Editor,
My attention is drawn to the article, “The cult of Nongshohnoh” (ST Aug 28, 2013) by Fr. Barnes Mawrie. The writer in an attempt to enlighten us on the myth of ‘U Thlen’ revealed his agenda that is proselytization of the indigenous Khasi and Jaintia people. His contention that when Khasi people embrace Christianity en masse, the evil cult(U Thlen) may be rid of once for all is seen as an attempt to glorify Christianity as an agent of positive change in society. Perhaps the writer is ignorant of the fact that large numbers of local Christians believe in the power of this practice.
Fr. Mawrie’s conclusion that the ‘cult of Nongshohnoh’ among the Khasi is not a myth but a reality is debatable. We have been hearing about U Thlen right from our childhood days but we have never seen any scientific evidence of such things. Therefore, how one can establish such myth as a fact. Most of the mythologists have argued that myths were created in the distant past for which no collective memories actually exist.
We expect the writer to enlighten us more on the myth of U Thlen rather than writing the stuff which might disturb communal harmony.
Yours etc.,
Dr. Omarlin Kyndiah
Shillong-2
Time for reality check
Editor,
It is time to curb the sway of emotion, because when emotion rules people become irrational. They can be emotional against irrationality, or for the cause of rationality. Rational mental or physical behaviour, require sober and unprejudiced thought and contemplation while responding to any phenomenon, good or evil. It is amusing to observe the responses to the recent issue of witchcraft and superstition. The issue started with uncontrollable passion at the sight of a naked man rescued from death, leading to the gruesome killing of three persons suspected of witchcraft. This was followed by a stream of equally emotional expressions of rationality from various quarters. There are some genuine expressions of concern over the absence of law and order in the society. Others feel that their personal or societal images are tarnished by the irrational behaviour of a section of society and hence expect an endless flow of condemnation against the superstitious act. But that would only amount to a face saving exercise. The situation seems like an opportunity for some to inform the world that they have achieved a scientific and academic mindset befitting of the century they live in. Even priests and religious whose profession is supposed to be based primarily on the belief in the existence of God and spirits, come forward not only to condemn unlawful behaviour in society, but also to preach the urgent need to imbibe the rationalistic and materialistic outlook. Some of those who expressed concern admit the existence of the practice of witchcraft as a universal phenomenon in other parts of the world, through the ages and even today. They point to witchcraft practices in other parts of India and said its ramification is a menace. Therefore they felt that in Maharashtra the anti- superstition law should punish self-styled god-men who prey on people by rituals, charms and magical cures. They propose that in the Khasi Hills since there is no practice of witchcraft but only superstitious beliefs the anti-superstition might not be universally applied but should only concern people who take the law in their hands. This kind of attitude is itself biased and irrational. The simple fact is that the anti-superstition law relates to the detection and punishment of people who practice inhuman rituals which may harm the lives of others or create disorder in society, or hamper its growth, whether such a practice is based on superstition or on actual diabolical cult. As to the people who take the law in their hands, the existing general laws would apply anyway. A person who kills another man because he suspects him to be a practitioner of witchcraft cannot be punished more than a person who kills another man for sacrifice in his superstitious cult. Both are murderers and deserve the same punishment.
I agree with Ardent Basaiawmoit, that responsible persons should do only what they think is right, not what others want them to do, or just to follow in line with a popular emerging wave of thought without in-depth knowledge of issues. An individual or a community cannot take the law in their hands for whatever cause, outside the judicial process. It is only in a matter of self defence that I become the sovereign and can kill any number of persons if they are bent upon killing me. But of course, I have to justify the existence of such a situation.
Yours etc.,
Fabian Lyngdoh,
Via email
MeECL- pathetic service
Editor,
The residents of Mawiong Umjapung, Block-C are facing acute power shortage. The MeECL had assured that a new transformer would be installed at the earliest but it is now three years and the assurances have not materialized. On August 29, last there was power disruption. This is a regular phenomena in Mawiong where we have to live without power supply for hours and sometimes the whole day. As usual whenever we enquire from the MeECL office through the official complaint number, the only answer we get is, “I have no idea about the power disruption; I was not on duty when the complaint was made”. This same reply comes from the phone attendant in the Area Manager’s office. When we ask for the SDO on duty the only answer we get is, “The boss is not in the office to take the call.”
We are new residents of Mawiong and our experience here contrasts sharply with the service we were getting from MeECL, as residents of Jaiaw. We never experienced this kind of power disruption, and if we do occasionally the response is swift and prompt. Mawiong is only a ten minutes drive from Shillong so the question is, why this bias? Why is our complaint not taken seriously? Don’t we pay power bills like the other residents of Shillong? Don’t we also need power 24/7 like all the other residents of Shillong? Don’t students here need to study and others to perform their duties at night?
I urge the Chairman, MeECL, the Power Minister and our local MLA and MDC to sort out our problems and start by installing a new transformer at the earliest for best interests of our locality.
Yours etc
B. Lyngdoh,
Mawiong, Umjapung