By Our Special Correspondent
SHILLONG: Seldom do political parties invite scholars and thinkers to speak to their party workers, MLAs and MDCs. The United Democratic Party (UDP) did exactly that on their 18th anniversary, here on Friday.
At a gathering of senior party workers and legislators five presentations were made by five different speakers followed by an interactive session. Vice Chancellor, Martin Luther Christian University, RG Lyngdoh made a presentation on ‘Human Capital- Treasures within.’ He listed out the strengths and weaknesses of the region and pointed to the need for encouraging entrepreneurship and revamping the education system which at present ‘does not liberate but domesticates.’
Pointing to the weaknesses, Lyngdoh said ethnocentrism and conflict ridden societies pose a major threat. “The rural economy is in shambles and there is a high dependency syndrome in our people. Everybody’s vision is to get a government job. We are unable to see opportunities. One out of three graduates is jobless. This needs to be addressed by proper policies,” Lyngdoh stated.
President, ICARE, Toki Blah dealt with the subject of governance and the stresses and strains of multi-level governance which are evident in the recent tug of war between the State Government and the District Council. He also spoke of a vision for Meghalaya which he says has never been there and wondered why political consensus on crucial issues affecting the state cannot be arrived at.
“Do politicians have a vision for the State beyond coming to power? Can politicians afford to continue with patronage politics and dole out money and personalised services to their constituents?” Blah asked and suggested that the MLA Scheme should be done away with.
Dr Sumarbin Umdor from the Department of Economics, NEHU apprised the audience about the ‘State of Meghalaya’s finance at present and the way forward’. He stated that UDP as a political party aspiring for power should learn from the likes of Arvind Kejriwal about blending the populist with the realistic. “Politicians are constrained by having to balance real politick with idealism. It would be futile for the UDP to have a roadmap for Meghalaya if it continues to be in the opposition. It needs to come to power to implement good and people-centric policies,” Dr Umdor stated.
Editor, The Shillong Times, Patricia Mukhim spoke on Security Concerns – Threats and Weaknesses. She enlightened the audience on the seven key features of human security which include economic security, food security, health security, environment security, community security, political security and personal security. Pointing to health security and community security as major concerns, Mukhim said, “If 76% of people in rural Meghalaya are landless as stated by the recent Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) then political parties should be concerned because this indicates growing poverty and lack of access to basic economic resources.”
She pointed to the lack of access to health care in the rural areas and the dismal health indices in Meghalaya where the data for Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is not available and the Infant Mortality Rate is as high as 55/1000. Mukhim also pointed to the gaps in health care in the State where the number of sub-centres required is 789 only 397 are in place, thereby leaving a shortfall of 392. Of 29 gynaecologists required in different CHCs only five are available leaving a gap of 24 and whereas 29 paediatricians are required at the CHCs only one is presently available.
Malnutrition and anaemia among women and Vitamin A deficiency in children are common problems which have not been addressed and pose a grave health risk, she said.
HH Mohrmen, environmental activist and columnist spoke on, ‘Critical Issues on Environment: The Burden on us.’ He highlighted the massive environmental destruction caused by reckless mining of natural resources particularly coal and limestone and said that the Khasi-Jaintia community must reclaim their traditional value systems and their connect with nature.
“Meghalaya has the deepest and longest caves systems which the rest of the world comes to study. Nongkhlieh in Jaintia Hills is the cave capital of Meghalaya. How can we destroy nature for short term gains because in the long run none of us will be alive,” Mohrmen said.
He lauded the UDP for being a progressive regional party stating that being “regional” has a meaning.
Earlier, UDP president Donkupar Roy gave the keynote address. He reminded the audience that the UDP was formed in 1997 with the intention of forming a united regional front to fulfill the aspirations of people.
“Having attained statehood what do we do next? This question was not adequately answered by the leaders at the time which is perhaps why the priority areas in development have not been charted out. Projects should have been prioritised and funds allocated according to priority,” Roy stated, adding that we need highways to develop the State, not for outsiders to exploit us.
Roy also pointed to the major infrastructural assets created in the State but with no funds to maintain them, thereby leaving many such assets in a dilapidated state. He also pointed to major revenue leakages which needed to be plugged.
Other senior leaders of the UDP including Paul Lyngdoh, Titus Chyne, and Jemino Mawthoh also spoke on the occasion.