Editor,
Let me preface this note with a very personal instance of delight I recently experienced when I saw a Khasi girl qualify the M Phil entrance test in my department. I was exultant when she responded to the questions, posed during the interview, with conviction and knowledge. I cannot explain the reasons for being suddenly surged with emotion and pride that she belonged to Meghalaya, a state my family considered their own. They had come and settled in the state, three generations back, not with any intention to exploit and plunder but share a common destiny and give their sense of belonging, a historical depth. I am sure when ages back the Khasi forefathers migrated to, what is now called, Meghalaya, they had analogous expectations.
It, therefore, pains me deeply to see that “letters to the editor” in your daily make disparaging and de-historicising references to the ‘settler’ communities, who choose to make this state their own. The systematic erasure and denial of their contributions to the state-formation process and the subsequent social and economic development of the state, and their civil freedoms and rights is perhaps a calculated attempt to provide the state with a specific form and sense of identity. There is perhaps also nothing innately immoral about this experiment. If the issue of identity, as some authors suggest, has inspired creative endeavours of artists and writers, they have also bedeviled the world in recent times. Yet if the growing consensus, that ethnic identities are socially constructed with no fixed primordiality, is held to be true, ethnic identities must be seen as malleable and subject to continuous (re)invention and (re)construction under different historical and political circumstances. This lesson, it seems is yet to be learnt in Meghalaya, or even the entire region we euphemistically call the northeast, where ethnic identity seems to be increasingly manipulated by social and political elites in the service of power.
It may only be in the interests of the State and the region to acknowledge the dynamic plurality of identities and the argument that there is no absolute solitary humanity, but rather that reciprocal recognition is the basis of humanity. It is this sense of reciprocity, perhaps, that engenders my yearning to recognize Meghalaya as my homeland and the deep emotional bond that I nurture and share with the State and its peoples.
Yours etc.,
Rajesh Dev
Dept. of Political Science
University of Delhi.
Where human life is dispensable
Editor,
The op-ed article by Mr. Anirudh Prakash, “Indians are born to die unheard and uncared!” (ST August 2nd, 2013) is an eye-opener which brings into discussion the inherent “right to safety” of all people. In India personal safety is not given the importance it deserves. The government as well as the people do little to enforce safety therefore the general public risks exposure to many life threatening hazards. For example, high standards of sanitation ensure that safety in the form of the population’s health remains intact. The government is responsible for implementing those standards by providing a clean and consistent supply of water, installing a proper system of sewage and ensuring timely garbage disposal. Likewise, the general public is obligated to adopt hygienic habits in their homes and communities alike to uphold those very same standards.
An excellent point brought up by the writer is the issue of road safety norms which have to be heavily revised. India has the highest number of road accidents in the world. Pathetic road conditions and careless driving practices make road accidents one of the top causes of fatalities in the country according to the World Health Organisation. The government has to thoroughly upgrade road infrastructure and the general public should be ingrained with the fact that controlling a moving vehicle requires the highest kind of responsibility and etiquette. As the writer mentioned, many governments abroad go out of their way to ensure the safety of their citizens. But unfortunately, not many Indians have had the privilege of travelling abroad to see that first hand.
Indians should be constantly reminded of their “right to safety” and act appropriately so the government takes the responsibility in safeguarding the lives of the entire population. The importance of safety should be thoughtfully adapted into the educational system, the media and other modes of communication and should be resounded time and time again. There is no such thing as an overemphasis on public safety.
Yours etc., ,
N. Warjri
Shillong – 14
Saved at last?
Editor,
The front page news item “Environment degradation. Govt hands tied: Tynsong ” (ST August 5, 2013) made our hearts sink with despair over the Govt’s apparent helplessness to control the mining mafia of our state. The land tenure system was once again waved as the reason for the inability to act. The discerning reader walks away with the conviction that the promised improved amendment to the Catchment Areas Act will face the same insurmountable barrier. Nothing will happen. We will continue to move in circles till doomsday comes, which incidentally will not be that far off, if we continue the way we do.
Of interest however is a tiny news column (p.10) in the same paper of the same day regarding an open letter by Bah HH Mohrmen to the Chief Secretary and the CEMs of our three ADCs. The open letter speaks of a Supreme Court order to all state Governments directing them to first ascertain/obtain MoEF or SEIAA (State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority) clearance before any mining or quarrying activity in the state is permitted. The key to the enigma has been provided. This should enable the State Govt, irrespective of (a) obstructive land tenure systems (b) weak Catchment Areas Act, to take immediate punitive action against illegal & unregulated mining activities that threaten the environment. The Minister Forest spoke specifically of the stone quarrying that threatens the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme. The above SC order should now strengthen his hands to take action positively.
We wish to thank Mr Mohrmen for this legal insight into a long standing environmental problem that threatens Shillong city. Mr Mohrmen has also threatened to move the court for contempt if its directions/orders are not implemented by the authorities concerned. Damn Good Threat! The last fig leaf of an excuse for not acting has been done away with. All well wishers of Shillong and its survival should join hands in a campaign to save it. Support this initiative of Mohrmen. Express your views. Force the Govt to act. It’s ‘now or never.
Yours etc.,
Toki Blah