Editor,
There has been so much debate on whether or not we need to have Autonomous District Councils. Shedding light on this matter are statements coming from petty organizations who condemn the PIL pending in the High Court seeking to do away with the ADCs. They term such actions as a ” betrayal ” to the cause of the Khasi society. But let us look at facts. Have any of the three Councils given a public statement on their annual receipts and expenditures? Have they tried to codify customary practices and brought out actionable change within their areas of jurisdiction especially when dealing with ostracism in villages? Or have they tried to bring social and economic transformation for the benefits of women folk? What has been their formula towards the rural areas along the inter-state border that suffer from atrocities and neglect? People like Mr. RL Blah who have been coming out with various statements and also another organization MIYF should learn to be more objective rather than blindly support a defunct institution. They should rather point at the weaknesses afflicting the Councils and try and suggest measures to improve their functioning instead of looking through a myopic prism. Perhaps they can offer solutions if they are genuinely concerned for the Jaidbynriew.
Yours etc…
Dominic S. Wankhar
Shillong -3
Delay in payment of scholarships
Editor,
Yet again we the students of Meghalaya have to suffer because till date the Govt has not released our scholarships. It is learnt that the scholarships here are being delayed with each passing year. Last year the Govt released the Post matric scholarships in the month of August along with the NEC stipends for the renewal students. But this year it is already October but we have not received our due. We fail to understand this inordinate delay in payment of scholarship. It’s a shame if we only get our scholarship after we complete our studies when now is the time to buy books and pay our fees. For some who come from a well to do families the scholarship is just pocket money but many of us come from poor families and the scholarship will at least help to reduce the out of pocket expenses of parents earning as daily labourers. This attitude of the Govt has left the students stranded. This might be one of the reasons why education in our state is lagging behind. Let this letter wake up the Education Department and push it to do its duty.
Yours etc.,
S Nongrang,
Via email
Who will protect whom?
Editor,
Apropos the article by WL Lyngdoh ( ST Sep 26, 2015), I would like to say that those who work hard will flourish, but those who are lazy and waste time in day dreams( Ji-ei) and useless thoughts will become poor ( kylla nong thoh dieng bad nong tong um). The article deserves to be rubbished by all right thinking readers. Let me share some of the historical facts that have taken place in this world right from time immemorial till date and also the future trends. History reveals that civilizations come and go. Civilizations emerge and disappear. The Great Roman empire, according to the traces found by archaeologists, emerged by early settlements of the Palatine Hill dates back to 750 BC. This ties in very closely to the established legend that Rome was founded in 753 BC, which was traditionally celebrated in Rome with the festival of Parilia. The Roman empire collapsed around 337 AD due to compelling reasons, mainly due to politico-economic circumstances. Civilizations have to change because peoples’ lives, thoughts, behaviour, etc cannot remain static.
In the Indian context we see that the Indus valley civilization came and vanished with the passage of time. No one can withhold these changes. Even the Cheyenes, the Apaches and other tribes of America who are regarded as the most protected tribes have disappeared from this earth. The world is shrinking with time due to the inventions and technologies that influence the activities of people. People had to mix around with different people of different races/civilizations and travel from one place to another and even migrate from region to region in search of better livelihoods. In the process they get into marital relationship with people belonging to other clans/tribes or civilizations, and it is biologically proven that mixed blood is always better than the mono-genetic variety.
In the circumstances, culture also changes. To expect the Khasi tribe to remain the way it is until eternity is wishful thinking. The Khasi tribe, like any other tribe on earth will one day vanish and merge along with the civilization that will emerge. No tradition, nor traditional heads can prevent change. The famous Khasi poet Soso Tham in his poems did express his personal vision which need not necessarily be taken as gospel truth.
Yours etc.,
Banri Kupar L Marboh
Shillong-8