The Khasi, Jaintia and Garo people of Meghalaya are known to be widely spread out. Of the three tribes, however, the Khasis are the most adventurous having ventured out literally to the ends of the earth. You are likely to find a Khasi in Norway, Rwanda and Burundi, in the sunny climes of the Mediterranean, in Australia, the UK and USA. There several Khasi-Jaintia and Garo families in Bangladesh who are trying to connect with their families and friends across the border. Social networking sites have made it easier for the younger generation to be in touch. Perhaps the biggest Khasi diaspora is well settled in the US. They have their little meets in the same way that the Assamese in the US have their big Bihu meets in different cities every year. But we cannot forget that there are several others who know Meghalaya as their home and who are affected by what they read about this State. Their attachment to Meghalaya is as deep-seated and as genuine as that of the tribes. They cringe each time they scour the internet for news of home and read of the environmental devastation that is rapidly destroying the eco-system of this once beautiful State. In fact the diaspora is often more affected than those who spend their lives here. Perhaps we are too close to reality and our senses are dulled. Those who see Meghalaya from a distance are affected by the sense of déjà vu. They think of a Meghalaya they used to know, of the lush green pine forests, the pristine waters of the streams and rivulets, the fresh, clean air and the genteel people. All these are in the past. The pine forests are fast disappearing, the waters of our rivers have turned turbid, the air is heavy with suspended particulate matter and there is deafening noise emanating from vehicles. Is this the Meghalaya that the diaspora will be coming back to if they ever will?
Despite the pessimism that overwhelms many there are some brave-hearts who have returned to their hearth and homes because they want to make a difference. We need to find these brave-hearts because they are the social capital that Meghalaya needs. They need to be given a platform to share their thoughts. Small steps could be taken to bring in changes in the way we think and do things. The important thing is to work together and share the responsibility. Social change comes about when people believe in a cause and invest their energies to promote that cause.