By Aristotle Lyngdoh
On May 16 this year a new history was created in our traditional system of governance and will remain a landmark development. A democratic form of practice was adopted by the people at Smit village in electing their Rangbah Shnong through system of secret ballot under the direct supervision of the Syiem of Hima Khyrim and where voters both male and female as per their local electoral roll exercised their rights and participated with great enthusiasm. A process that lasted nearly the whole day may serve as the turning point in the history of Dorbar Shnong – a move in the right direction guided by reasonable and rational thinking of Pa’iem Dr Balajied Syiem an educated and learned personality. The process was in fact not reported because it is a routine exercise but I felt necessary to put in record such practice for the benefit of all especially our local Dorbar system. If Hima Khyrim (a centre of typical traditional governance) can initiate such move and practice, I am absolutely confident that involvement of female members in the Dorbar and decision making process is not a forbidden issue but a complimentary strategy to complete and satisfy the governing processes that other Hima, Raid, Villages, etc should also take cognizance of and replicate.
Going further, it is very important that we should see Rangbah Shnong as an office rather than an officer or person; a concept that will bring a paradigm shift in the mentality of the people in general. If women can occupy important positions such as President, Prime minister and many others why not a female Rangbah Shnong? Leadership demands extensive vision and decision based on logical reasoning, only then will the society survive and flourish through every challenge and threat. We are not Indian by accident but destined to be Indian and to face every challenge without fear by equipping and empowering our sons and daughters. That should be our vision and mission but mishaps occur when we deviate from the right track and take decisions based on emotion. This is the case with our leaders who proclaim in the name of ‘Ka jaitbynriew’ that they are rescuing it from damnation but without using their brains in the logical process.
The danger, it seems, arises when the so called leaders have exhausted the democratic process of a healthy debate and discussion when confronted with controversial circumstances and pursue the method of “Might is Right” in the form of protests and agitations that are suicidal. They take advantage of the crowd which is unable to think and reason. If I may rightly quote the phrase of our political stalwart (now dead and gone -bam kwai ha dwar u blei) saying “U paid Khasi, U paid tem ksing”. (The Khasi people who believe in sensationalizing issues) When shall we learn? What will be the legacy we will leave behind? Originally our forefathers were right-thinking people. They established doctrines, principles, ethics and institutions in a very logical way (pynshong nia) to the extent of involving divine intervention. The danger is also when leaders fail to accept but make an effort to cover up their limitations and inefficiencies. Adelbert Nongrum as a person is sincere and simple but before taking such drastic action he should have studied the Bill properly and more than that he should have consulted the Hima, syiems and other intellectuals and then come up with a better Bill. It would have been a remarkable achievement that would go down in history satisfying every section of the community and people but this idea eluded him. As CEM emotions guided his every action including his remarks against the High Court ruling. From what we have seen his predecessors too have not done any better. They failed to adopt strategies that are futuristic but loved to be followed by the crowd, always to solicit their consent and painting a negative picture on every issue raised if not approved. From time immemorial, the Khasis believed that governance, “ka synshar khadar” cannot be entrusted to people who lack maturity and sense of purpose but look where are we today?
Along with other North Eastern States, the special category tag has been removed so we are now at par with other states in the country. We need to prepare ourselves for more competition ahead. Are we ready for this? What about our rural folks? It is high time that our leaders explore every option, apply their brains rather than emotions on how to uplift our people in the present situation. Our District Councils need to be strengthened with the Eleventh Schedule to speed up development.
The Eleventh schedule of the Constitution has clearly spelt out the detailed devolution process of powers and functions directly to the people under the list of 29 subjects that can be taken up by the local Dorbar itself. Along with these functions, finance and functionaries (a direct funding) will also be provided to fulfill the mandate given. That is what would bring progress. Under the present system these thing are not possible at all. The choice for a more prosperous future is now in our hands. We need to convert all challenges into opportunities that will benefit our society in the long run.