Editor,
You have done it again! Advertising a bandh call as a prominent front page display! But I am not complaining as I agree with the reasons for the bandh call. And it gives me a chance to address an open letter to BJP President, Amit Shah.
Mr Amit Shah, I am an Indian citizen, middle class ( and struggling not to go down)- love my city, my state , my country and my people and appreciate their different ways of life, beliefs/faiths, language, dress, customs and traditions and most importantly their festivals – religious or otherwise. I love the colours and pageantry of the various Hindu Pujas their delicious fare and the general air of festivity that pervades. I equally enjoy Christmas, solemn prayers ,sermons and the sense of peace all around- not to mention the turkey and caramel pudding of the Christmas dinner at some friend’s or just wine, cheese and cake with a neighbour. And who but a complete idiot can remain unmoved by the sense of purity and belief that radiate from the faces and demeanour of Muslim friends as they offer prayers during the Holy Ramadan days! Of course , I find the biryani and sewian that my friends make me gorge on the feasts following the Ramadan fast, as also the delectable lamb curries served during Bakr Id equally delightful. I could go on and on about the Guruparbs and other Buddhist/ Jain /Parsee celebrations which I enjoy in the same measure- but I think you may have understood.-
I am the twenty-first century modern(?), moderately liberal , secular and tolerant, law abiding, tax paying citizen of India whom you are taking for granted. Why this letter? Then listen, Mr Shah, I and people like me whose faith and belief in a truly democratic, free and secular India was systemically destroyed by a greedy, self seeking and totally corrupt party of sycophants fawning on an anachronistic dynastic monarchy had trusted you, the BJP and your Prime Minister Narendra Modi to change things. This, in spite of so many reservations. The louder than loud utterances from every and each forum of a Mantra of DEVELOPMENT – DEVELOPMENT and DEVELOPMENT – all inclusive at that, made us (uneasily – though) trust and perchance hope! But what do you do? Pandering to a bunch of medieval bigots, with ante diluvian ideas on every subject under the sun , as ludicrous in their utterances as they are in their pot bellied, staff wielding black cap and khaki shorts clad appearances – you pursue an abominable agenda. We want to tell you Mr Shah and through you- to Mr Modi that we will not permit this . We, the People of India will not accept this! This gross attempt at tearing apart the very fabric of our ancient civilisation where mutual respect and co-existence are embedded in our very genes! We survived hordes of invaders including your namesake Nadir Shah, then later Aurangzeb and the British rulers . We will survive you too, with all your Togadias, Ashok Singhals, Giriraj and assorted Saddvis. So – this is our message!! Get on with governance or get out!
Yours etc.
Anjan Datta
Shillong -4
Teaching a thankless job
Editor,
I am saddened by the indifference of the administration of St. Anthony’s College Shillong towards its former employees. Late. Durga Prassana Chakraborty was a professor in St. Anthony’s College and served the institution with sincerity and diligence all his life. Late. Chakraborty passed away recently in Guwahati and his family as a humble gesture notified the college by sending the invitation letter of the last rites ceremony (Sraddha).The college administration did not have the basic courtesy to even respond with a two-lined condolence message to the family to pay respect to the departed soul. I am aghast to see a premier educational institution like St. Anthony’s College setting a precedence of indifference and insensitivity towards its teachers who have literally dedicated their lives for the institution.
What moral lessons are we imparting to our younger generations passively? Does it even make sense to celebrate teachers’ day with pomp and splendour when the fact is a teacher/teacher’s family does not even deserve to receive a condolence message? Clearly, it is a thankless job; teachers educate the society only to be ignored even after death. Everything in Shillong is on the rise, starting from adopting mall culture, wearing branded clothes, using latest technology and gadgets, driving imported cars, except for those basic components that are actually imperative for making it a civilized society. Indeed heartbreaking!
Yours, etc.
Jayashree Dutta
USA