Editor,
I take strong exception to Dr. Barnes Mawrie’s article, “The Hynniewtrep Dilemma” (ST Jan 30, 2014). I am not sure what he is trying to say other than that changes are happening in Khasi society. Obviously, and we should accept it yet keep our foundation. However, his stab at inter-community marriages which imply that marriage with outsiders (non Hynniewtrep) have become a common practice and that such cross cultural marriages are by no means conducive to the smooth running of society are misplaced. His statement that preceding generations of such families will gradually lose the indigenous strains (physical, cultural and linguistic) and an era will come when it would be next to impossible to find a pure “Hynniewtrep” person are xenophobic to say the least.
If one looks at the Hynniewtrep history, marriage with outsiders is commonplace. In fact if one sees how many clan names have ‘dkhar’ or ‘khar’ one might say it was encouraged. The smooth running of Khasi society was not hindered. Families that inter marry may become culturally stronger, following a common cultural practice of Tang Jait or holding to the strong cultural practice of taking their mother’s clan name. It is not the inter marriage that one should fear; it is the marriages both “pure” and “mixed” that do not encourage their children to follow in the traditions that one should fear. A fact that many people shy away from confronting, and Barnes Mawrie is one of them, is that Christianity has been one of the main driving forces of the physical, cultural and linguistic decline of the Khasi culture. I am not judging this as wrong or right, but let’s not argue about the decline of the Hynniewtrep culture without pointing fingers at one of the main reasons. As far as culture goes, every Khasi would hold that keeping the clan going is one of the most important things – how then can a priest or nun not be part of the decline of the culture. They, as far as I know will never produce a lineage and keep the clan strong.
My children are more Khasi than many families I meet in and around Shillong, who by Barnes Mawrie’s definition are “pure” and I will stand strong knowing that I did not dilute the Khasi culture, but that I made it stronger. My children speak Khasi (linguistics), they physically have features of the Khasi and they are learning of their culture.
Yours etc.,
James Perry,
Vie email
Run for democracy?
Editor,
With regard to the recent “Democracy Run” organized by the Meghalaya Athletic Association(MAA) in collaboration with the Election Commission held in the city on January 25th, I would like to express
my concern on the way the event was organized and managed. I have participated in a number of long distance races both in India and abroad and feel this event was the worst managed. The MAA should have done a better job in organizing such an event and there are no excuses for poor management. A lot of information about how these events need to be planned is available online and there are organizations and groups that can assist in making sure these events are conducted in a proper way. During the closing ceremony, the organizer asked the crowd on tips that will help them manage similar event better so here are some of my concerns which if addressed can lead to a better event in future:
The event had very poorly planned and lacked information on the type of event, the route, and the start and finish lines. The event manager was literality reacting to the situation as it unfolded rather than streamline a proper event logistics. A number of people lost their way during the race including a podium finisher because the bike escort led the runner through a different route. The whole event lacked event infrastructure such as signage, start and finish gateways, volunteers to guide runners, PA system to announce queries and so on. Three hours in the morning were spent distributing bib-numbers till the point where it became unmanageable. The lack of information caused a false start where most of the runners ran close to 4 kms before being sent back by a volunteers saying that the event has not been flagged off yet by the Chief Guest.
The traffic was not cordoned off and the children were running amidst traffic and at times into on-coming traffic. There were complaints that some people had brushes with vehicles. This is a serious safety hazard especially having children participate in the race. The least the organizers could have done is stop traffic when the race was on which was only about 1 hour.
It seems only the front runners were given preference. Other runners who were slow had very little support as they meandered across the city to the finish line. The organizers ought to remember that everyone is a participant and not only the ones receiving the prize. The race ends only when the last runner crosses the finishing line.
I’ve heard reports that one of the actual winners in the under 15 category were not spotted by the volunteers for reason unknown. The organizers must realize that runners become discouraged and disillusioned when their efforts are not recognized.
It might seem very easy to organise an event like this but I strongly urge that next time something of this scale is organized, it should be properly managed. This sort of event is for the welfare of the runners and all the participants and they deserve all the support needed to ensure a safe and fun event.
Yours etc.,
A participant