lane” and “Tallest Buildings in the City”, I wish to state that the entrance of the lane next to Vishal Megamart has been an unofficial urinal for passers-by for decades. The residents of the area have tried their best to discourage people from relieving themselves there, but to no avail. A public urinal is urgently required in the area.

As for “Tallest Buildings in the City”, the correspondent may have noticed that the building in question, constructed a few years back, and which abuts Quinton Lane, does not have a setback of even an inch from the Lane. As to why this was allowed to occur can easily be ferreted out by those who want to know.

Yours etc.,

Dhruva Chowdhury,

Shillong 1