Editor,
The Shillong Times front page news on 26th January 2015 brought rejoicing and cheer to the State of Meghalaya with its bold print “SCC founder Nongkynrih conferred Padma Shri”. Just a week ago, the SCC had been awarded the Best Band award for 2014 in a glittering felicitation ceremony in New Delhi. All said and done, what is most heartening is Neil Herbert Nongkynrih’s spontaneous reaction in a ST interview which speaks volume of his humility of heart and eloquence of words when he frankly attributes his Padma Shri award to his Choir, never seeking to garner credit for his personal achievements. Now with the country decorating Neil with the national award, it would be befitting and appropriate for the state of Meghalaya to do its rightful courtesy in rolling out the red carpet to felicitate the award winning pianist-composer-director, and extend every favour to use his services to promote music in the North-East and not just Meghalaya. The Govt. of Meghalaya would do well to remember to what extent it stretched itself to honour Amit Paul who took part in the Indian Idol a couple of years ago and who later claimed he had no attachment to this State, while our home-grown Neil is a 100% son of Meghalaya. With the Padma Shri award proudly added to the growing list of awards in his collection, it is the right time for the Government to seriously contemplate granting Neil Nongkynrih all their assistance to establish a music academy under his able guidance and nurturing. Thank you Neil and the SCC for doing all you have to ensure Meghalaya is firmly endorsed on the national map as a center of music. Special thanks to the former Governor Dr. KK Paul for his able support in facilitating the path to this prestigious national award.
Yours etc.,
Lewis Sooting,
Via email
Violating NGT Order is contempt of court too
Editor,
We have read and seen how the coal mafia have violated the law. They have done it the very moment they started loading coal and transporting it illegally. If a person who is of a lower status does such a thing, the law would have come down heavily on him/her. But the coal mafia is yet to be arrested, interrogated or made to face the consequences for their action. For example ‘A’ is a truck driver employed by ‘B’ who is a coal mafia to transport coal illegally. When ‘A’ is arrested and is behind bars for transporting coal, shouldn’t ‘B’ the employer of ‘A’ be arrested as well? A uniform civil code is what we often hear being spoken about. Citizens are assured, promised and guaranteed that no matter what the circumstances may be the executive, legislature and judiciary will ensure that Equality before the Law shall be maintained. But judging from these circumstances, can we say that a uniform civil code exists or for that matter Article 14? It seems that the NGT ruling means nothing to the coal mafia. But it also means that the state administration is facilitating this daylight violation of the Tribunal’s order. Otherwise, how can hundreds of truck ply so easily from coal quarries to certain destinations? And these coal mine owners will ride roughshod, even kill anyone who stands in their way. If an assumption can be made from the statements given by the family of the S.I who was the officer in charge of Patharkhmah Police Outpost, we can safely conclude that his death was a result of foul play. Firstly, he was brave enough to stand up against the coal mafia and perhaps he was a hindrance to their corrupt practices. Otherwise how can a person shoot himself for no rhyme or reason? Where are his two cell phones? And why would he take his life shortly after detaining these 32 coal laden trucks? But the million dollar question is why the Police Department is not keen to find out the truth. Why is the Home Minister silent? Are they seriously going to close the case and simply be satisfied by the glib explanation of the SP Ri Bhoi that the Officer committed suicide? Meghalaya, is now becoming a state that Thomas Hobbes in his book ‘Leviathan’ defines as one where the fittest survive and where might is right. Judging by how some people roam free even after breaking the law, I am reminded of what Amschel Rothschild once said, ” Give me control over the money supply, I care not who makes its laws.” Can I conclude that Rothschild has been proven right by the state of Meghalaya?
Yours etc.,
Rangdajied Marwein,
Meghalaya Environment Protection Forum
Via email
Tunnel vision
Editor,
I read the letter of KL Tariang (ST Jan 30, 2015) on what he declares as “the triumph of our womenfolk” and his “hats off to our PM” because he was so enthralled by what the lady soldier at the Republic Day parade did. Yes, of course, it was nice but the constant TV coverage and modern media glare should not narrow down our vision to a ‘tunnel’ one.
Women throughout the world have gone far ahead long ago, even in so called remote Khasi hills. Just as one Abdul Kalam may give the impression that Muslims in India are doing very well, that one lady officer may hide more than what is revealed. In 1939, Mavis Dunn Lyngdoh was the first woman cabinet minister in the whole country. She was the first Khasi woman to qualify to practice law from University Law College, Guwahati. She was the first Khasi woman to drive. Even today, Janice Pariat has made a name for herself as a prominent writer of stories in English language. But our tunnel vision did not allow us to admit the obvious, perhaps because they don’t fall in the line with our politics of culture or culture of politics propagated by the likes of MK Gandhi or Tirot -Wycliffe. It is time we broaden our outlook.
Yours etc.,
Rasputin Bismarck Manners
Kolkatta