Editor,
Apropos the news report, “No IPC provision to stop devil worship: Police,” I suppose most would assume that once the DGP says something it must be based on truth and knowledge. I for one tend to disagree with Mr PJP Haneman’s statements that the practice of worshipping evil has literally developed from Western countries. Is he not a student of Indian History or even local history, and if not a student at least have some common sense? There has, historically been worship of evil in almost every society and certainly in Hindustan there were certain sects that sacrificed humans and worshipped evil. Even in local Khasi history there are certain sects and villages who once practiced human sacrifice. I am sure this also happens in many of the other indigenous groups as well. A person of the stature of Mr. Haneman ought not to make blanket statements of where the worship of evil came from. He needs to deal with the laws and consequences of the worship of evil. One may be wiser to go to a Psychologist or Sociologist to understand society’s desires to worship things that are considered evil and do harm to general society. Why, should be the question – is it a searching, a lack of satisfaction in common beliefs, an inherent evil within us that comes out, a dissatisfaction with the stifling norms of the Church or Institutions we have today? We as a society ought to be asking these questions not blaming western society. We often see the personification of worship of evil or Satan when society as a whole puts unattainable standards on our young people, who in turn rebel and find something attainable and common amongst their peers.
Yours etc.,
James M. Perry
Lyngkein, Hima Mawphlang
Tasks before the new Govt
Editor,
The editorial, “Three big jobs” (ST May 19th 2014), has expounded the need to tackle three big jobs by the BJP led government. To tackle the three issues, two being economic and the other relating to religious minorities, a framework should be in place in the PMO to directly push the progress of the three big jobs. This will enable the Prime Minister to fast track decisions through Delhi’s notorious bureaucracy. There is also a need to strengthen the production base to satiate the increasing aspiration of young unemployed Indians. With supply constraints triggering rising inflation, the Modi Government has its task cut out given the fact that there is no automatic solution to the structural problems of the economy (Government’s fiscal position regulatory constraint on investment and output and growth in social and physical infrastructure).
Therefore the government should play the role of a facilitator when it comes to business because simple inertia of the rulers, on the one hand and aggressive activism of Non-Government Organizations, on the other have literally stopped any forward movement in infrastructure. The government should quickly move to clear the cobwebs and facilitate the process for a turnaround. It has also to ensure that consumer is King and not a prisoner. Society’s attitude towards local enterprises should change. It should tackle the rigidities in our land, labour and capital markets as the need of the hour is to bring business confidence back. Manufacturing growth and containing inflation which remains elevated at 8.6 percent will be two toughest challenges for the new government. The intent of the government will be known in a few weeks time when Mr Modi’s Finance Minister presents a full-fledged budget 2014-15 in the monsoon session of the 16th Lok Sabha. Of course the United Progressive Alliance government has left very little fiscal space for the new Finance Minister with unavoidable outgoing like interest payment on public debts, subsidies and government’s employees salary budgeted to take away the bulk of the country’s tax revenue.
Your etc.,
Vijay Lyngdoh
Why appeal against the NGT?
Editor,
The Supreme Court’s decision to not hear the coal miner’s appeal against the NGT’s ban on coal mining is a welcome note. But it is up to people like us who will have to see that the ban stays. It is of utmost importance that the environmental lobby (do we have any in Meghalaya?) and individuals alike should create awareness, both at the National and State level, that the NGT ban on coal mining should stay. I have personally written to many organisations to impress upon them the need for not only this ban but a total ban on all sorts of mining activities in Meghalaya because of our fragile ecosystem. The battle is only half won if limestone mining is not banned. Any mining activity that harms the environment in the way it has, should be banned and put out of existence in the State. There is an explicit need for a strong environmental activism in the State. As a people, we are a complacent lot. During the recent bandh called by the coal lobby, although there were not many supporters of coal mining (except the miners themselves) but people were not coming out against the bandh. This kind of complacency gives momentum to the mining lobby. We have to stand up and fight for our right to a future. It is obvious that the government is not concerned about the environment; why should it be? After all, the environment does not fatten pockets! Whether people believe it or not, but there are more environmental refugees in Meghalaya than anywhere else in the Northeast put together, that too after only 30 odd years of active mining. People from East Jaintia Hills have no choice but to relocate to Shillong and elsewhere because the place they’re originally from is no longer conducive to life in general. A majority of people from these places are in denial about being environmental refugees. I recently spoke to a non tribal ‘sordar’ about the effect of the ban on him personally, he said, ” Hamara to kya? Hamare pas gaon hai… kheti hai wapas jane ke liye” (what is it to me? At least, I have a village and farming to go back to). Which brings us to the question, what next after the ban? Shouldn’t the Government, individuals and stakeholders now think of ways to help the people to restore life to these once ravaged hills and also help restore the delicate natural balance that we have so wantonly destroyed?
Yours etc.,
Lamchuwa Mukhim