Editor,
Apropos Phrangsngi Pyrtuh’s article on “Christian values…”(ST May29, 2014), while I admire the writer’s views there are also plenty of inconsistencies in the write-up that need further clarification.
1) In one para he suggests the ‘humanism’ of Christ’s teachings. Humanism in fact is a belief system in the ability of humanity to solve its own problems without divine intervention. So Christ cannot be a humanist.
2) The so called Niam Khasi’s principle “Kamai ia ka hok”- what does it really mean? To earn your own righteousness (or right)? To fight for your right (kamai la ka hok)? Or to earn your living honestly (Kamai da ka hok)? It is too vague. So for him to say that these teachings are universal and profound is incomprehensible.
3) Again in another paragraph he contradicts all these by saying he “shudders to think of the condition of the society” had the missionaries not come, meaning that all those universal principles of that ‘Niam Khasi’ are useless? Or does it prove there was no ‘Niam’ before Christianity, as there was no Khasi language? Was all this invented later?
Yours etc.,
Rasputin Bismarck Manners,
Kolkatta.
Need to bond, not divide
Editor
In reference to the article by Phrangsngi Pyrtuh (ST May 29, 2014) I totally agree that in Meghalaya we cannot afford conflict and divisiveness. Let us instead, bond, progress and move ahead. Talking against any religion is, in any case, most irreligious and defeats the very essence of belief.
It is not true, however, that ancient traditional knowledge and Niam Khasi, Niam Tre had no clue about the problems that plague the present times. As far back as 1897 Rangbah Radhon Sing Berry Kharwanlang had recorded, in exquisite Khasi and in verse, all the teachings handed down the ages in his, ‘Ka Jingsneng Tymmen.’ He not only detailed the etiquette one is expected to follow but also the dangerous effects of drugs and drinks and other indulgences, of incest and promiscuity, of arrogance and corruption , of greed, envy, sloth and much more. To name but a few relevant stanzas in Book 1-stanzas 27, 28, 35, 36 and in Book 2 stanzas 22, 46, 58, 59.Needless to say the mode of expression is not bold and strident because it emerged from the oral tradition which was prevalent here before Rev. Thomas Jones introduced the Roman script. Some of the ‘teachings’ seem redundant and not in keeping with the times but ‘Ka Jingsneng Tymmen’, (The Exhortations of Elders) clearly indicates that the elders were not clueless about human failings. This literary masterpiece of Radhon Sing Berry Kharwanlang is secular and non judgmental. That is its beauty and its strength.
Both the Khasi and English versions are available in the Ri Khasi Press,Shillong where the manuscript was first published in book form in 1902 by Babu Jeebon Roy Mairom.
Yours etc.,
Bijoya Sawian,
Via emai
DTO’s office
Editor,
Apropos the letter, “Corruption in DTO’s office” (ST May 29, 2014) I would like to state that, as an NGO, we too have received a number of complaints regarding the rampant corrupt practices prevailing in the DTO’s Office and are contemplating taking up the matter with the government. It is a well known fact that people are made to shell out huge sums of money, be it for renewal of license, procuring a fitness certificate or transfer and numerous other malpractices such as files being made to disappear from the office. Complaints have also been received from certain individuals regarding the MVI who is charging them exorbitant sums for issuing an MVI report after assessing the damage of the accident to their vehicle following which, the Insurance company will disburse the amount based on the report.
A number of dalals are seen loitering around the DTO’s office making a quick buck on a daily basis however, nothing is done to curb this menace of corruption.
The need of the hour is for the Chief Minister to immediately remove the Transport Minister as he seems incapable of curbing the corrupt practices in his department and to initiate a CBI inquiry into the matter.
Yours etc.,
Irene.P.Hujon,
Shillong-4.l
