Editor,
As a response to Bah Fabian Lyngdoh’s article and letter, I would like to inform him that yes Seng Khasi and Sein Raij are not our Khasi Pnar religion but they are certainly a platform to unite us to preserve our traditions and socio-cultural structure so that we preserve and treasure our own and do not fall prey to any outside influences that do not correspond with that of ours. What is discomforting and confusing is the kind of attachment, alignment and equation that our faith and religion was placed with the Kur. To quote Bah Fabian: “The religion of the Khasis exists only in each and every Kur uniquely and independently.” It would have been worthwhile if Bah Fabian could give an explicit explanation of this for the enlightenment of many who lack the understanding of the conjecture in its totality because we do have such religious festivals like Ka Beh Deinkhlam, ka Shad Nongkrem, Ka Pomblang, etc that are collectively observed by the believers and followers of Ka Niam Khasi Niamtre. For the information of all, I wish to state here that our religion is not called Seng Khasi or Sein Raij but Ka Niam Tynrai for the Khasis and Niamtre for the Pnars. I do not have a problem with any individual who chooses to convert to any other faith and religion, for all religions have the teachings of God and I certainly wish only to endorse and agree with Fabian Lyngdoh that ours, (to quote him) “is a religion that is pure and holy”. To enter into a debate of why our Niam Khasi-Niamtre is pure and holy is time consuming and we will not have a clear meaning through these letters unless we engage in a dialogue. Mind you, I may just be branded as a perpetrator of ka thma niam but that is however not true as my deep concern is in getting a better understanding of our religion. My own understanding is that any Khasi/Pnar who converts into any other religion be it Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhanism, Jainism, etc is no longer a Khasi Nylla but a Khasi Kylla as his/ her conception of belief, interpretation of religion, ritual, mode of reaching God, etc are totally different from those of us who are the followers of Ka Niam Khasi Tynrai-Niamtre. The only hiccup in our religion is that we are yet to get the approval and recognition from the authority concerned; a matter which is still in the process.
Yours etc.,
Helen Dkhar,
Shillong-4
Niam KhasiNiam Tre essence of Khasi culture
Editor,
I would like to begin by saying that no religion will ever teach its followers anything untoward and demeaning for the words of God, in every language, speaks of love, humility, righteousness and humanity. Hence whatever religion and faith one may adopt, the tenets and teachings of God must be treasured, cherished and followed. Likewise as Fabian Lyngdoh says that Ka Niam Khasi- Niamtre is “a religion that is pure and holy,” it is also true that the Seng Khasi/ Sein Raij are not religions but certainly they are a forum and a platform where the believers and adherents of ka Niam KhasiNiamtre come together and are learn the teachings of U Blei Nongbuh Nongthaw and Tre Kirot Kynrad, cultural activities, morality, customs and traditions, rites and rituals, etc. I don’t think the members of the Seng Khasi – Sein Raij claim to make the two forums as a religion. All that the members of the two Sengs are working towards is to fight for the rights of us Ki Khun ka Niam Khasi-Niamtre which have all along been denied to us. I think there is nothing wrong with that. Mr Morning Star Sumer in his letter threw light on the interpretation of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 and I quote him: “Since the Khasi religion is a Niam Kur (Clan Religion), every Kur (Clan) which has not embraced other religions is a minority group.” Thereby we who are the believers and upholders of the Niam Khasi-Niamtre “have every right to claim minority status in Meghalaya. As for whether the Seng Khasi- Sein Raij are “the spiritual and cultural custodian of the Khasi tribe as a whole,” this needs an entirely different interface and dialogue, though I must say, we believe in the adage, “kylli ka dustur jubab ka niam” (religion answers the complexities of customs).
Yours etc.,
Jennifer Dkhar
shillong
Problem of definition
Editor,
Apropos Fabian Lyngdoh’s reply to Dr. Omarlin Kyndiah’s letter ‘Defining Religion’ ( ST 15 Jan 2016) where the writer clarified that he had not written that Niam Khasi is not a religion the fact is that Dr. Kyndiah had said that religion can hardly be defined precisely because of the wide diversity of interpretations. So also Mr. Lyngdoh’s article can be interpreted in many ways. Dr. Kyndiah’s is right in summing up Lyngdoh’s article if we interpret the following lines: “Many writers speak of a ‘Khasi religion’. But in reality there is no ‘Khasi religion’ with common godhead or godheads for the whole tribe, and in which all the Khasis are the members. The religion of the Khasis exists only in each and every kur uniquely and independently”. The above passage eloquently sums up the intent of the writer and I leave it to the readers to interpret.
Yours etc.,
Marbianglang Rymbai,
Shillong-2
Rejoinder
Editor,
The New India Assurance Co. Ltd. hereby draws your attention to the news item which appeared on page 3 of your daily on 16.01.2016 on the nondisbursal of MHIS claims. We would like to clarify that the insurance company has so far paid Rs.8.11 crores to hospitals empanelled under the Scheme, since the inception of the policy with effect from 01.08.2015. There has been no announcement at any point of time that the insurance company will stop payment of claims to hospitals.
Yours etc.,
L B Buam,
Senior Divisional Manager
The New India Assurance Co Ltd