Editor,
The issue of unregulated influx has always been upper most in most people’s minds. Many consider it a threat to the fragile demographic balance that exists in the state. On Sunday last, the 15th of Nov 2015, PCN at the concluding part of its weekly programme telecast a scene of massive foreigner influx into a few villages of Ri Bhoi, Meghalaya but for a change it was all about a kind of influx that all of us welcome. It was about the temporary migration of thousands of Amur Falcons into the villages of Tyrso and Umru of Mawhati, Ri Bhoi district. That these graceful migratory birds on their way to South Africa from their nesting sites in Mongolia should consider Ri Bhoi as one of their temporary halts is a blessing. Of added delight is the collective decision of the people of Tyrso and Umru led by their visionary Rangbah Shnong, to provide protection and refuge to these winged visitors from abroad. People who snared or caught the birds were apprehended and punished by the village authorities. From killing birds to protecting them is a mindset change of unimaginable magnitude but the villagers of Tyrso and Umru managed it. We salute them for their foresight and wisdom. In a world that is fast returning to the delights and blessings of nature and mother earth, Tyrso and Umru could well be on their way to becoming international bird sanctuaries where bird watchers from all over the world, could come and enjoy the sight of thousands of Amur Falcons wheeling, turning and gliding in the sky above. It could well be the turning point for the prosperity and development of these villages. PCN is to be congratulated for beaming this rare but fascinating documentary to our bedrooms and sitting rooms. Its CSR ( Cable Social Responsibility) at its best.
Yours etc.,
Toki Blah,
Via email
Unfair appointment
Editor,
Apropos the new report “Appointment anomalies”, (ST Sep 29, 2015) it is learnt that no action has been taken from the Higher Authority SSA SEMAM against the back door appointment of the post of District Inclusive Education Coordinator since the year 2012 in the office of the District Mission Coordinator SSA Ri Bhoi Nongpoh. The question arises as to why no action has been taken till date. The post of District Inclusive Education Coordinator required the services of a qualified person with specialization in the field of Disabilities registered under Rehabilitation Council of India(RCI). I once again request the higher authorities to look into the matter for the welfare of Persons with Disabilities and to ensure transparency in appointment.
Your’s etc.,
D. Lyngdoh.
Ri Bhoi District
On beef ban
Editor,
For the last couple of months, the issue of cow slaughter and the controversy over it has been a hot topic of discussion in both television and other forms of media in the country. A lot has been said and argued upon by both the proponents and opponents of cow slaughter in this country. And while some see it as a raging and unwanted controversy, I feel that by expressing themselves, peoples on the opposite ends of the spectrum are only exercising their constitutional right to freedom of expression. Having said that, I, as a citizen of this great nation, feel that, I should share my views and suggestions. Many states in India including the state of Maharashtra have banned cow slaughter by enactment of law. It is well within their Constitutional rights. However, I personally feel that, at this juncture, a total ban on cow slaughter is not necessary. At the same time, I do not register my protest against ban on cow slaughter. We all are aware of the fact that anti-cow slaughter movement and tirade against beef eating have caused the loss of innocent lives and it has created a fear-psychosis in the minds of the minority communities both religious and ethnic. When we speak of united India and unity in diversity we should literally mean it. We must respect the food habits and socio-cultural differences in our pluralistic society. If we fail in this respect our big utterances like Ek Bharat, Srestha Bharat will simply be reduced to grandiose words carrying no meaning. The issue of beef has already created a psychological divide between those who eat beef and those who oppose beef eating. Not less than 25 crore people eat beef in India. We cannot drive them out of the country because they eat beef. The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs in the present government – Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said those who eat beef should go to Pakistan. As Prime Minister of India and as an advocate of unity in diversity Mr Modi cannot suggest that Nagas, Garos, Mizos, Khasis, of North East should go to Pakistan because they eat beef. I think this is why banning cow slaughter throughout the country is not necessary. But it was very necessary on the part of the Govt. and the BJP to study the problem and find out the solution before any such enactment. As any other Hindus too venerate mother cow but they cannot sacrifice the unity of the country and let it turn into a psychological divide between people simply for the gratification of an emotional feeling for the cow. We all know, cows and bullocks play an important role in our rural economy. Other than rich peasants who can afford mechanization of agriculture the poor and marginal peasants use bullocks for ploughing their fields and pulling their carts. After eight or ten years of use the bullocks become old and useless and are generally sold in the market and the peasants get 40% to 50% of the price of young bullocks for the old ones. On that money, they add some amount and get young pair of bullocks. Invariably bullocks so sold are taken to the slaughter house. In case of milk producers, cattle farmers keep the cows as long as they yield milk. After five to six lactations, milk yield of the cow reduces and the farmers sell these cows in the market. For the replenishment of the cattle, farmers get heifers from the cows. How so ever venerated it may be, they cannot feed the animal when it is un-productive. The cows are taken to the slaughter house. This is the ground reality. Livelihood of lakhs of people depended upon beef trading and they are also citizens of India. Ban on cow slaughter will adversely affect the economy of small cattle farmers and poor and marginal peasants. Most of them belong to the backward communities/ schedule castes and schedule tribes. I think the states imposing ban on cow slaughter should take the following measures to protect the interest of small cattle farmers, poor and marginal peasants as well as old cattle population. In every district cow slaughter banning states should have cattle shelter homes for old cattle. This provision should be mandatory. After all by rescuing them from slaughter houses we cannot allow the sacred cattle population to die of starvation. The old pair of bullocks of the poor and marginal peasants should be taken by the Govt and the peasants should be paid 50% of the actual price of working bullocks. If this provision is not made mandatory peasants and cattle farmers’ economy will be ruined and the economy of the country will suffer.
Your’s etc.,
Swarup Upadhyay
ExMP (LS Tezpur)