Editor,
I have been following infrequently the posts about the various issues regarding the minority Niam Tynrai/ Niam Tre and their respective spokespersons. The small report regarding the demand for removal of the Fr Bacchiarello’s book, Dienjat Ki Longshuwa was an eye-opener. It is no secret that Christians dominate various spheres within the state’s socio-economic and political apparatuses. Many might not like to admit this, but sadly, the world is not as fair as we like to believe. Much like the caste-denying benefactors of caste discrimination, we (Christians) do not want to admit to our advantageous positions. It must be part of the much touted Christian value of humility, though humility is hardly an exclusively Christian virtue (nor is hypocrisy). I totally agree that there are various texts that have many insulting and demeaning messages within them. Let me give you an example from the Presbyterian song-book.
Take song no. 553 (546 in old edition) Rex Gloriae:-
“Sha khlaw sha btap ka pop ka lam/ Ban mane blei ba kynsha/ Mynsiem ba bha hapoh ka dam/ Hapoh jingdum ba thala/ Ia kine mano ban leit wad/ Mano ia ki ban pyllait?”
What did the author mean when he said that ‘sin and false/profane gods dwell in the jungle’, why do the people who worship in the ‘jungle’ have to be rescued by the Christians? Mind you, this is hardly a rarely sung song. It is still very popular today as during the days of the British. These sorts of messages are today being critiqued in various forums as racist, colonial bigotry. I support the Mawsynram unit of the Seng Khasi in wanting a pro-Christian book removed from the MBOSE syllabus but all religious books should also be removed then. There should be no question of Vedas, Quran, Torah etc being introduced in its place. It is either ‘take all’ or ‘take none’. Secular education is being threatened throughout the country, at least in Meghalaya we should show the way forward and not succumb to communalism.
Yours etc.,
Babet Sten,
Via email
Why dismantle a heritage building?
Editor,
The Jaintias are known to have first migrated from their homeland Jaintia Hills to Shillong a year after the execution of the great martyr U Kiang Nangbah. It was during the year 1863-64 that they migrated to Shillong in search for better means of livelihood and first settled in areas vicinity to Iewduh like Qualapatty( Kuwar), Paltan Bazar(Dukan Pyrton) and Wahthapbroo.
Living far away from their ancestral home, they felt the need to have an Organisation which would be a conglomeration of all the Jaintias in East Khasi Hills particularly Shillong. Thus an Organisation named ‘Sein Jaintia’ was founded in 1947 with (L) Rai Bahadur Hari Blah and (L) R.Tokin Rymbai as its founding President and General Secretary respectively. Since then, Sein Jaintia has taken up a number social, sports and cultural and other allied activities. In due course of time its members also felt the need for a permanent community hall. Thus under the leadership of its President (L) Aron Alley, Vice President, (L) R.Tokin Rymbai and General Secretary, (L) P.R.Kyndiah, the Assam Government was petitioned for the transfer of the SERAI (Muzafirkhana) Building or a small portion of the Vaccine Depot vide Letter dated 7th June 1955. Subsequently, the SERAI Building was transferred to Sein Jaintia on the 23rd December 1955 by the Assam Government during the tenure of (L) Bishnu Ram Medhi as Chief Minister.
The old and dilapidated SERAI Building was then dismantled for construction of Indoor Sports and Theatre Hall and the Foundation Stone was laid on the 6th October 1958 by (L) Bishnu Ram Medhi, who was at that time the Governor of Madras State. However, much to the dismay and sadness of all the Jaintias, this very Sein Jaintia Hall which was build for Sports and Cultural activities has been dismantled for construction Commercial Complex. Is this Hall which was the first indoor sports and theatre hall in Shillong not a ‘heritage building’ that needs to be conserved? What is really sad for all the Jaintia community is that the Hall has been brought to ground by the very own leadership of the Jaintias who have been proclaimed champions of saving and preserving heritage building in and around Shillong like the Tara Ghar. This entire episode of dismantling the heritage Sein Jaintia Hall in Shillong was not a decision approved by the members of the General Council of Sein Jaintia but by the whims and fancies of few so called leaders of the Jaintia community.
Yous etc.,
Dr. Omarlin Kyndiah
Life Member, Sein Jaintia,
Via email
Undue harassment by Gionee company
Editor,
I thought Gionee mobile phone is good so I bought a handset on October 16, 2015. After 5 months from the date of purchase the said handset automatically switches off. The same was sent to the repair center at AC lane Police Bazar with a hope to get on time delivery. Surprisingly, I got a message from D.M-G Care from time to time stating that the delivery has been extended. The message had been forwarded to me 5 to 6 times. Then on April 4, 2016, a message was received stating “hope the handset had been delivered to you.” When I contacted the service center, their reply was that it was not yet delivered by the Company. Again to my surprise on April 5, 2016 another message was received saying that the handset was under repair process and the delivery date is April 10, 2016.
What is the motive of the company in treating me and other customer’s of Shillong as fools? Since my handset is under warranty period I want the Company to set things right by either repairing or replace my Gionee P.35 handset.
Yours etc.,
Pynshai Syiem,
Via email