By T Fightingstar L Mawlong
The article, “Quo Vadis Meghalaya?” (ST Aug 26, 2014) by Toki Blah is an eye opener and timely. Ka Jaitbynriew is losing its sense of direction. The moral and ethical crisis is alarming. Values like spirit of service, responsible work habits, commitment, professional ethics etc. are fast fading. Globalization has got the better of us; there is a growing trend of consumerism and crude materialism at the cost of morality, ethics and values. People’s philosophy of life seems totally confused. The behavioural predictability of people is fast declining. Jealousies, hypocrisies, judgmental attitudes, hatred, illogical prejudices among others are plaguing the community. In such a crisis-struck society what sense of direction could possibly be at the helm of Ka Jaitbynriew? Of the triadic institutions (family, society and educational institutions) – which could be held culpable for this predicament – the role of family is given least attention. I would venture to drawing the attention of readers towards the role of the family.
It goes without saying that family lays the foundation for a strong character. However it becomes a matter of deep concern when in a family we are sowing seeds of confusion and corruption. I am referring to the ‘parochial and obnoxious examples’ set by elders (in the families) that confuse and corrupt the minds of the children – our future. It would be a mistake if we think we can stamp this as trivial. After all, according to the Chaos Theory, a tornado may develop in one place as a result of the flap of a butterfly’s wings in another place. We must not forget that the bent of mind and the state of activities of the elders are consciously or unconsciously observed by a child. If the ‘myopic bent of mind’ dominates the overall thinking of the elders, then strong character becomes a utopia.
If I may mention here, in no society of the world do people love to judge others and talk about people’s private lives in their homes. In contrast we Khasis are notorious for this. The Holy Bible teaches us not to be judgmental, yet it has become a way of life for a community with about 80 % Christian population. ‘We see a speck in our brother’s eyes but fail to see the plank in our own eyes’. When elders are big time hypocrites, immoderately judgmental and prying into people’s private lives in their homes, what would one expect of the ethical values that would be infused in the children? Sub-standard..or significantly negative.
Ka Rympei, then, instead of being a constructive platform, produces an egocentric mind characterized by selfishness with a characteristic immoderation, and suspiciousness to the point of paranoia. When such mind becomes a teacher, political leader, doctor, or any officer, it will display the quality of an egoistic and mediocre professionalism. Altruism will not be in the dictionary. How then can one think of a corruption-free society? It would be hard for such a mind to summon a will to, “be the change you want to see in the world,” as Gandhi said. The brewing of mediocrity, malfeasance, despotism, nepotism and plain corruption therefore continues.
It is in our hands to make all things right. We have the power and a constitutionally envisaged fundamental obligation to strive towards excellence – individual as well as collective. We must understand that values cannot be taught but can be inculcated into a child only if we would ‘walk the talk’ and be the good role models for the child.
At this point please allow me to quote Swami Vivekananda: “If there is any sin in this world it is weakness and the only way to get rid of weakness is to have a strong character”. Weaknesses of the forms mentioned above are fundamental obstacles in the progress of the community. Ka Rympei is a primary workshop for engineering strong character. So what kind of culture do we have at Ka Rympei? What examples do we set before a child? We must neither be simplistic nor complacent, if Ka Jaitbynriew should regain its ‘sense of direction’.
It is not without a pang that I write this and certainly not without a hope. Whether there is any substance in it or not, it is for the readers to discern. At any rate, I believe, the attempt can do no harm.