Editor,
I know that the letters here are mostly about socio-political issues concerning our state. But I just want to make an observation. We Khasis somehow feel that there is poverty in our language and hence we, sometimes, resort to speaking and using English words. I feel that the Khasi language lacks translation for some important and often used English words, like for example for the English words like, “critique”, “fusion music”, or “art”. There are no words for these in Khasi. One, when speaking or writing in Khasi, has to specifically use such English words, of which one cannot avoid. Therefore I feel our linguists need to coin new Khasi words for these and other often used English words. There are Khasi poets, Khasi novelists , Khasi newspapers and magazines who coin new Khasi words. But I feel it is the linguist’s job to cater to this present (and also future) need. The generation we live in now demands the Khasi language to come out with new modern words which are replete with some meaning just by hearing or reading them. This way, the youth especially will be attracted to their indigenous language, and won’t see it as antiquated or lacking. The youth themselves speak what we now amusingly call “Khalish” because the Khasi language has not been able to meet the needs of the generation.
Yours etc.,
Willie Gordon Suting,
Shillong- 1
Lazy observation!
Editor,
After reading the news item, “Garo Hills students lazy, hence poor result, says MBOSE” which appeared in your esteemed daily (ST May 8, 2015 (Garo Hills Edition), it appears that the statement given by Ms S N Marak, Controller of Examinations, MBOSE was one sided and not based on empirical evidence. Although, I also personally feel sorry that our students have not done so well when compared to their counterparts in Khasi Hills, I also feel that there are other underlying reasons other than ‘laziness’ on the part of Garo Hills students which we will need to introspect ourselves as parents, teachers and senior citizens in the society. The students will need more encouragements to do better in the near future from their teachers, parents with active participation from the schools’ administrators. There is need for vigorous supervision to ensure that schools are functioning well throughout the year and also to create a conducive atmosphere for the students to perform well and for teachers and parents to know their aptitude for future academic careers. Schools which provide the science stream in Garo Hills will also need better infra-structure for their schools with well equipped laboratories as well as library facilities. Against all odds some of the students have struggled and done their level best to do well in their examinations despite personal problems due to health or natural calamities, social unrests and also poverty and deprivation. Even so, some students have succeeded beyond their expectations. Hence it is wrong to term all the students of Garo Hills as being lazy. Blaming the students of Garo Hills for their poor performances with none of them from entire five districts finding a spot in the top ten lists in the MBOSE results in both Science and Commerce streams and giving statement to the press as they are all ‘lazy’ is not going to boost their confidence, rather it may create an inferiority complex in them and prevent them competing with other students of our State as well as in the national level. I personally feel that students of Garo Hills need more encouragements rather than terming them all as ‘lazy’. I also wish and expect the best from all the students of Garo Hills to perform better in their next examinations. The remarks of the officer concerned is at best a lazy one. Such remarks should not be made without due research into the reasons for the poor results in Garo Hills.
Yours etc.
Crystal C.D. Marak
Tura
Spare the pensioners
Editor,
The NDA Govt under the leadership of Narendra Modi has introduced Digital life certificates for pensioners so to ease their problem of presenting themselves before the disbursing authority every November so as to establish that they are alive and therefore can claim their monthly pension. Similarly, all state governments should follow suit for the welfare of pensioners. It will be appreciated if the Govt of Meghalaya too adopts a similar policy instead of asking its retired employees to present themselves before the Treasury officer every six months. Alternatively the Govt of Meghalaya may authorize designated banks, where the pension of retired employees is credited, to receive the life certificates on its behalf. I hope Govt. of Meghalaya will take a call in the interest of its retired employees who have contributed to the growth and development of the State.
Yours etc.,
Sandip Singha,
Via email