SHILLONG: With the advent of education, science and technology, the society especially the youth have neglected the ancient wisdom and knowledge handed down by the forefathers, Syiem of Hima Khyrim Dr Balajied S Syiem observed.
“It is sad to see that the youth of today do not adhere to the traditional ways and values, but instead are easily lured by material things”, Dr Syiem said.
The Syiem of Khyrim was addressing a one-day seminar on “Folklore of Meghalaya” organized by North Eastern Service of All India Radio, Shillong at Don Bosco Youth Centre here recently.
Lamenting the lack of interest among the youth in adhering to the traditional values and culture, Dr Syiem said with the advancement of science and technology, the youth have progressed so much in different fields. “Though the society has moved ahead in the field of education, the majority has neglected the wisdom of the ancestors from the days of yore”, he said. While pointing out that the Khasi Pnar community is believed to have descended from heaven through the Golden Bridge as per the story being told generation after generation, the Syiem of Khyrim urged the youths to take up the responsibility to preserve the rich cultural heritage, as handed down by the forefathers.The seminar generated much enthusiasm and curiosity amongst the Khasi Pnar litterateurs, university students and research scholars because these folktales were unraveled in the context of the present day modern tribal society by a host of renowned littérateurs of the Khasi Pnar and Garo communities.