Editor,
This refers to the report on “Shillong Chamber Choir leaves Jodhpur spellbound”(STMarch23/2015).I always appreciate what Neil Nongkynrih and his Choir have achieved. But the fact that they sang the ‘Vande Mataram’ at Jodhpur and in turn received a big appreciation from Amitabh Bachchan for, “being rooted in their values,” raise important questions about faith and cultural values. The song written by Bankim Ch.Chattopadhya is mostly a worshipful hymn to mother India (I show gratitude to you Mother) which can also mean many things in the Hindu tradition-Mother Durga, Mother Ganga etc. That is the main reason why Muslims strongly refuse to sing it. I know that Nongkynrih comes from a strong Christian background but did he miss something by pandering to the cultural values of Amitabh Bachchan? If one watches the popular song contest, “The Voice.” one would not fail to miss what music coaches like Pharrell Williams and others keep on reminding their wards “believe in what you sing.” Do members of the Shillong Chamber Choir believe what they sang at Jodhpur?
Yours etc.,
Rasputin Bismarck Manners
Kolkatta
Editor replies:
“Vande Mataram” was the national cry for freedom during the Independence Movement. But for the information of all, who like Rasputin B Manners might believe there is only one rendition of the song (Vande Mataram), Neil Nongkynrih has composed his own lyrics and music and the song is sung both in Hindi and English and expresses pure patriotism which does not have even a shred of religious connotation. Amitabh Bachchan’s role is to recite Tagore’s poem, “Where the mind is without fear…in the course of the performance. It would have been in good taste if Manners had listened to the song on YouTube before penning down his angst publicly. Like every self-respecting Indian, the Shillong Chamber Choir too would have no hesitation in singing an ode to their country. In any case an obsession with any religion and its public display in a country as diverse as India is perhaps what creates divisions. India is a secular country and in that sense, distinct from the USA. The Voice is an American reality talent show.
Shameful betrayal of law abiding citizens
Editor,
From your newpaper report of 23rd March, it appears that HNLC’s one-man online army Sainkupar Nongtraw is threatening and praising the Govt in the same breath. The elusive Mr Nongtraw is desperate to engage in farcical peace talks so that he can claim his legitimate share of the loot (Govt’s rehabilitation package). So far the Govt hasn’t humoured him but it well may do so in the future. It all depends on the mood of the whimsical Mukul Sangma who by all reports is building a private army of psychopathic killers a.k.a militants. The CM is ready to reward and forgive Sainkupar Nongtraw and the serial killers of Garo Hills and unleash them on an unsuspecting society where they can continue with their reign off terror with his blessing. It is easy to figure out the pros and cons of this evil pact. Such dirty deals will wreak havoc on society. People will stop respecting the law since the Govt only rewards criminals, not honest citizens. Clowns like Nongtraw will be rewarded with money, plum positions and contracts. All cases against brutal killers will be dismissed or intentionally weakened to such an extent that the Court will be forced to throw them out. The case of HNLC turncoat and current Congress MP Julius Dorphang is a great example of how serial killers are rewarded and forgiven for their crimes by the Govt. This is a shameful betrayal of law-abiding citizens by their own chief representative. The Judiciary should intervene to stop the Chief Minister of Meghalaya from making a mockery of the law.
Yours etc.,
Lawrence Tariang
Shillong-8
Bickering over a non-issue
Editor,
I was amused and disappointed to read the story titled, ‘Disabled or ‘differently abled’?’ (ST Mar 17, 2015) on many levels. First, the internationally accepted terminology is ‘people with disabilities’. It is somewhat unfortunate that our esteemed law makers have not kept pace with the times. Disability, as any human rights and development issue, has evolved over the years. I would encourage people to look at the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD) to understand the paradigm shift and why euphemistic terms like ‘differently-abled’, ‘specially-enabled’, etc. are considered disrespectful and demeaning. However, most importantly, it is a tragedy that legislators are bickering about terminologies when all our schools, public infrastructure and facilities continue to be inaccessible to people with disabilities. Energies should be focused on removing these barriers instead.
Yours etc., ,
Dorodi Sharma,
Via email