Editor,
Apropos the news item (ST Feb 22, 2012) where the Deputy Chief Minister BM Lanong blames the pollution of rivers and the death of aquatic life solely on coal mining activities. Even ignorant and illiterate people understand that it is the chemical waste flowing from cement plants that is responsible for the harmful pollution. It is shameful that our notable representatives blame only the random extraction of coal as the cause. While coal-mining is also harmful and ravages the environment which sustains our very life and all our vital needs, why does the Deputy CM cast a blind eye and turn a deaf ear to the chemical waste and random extraction of lime-stone here in Jaintia Hills? Everyone focuses their attention on Jaintia hills because of its rich mineral resources, as the Deputy C.M. puts it but does he care to see how small Jaintia Hills is? It is amusing to note, that he, a man who hails from this backward area, shows no concern at all for the poor and ignorant mass of the District who have been exploited, manipulated and taken for granted for the sake of promoting somebody’s self interest. It’s high time that the elected representatives, the intellectuals and the truly educated people think of the fate of the Jaintias in the near future otherwise, even our very “Identity” will soon be eliminated by the hands of Greed, Selfishness and an uncaring attitude.
The political addicts should realize that politics is not a means for promoting personal gains but an opportunity to serve the people who are responsible for putting them on their political thrones. The politicians from Jaintia Hills have earned a remarkable reputation for their greed, ignorance, manipulation and self-centered attitude. At the same time, it is ironical to note that the ignorant and simple mass of the District still favour the rich and the influential candidates though they have to groan and grumble after every election. As mentioned repeatedly, anarchy is rampant in Jaintia Hills due to the absence of any rule of law. This has been manifested by the fact that even the District Administration is grossly influenced by big powers like the Cement plants, influential coal-mining personalities and the some powerful organizations whose leaders have encroached and commercialized the Government and P.W.D lands and even the reserved area known as “Mynthong”.
The people of Jaintia Hills must not vote blindly in 2013.
Yours etc.,
B P Pyrbot
Jowai,
GNLA ignorant about history
Editor,
The Garo National Liberation Army, (GNLA) is demanding a separate Garoland to be carved out of Meghalaya. The Garos ruled the northern districts of Bangladesh and were aboriginals of Silchar, Sylhet etc before being wiped out of power, language and population from Dhakaiyas and Calcutta. Can the GNLA demand the same from the Bangladesh government just as it is doing to Meghalaya and Assam? The Kamakhya temple was the ancient shrine of the Garos. The Garos worshipped Kham Maikhkhya (a tribal deity who said, ‘I will eat meat’) and used to sacrifice pigs to the deity. Later the Bodo king Nawkhlaw who people called Narakasur (demon king) for bringing Brahmin priests from Orissa and Bengal and handing over the ancient Garo shrine to them. These cunning chaps added the masala and the story was changed. Together with Hindu gods and goddesses the Kham Maikhkhya was turned to Kamakhya and people are made to believe that she is the ovary of Parvati, wife of the Himalayan tribal god Shiva. Can militants demand the rights over the ancient local deity’s shrine? They don’t have that courage so they only attack powerless people. The GNLA has no long term vision and is only making money in the name of Garoland and sharing the profits with vested interests.
Does Champion have any idea what it is to demand Garo as the official district language in Cachar and Sylhet instead of hiding in Bangladesh? The present Garoland map will not give justice and opportunity to Garos spread over Meghalaya, Assam and Bangladesh.
Yours etc.,
Ripon Marak
Tura
Flouting MBOSE rules
Editor
A prominent school – the All Saints, Diocesan Higher Secondary School, had regular classes for students of Classes V-X on March 2, 2012. On that day the Class XII Board exams in English was going on. Candidates of three different schools had a tough time writing their exams in this centre due to frequent ringing of the school bell. It caused a lot of confusion among the candidates writing their exams. The situation became worse during the tea and lunch break when the noise created by the students distracted the examinees. The MBOSE has clearly mentioned in its Examination Rules that during Board exams classes should be suspended. But, the Principal of the said School has decided to carry on with the classes which is an open violation of MBOSE rules. MBOSE should take necessary action against this blatant violation of rules. How can the candidates write their exams in the midst of utter chaos and noise pollution created by hundreds of students of different classes within the same building?
Yours etc.,
Concerned students,
Shillong-1.