Editor,
Through your esteemed daily, I wish to condemn the self –contradiction of the report “Row over inclusion of ‘Christian text’ in MBOSE Syllabus (ST April 4, 2016). It is self-contradictory because the leaders mentioned in the article wanted India’s secularism by throwing out Christianity and promoting only the indigenous faith and Hinduism. The whole country must guard against divisive elements who want one India, who want all to say “Bharat mata ki jai,” who want to dictate ‘what to eat and what not to eat (beef)’, who preach ‘nationalism’ only in one narrow way. What is Indianess? Does it mean India – one religion, one language, one culture, one race…? Yes to a group and a force that is creating hatred and enmity in the nation. But the reality and the truth is that we are a nation of diversities. Any sensible citizen will know there is no such India in the past and in the present and therefore we must preserve the richness of diversities for the future.
Believing that the news item is true, I would like to draw the attention of the citizens of Meghalaya to some points for caution:-
1) Be aware of the dangerous ideology that promotes fundamentalism, fascism and hatred of the other. We see this trend in the mainland and it is coming to these peaceful hills of ours. All right thinking and good willed citizens must come out and stop such poisonous thoughts before we see reenactment of Syria or Yemen in our hills.
2) Some are paid to spread hatred and division in the name of preservation of the indigenous.
3) The leadership of Seng Khasi Mawsynram (Batistalang Myrthong and Bidi Myrthong) know only one way to be secular – out with Christianity and in with the Vedas and Ramayana of Hinduism. These leaders are acting as if they are controlled by Nagpur (RSS) or Delhi (BJP), otherwise why do they need to bring Hinduism to MBOSE? Leave MBOSE alone!
4) Do they (leaders of Seng Khasi Mawsynram) want to make our Niam Khasi Niam Tre one and the same with Hinduism? It is good that they clarify to the public. I know “ka rukom lehniam jong kawei ka ilaka ka iapher naka wei pat”(rites and rituals of one elaka differ from another). So even in Niam Tre/Niam Tynrai there is diversity.
5) I urge all citizens not to sow seeds of hatred and enmity or exclusion and when such things come in the public domain, let us be quick to condemn. We need to promote unity in diversity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence.
6) The leadership of Seng Khasi Mawsynram cannot control the freedom of each Khasi on what to believe, what to eat and how to be a Khasi. The Khasis of Mawsynram can remain good Khasis without telling the Khasis in other parts of Meghalaya – in Ri Pnar, or in Maram to be like them.
The way forward is integration, unity (not sameness or oneness), tolerance, respect, dialogue and harmony. Therefore, political leaders and religious leaders should not mislead the public. There is no religion that teaches hatred and enmity to the other. So to my Khasi brethren “ka lawei jong ka jaitbynriew kam shong ha ka bor jong ki nongialam ba hikai ban isih bad pynduh ia kiwei, ka shong ha ka jingieid bad burom ia kiwei, na kata ka daw ka don ka tangkur”. Ngi hap sumar ban kiar na ki nongialam kiba khwan myntoi shimet ban pynlong ka juh bad kawei ia ka niam bad dustur u hynniew trep bad ka niam dustur hindu. ( the future of the jaitbynriew does not depend on those leaders who teach hatred and destroy communal harmony; hence we have the ting-kur or clan and kinship ties. We should be wary of self-seeking leaders who seek to introduce Hinduism into the indigenous Khasi faith)
Yours etc.,
Riskhem Lyngdoh
Jowai, Jaintia Hills
Wine Store at Rynjah Bazar
Editor,
With reference to the numerous news articles regarding the closures of wine stores as per the New Amended Guidelines of September 23, 2015 notification, I would like to know from the authorities that why the wine store at Rynjah Bazar is still operating and whether it is not violating the provisions in the above notification. This wine store is located within 200 meters of the Rynjah State Dispensary which was setup in 1960s. It is also within 200 meters from the Pohkseh Presbyterian Church and the Umpling (R) L P School located in R & R Colony which was setup in 1960. The Rynjah ITI and St Thomas School are not far away. So the said store is located within 200 meters from the Dispensary, School and Church so how it is still operating and why are the authorities not taking any action against the said store.
The wine store located at Lane No 15, R & R Colony has created numerous problems for the residents. Customers after buying drinks from the store, sit on the walls or staircase or inside vehicles and consume the same. Then they throws the broken bottles in the lane. Sometimes they even ask water from the houses located there. I request the DC / Excise Superintendent to visit the lane after 6 PM and see the condition. It is impossible for the residents to come out of their homes between 6 pm – 9 PM as the area remains crowded and the lane has also become a public toilet. Residents have requested the shop owner to employ security guards for better security but nothing has been done.
I request the authorities to shift the wine store from Lane No 15, R & R Colony as it is a residential area and also it is violating the amended rules of new excise act. It is high time that the residents’ well being and interest is looked after by the authorities who till now have turned a blind eye to their sufferings. I urge the R & R Colony Welfare society to pursue with the authorities and if needed file a PIL in the Hon’ble High Court to help the residents.
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request