Editor,
When our tribal community was at a nascent stage myths, legends and folktales were passed down from generation to generation through the oral tradition or word of mouth. It was later on when the Welshman Thomas Jones introduced the Khasi alphabets that Khasis learned how to write and learn in the language that they spoke. Writers and poets were then born like the great Soso Tham. At that specific period in history, there was a lot of enthusiasm and interest in reading Khasi literature. Now, sadly, with many pulp novels and classics from the west making waves, it seems that we have forgotten(or are uninterested in)our own literature.
From my observation, there are many old and contemporary Khasi writers and poets who are good in their craft. Their works, if translated with fidelity into English, would rank with the best of literary greats around the world. S.J Duncan, H.Elias, Wan Kharkrang, Bevan Lionel Swer, Streamlet Dkhar, Paul Lyngdoh-have all written excellent books/poems. It’s sad that the readership dwindles with the passing of each year. I feel that in this world filled with complexities we should turn to the literature of our own for consolation, wisdom and morality. Khasi literature, as an art, mirrors life and is continually in a quest and search for meaning in it, which we must not lose touch with. We should know and be proud of our own.
Yours etc.,
Willie Gordon Suting,
Shillong 1
Leadership is a sacred trust
Editor,
November 24, 2015 will be a historic event for the people of Nongstoiñ constituency as the votes of around 29,000 voters will be counted. With the exception of Dr Fenela Lyngdoh Nonglait, a PhD degree holder in Law who bitterly lost the 2013 assembly election to Bah Brolding from Mawthadrashan constituency, the three other candidates are first timers in this bye-election. As usual promises are made, rallies were held, debates were conducted in which the UDP candidate did not turn up. Door to door campaigns were carried out, speeches were made and we have to grant it to them that they worked hard work within the short campaigning period. But it’s kind ironic when candidates make false speeches. For instance The UDP candidate Moslander made a slight mistake in his speech about ‘Ka bor ki Rangbah Shnong’ (Powers of the Rangbah Shnong) in a common platform campaign where all four candidates spoke at Pyndengrei, a town with the largest number of voters in Nongstoiñ constituency.
I interacted with one young, dynamic voter and asked him how he felt about Fenela Lyngdoh. He replied, “Just because she holds a PhD in Law does not mean that she can win an election by showing off her academic achievements and promising the impossible. She exaggerated about going even to Delhi to stop Laws which violate the rights of the people. It’s a distant dream.” I tend to agree with him because elections can only be won by those who understand harsh ground realities. And that pious and joyful youth ended up saying, “ It’s better to vote for NOTA.”
This election is the most unpredictable one ever in Nongstoiñ and undoubtedly the youth play a massive role in this election. Hope the victor will do the best and push for over-all development of Nongstoiñ constituency.
Yours etc.,
Micky Marwein,
Via email
Nongstoin by-poll
Editor,
Apropos the news item “Campaign at feverish pitch” and “Lapang sends Pariong packing” (ST 19th and 20th November 2015 ) the Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma while addressing an election rally on Wednesday called to vote for Gabriel Wahlang for change and development of Nongstoin. It is strange that the INC picked Mr Wahlang for Nongstoin who will clearly not be able to make it against the Hill State Peoples Democratic Party nominee, Mr Diossstarness Jyndiang who is the right hand man of late Hoping Stone Lyngdoh. Since public memory is short let me remind that Mr Wahlang as President of the Meghalaya Pradesh Youth Congress in the last election to the Nongstoin Assembly Constituency canvassed against his own Party (INC) to favour HSPDP when Dr. Pariong was the Congress nominee. HSPDP with the booster shot ahead of Saturday’s poll with Dr Pariong campaigning for Mr Jyndiang would dent the prospects of the INC. It is interesting to note the statement of the Chief Minister “if he (Pariong) speaks against the party, if he shows that he is against the Party, we have an internal mechanism to deal with it”. Will the Chief Minister kindly explain where the “internal mechanism of the INC” was then when Mr Gabriel canvassed for the HSPDP candidate in the last election? The MPCC President, Mr D D Lapang may have sent Pariong packing but if the latest public opinion from the villages of Nongstoin Constituency is correct the INC will certainly find it difficult to romp home victorious and could be sent out packing from Nongstoin. Come what may the Lion still reigns supreme in West Khasi Hills.
Yours etc.,
Gordon Wahlang,
Via email