Editor,
The fact that I am a Khasi is a matter of pride. It is gives me a sense of belonging and ownership. But most of us forget that this comes with responsibility. As a Khasi student studying outside the state, I met many fellow Indians who belong to different cultures and states. What amazes me is their sense of belonging to the country. But we seem to have a misguided sense of nationalism by spouting slogans that we are Khasi by blood but Indian by accident. Being Indian was a path that we chose and rightly so.
Our cultures are so similar in every respect. We have food that is not very different from the rest of the country. We have festivals that may have different names but signify more or less the onset of similar events like spring or harvest. The Bihu is celebrated around the same time by Assamese. The Malayali New Year, Vishu is celebrated too, so is the Bengali new year. When we talk of food, we all eat rice with our hands; we use mustard oil, and we make rice cakes which are done throughout the country but they may be slightly different. Coming to music, the Duitara which is an instrument of Khasi symbolism is similar to the Ektara used elsewhere in Eastern India. Ka Ksing (drum) is not very different from the Dholaks of Indian origin. Even the way our ancestors dressed were similar. So we made the right decision in being Indian. Of course at a finer level every culture or society has refined its tastes and values. This has also been done by our ancestors over time.
So why the commotion of us being too unique to be Indians? This feeling only alienates oneself from the rest of the country. Rather than spending our energy on creating schisms through false pride, we should be investing on developing education because that empowers one to be independent and self-reliant. Our core sectors such as agriculture, power and even horticulture need to be strengthened. The beautiful hills of the state need to be revived with the wildlife we once heard through age old tales. Eco-tourism examples such as Mawlynnong need to be sustained. The state animal of Meghalaya – the Clouded Leopard, which many of us have never seen it in the wilds ought to be conserved. Do we even know how many there are? Bamboo grows abundantly but has the state used these resources judiciously? Tip briew, tip blei ! How do all these fit in the modern life of a Khasi? We need to introspect deeper for what we stand for and not gamble away our future.
Yours etc.,
Salvador Lyngdoh,
Researcher,
Wildlife Institute of India
Time to move on?
Editor,
I agree with Kevin Lanoh’s letter, “Lets Move on” (ST April 12, 2013). Its is important that the Khasi – Non Tribal divide that comes up on and off be shelved in the best interest of progress. However, there are certain facts that cannot be shrugged off as suggested by Lanoh given the dark and deadly past of the KSU vis-à-vis non tribals of Shillong. What Mr Narendra Modi’s party is for the Muslims of Gujarat, the KSU is no different for some of the linguisitic minorities of Shillong. Many of us have not forgotten those tragic moments of KSU sponsored state violence when a pregnant lady was killed mercilessly with the passive support of locals.
The difference is that while Modi’s Muslims are a vote factor and have their sentiments echoed right into the pillars of Indian parliament, the non tribals of Shillong are not , hence its very easy for KSU to get away with their acts.
However, all said and done, we should definitely move forward and acknowledge this truth that Shillong indeed is clearly more welcoming and non-tribal friendly place when compared to places elsewhere in the North East.
Yours etc.,
Chaitali Banerjee,
Via email
A Khasi and an Indian!
Editor,
I must congratulate HH Mohrmen for the beautiful and insightful article “Indian by Choice and the Khasi Cultural Awakening” (ST April 15, 2013) in your esteemed daily. I agree with Mr. Mohrmen that I am a Khasi as well as an Indian. I believe many will share my conviction that what I am today and the all privileges I enjoyed and am still enjoying is because I am a son of the Hynniewtrep and a citizen of India. Secondly, as Mr. Mohrmen said, ‘Influx’ and ‘Khasi Wakening’ are two different things. They need to be worked at on different platforms. Messing up the two issues will elude any achievable goal. Thirdly, we need to emphasize on the internal threats to our society rather than the external ones. Of course we need to influence the Government for implementing a legal system which will protect us externally; however, unless we preserve our internal values no one can save us from getting disintegrated as a race. One of the first things to keep in mind while taking this inward journey into our cultural renewal (or awakening) is to keep the two Khasi adage reminded by Mohrmen as our watch words, i.e., Im tip briew tip blei and Kamai ia ka hok.
Yours etc,
George S. Lyngkhoi
Shillong – 08
A trespasser in our neighbouring state
Editor,
Every time you plan to spend a vacation or weekend with family and friends in Garo Hills the first thing to do is to get hold of any Assam newspaper to check whether your route is free from bandhs in Goalpara district. The Rabha community is up in arms for their cause in this region. Thus, we become the “trespassers in our neighbouring state every time we want to travel within our homeland”.
Our state is divided from within, hence when a person wants to travel from one part of the state to another he needs to go via Assam. The other option available is to take the bumpy and dusty trek through the Shillong-Nongstoin-Tura Road, which is under progress and that too at a snails’ pace. When our VIPs (MLAs/ministers/officers) have to travel to Garo Hills, they either take the chopper or cruise in their luxurious SUVs or premium Sedan with closed windows, automatic climate control AC, comfort of latest tech suspension, absorbing each and every jerk and bump thereby staying away from experiencing the harsh road conditions. But for the public at large, the only means of commuting are the MTC buses or private transport with the same poor standard. This has been going on for decades so please Mr Minister do something for our brothers and sisters from the same motherland but divided from within, due to poor Inter-District road connectivity.
Yours etc.,
Andy Kharduit,
Via email
Review industrial policy!
Editor,
Many companies have invested their resources in Meghalaya but we see only a few qualified locals being employed while the majority of workers are non-locals . This goes against the State Industrial Policy. From extraction of mineral resources to cement manufacturing companies, many have failed to live up to their commitment to protect and conserving the environment. And the State Pollution Control Board is nowhere in the picture making it a toothless department of the State at the cost of tax payers money. The firms investing in Meghalaya should now adopt an environmental social responsibility program instead of their useless Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mandate, at least giving them a role to revive the forests cover and water sources. This way we ensure equitable participation both at the community and industrial level.
Yours etc.,
Dominic S Wankhar
Shillong-3