Editor,
Most of us are avid watchers of the American Presidency Elections as they daily unfold on our TV screens. As the days passed one couldn’t help wondering if what we are witnessing are really election scenes from the “Land of the Free and the Brave” or from some unknown banana republic somewhere in the wilds of Africa. Hard to differentiate but the poor banana state would probably walk away with all the prizes for common decency, honour and truth. I mean is this really the way democracy is supposed to be conducted in the most democratically advanced country of the world? Look at the quality of their presidential debates. The subject matter; the carriage of the debators; the message it conveys. Its so personalised; so localised; so trivial so inconsequential that sometimes one has to pinch oneself to realise we are watching momentous moments in the history of the most powerful nation on earth! It’s ridiculous and the idiot box is really living up to its name.
Some of us are interested in these elections because of the realisation that like it or not, the outcome relating to the most powerful office in the world, is bound to impact and influence issues on all four corners of the world. Many watchers however are increasingly drawn to this epic American contest because of its pornographic entertainment value. It’s out of this world; it’s shocking. Say what you may, the Indian electorate and its politicians still revere democracy with the respect it demands. The Americans, the ardent champions of freedom and Human Rights, on the other hand have allowed the concept of democratic freedom to be measured by the extent to which a man can put his hand up a woman’s skirt! What a bloody farce!
Yours etc.,
Toki Blah,
Via email
An erroneous statement
Editor,
I would like to refer to the letter of R. Wallang titled “ Khasi Culture”, (ST Oct 4, 2016). Wallang had written that Babu Jibon Roy, “was also a product of the education system established by the Welsh Missionaries”. This is factually incorrect. In the growing up years of the young Jeebon Roy, i.e in the 1830’s, there were no established educational institutions in this part of the sub continent. As was the case with most young boys belonging to families of the landed aristocracy, Jeebon Roy was tutored at home along with his other male siblings. Secondly, Mr Wallang had stated that thanks to the foresightedness of the Welsh Missionaries, “Our society has been able to preserve and uphold the basics of our culture”. To counter the statement, I would like to bring out certain facts of history. The Seng Khasi movement was conceived by Babu Jeebon Roy along with 16 likeminded members of the Khasi gentry, including Hajom Kissor Singh, to be a socio-cultural organization, primarily for the purpose of preserving Khasi culture and traditions, as they felt that the intrusion of the Welsh Missionaries into our hills had destroyed the basic fabric of our society.
A personal experience on what I have said above would amply confirm the apprehensions that were felt by the seventeen Khasi stalwarts around the year 1899. In the mid 60’s, a foursome of Jiriang Singh Phanbuh, (L) Khlur Nongkynrieh, my cousin (L) Marphrang Roy and I formed a group of regular participants at the annual Shad Suk Mynsiem dances (the Annual Thanks Giving Dances), not only at the Weiking grounds at Shillong but also at some of the remote rural areas of Khasi Hills where the dances were held. I vividly recall an instance when we were scheduled to attend the annual dance at Mairang. Like all youngsters, we were inclined to gather as many of our young friends and relatives to accompany us and accordingly we did invite a distant relative to partake in our merry making which included a bumpy bus ride to Mairang. The young man was surprisingly reluctant as he was fearful of being subjected to “Shah ot Balang” – in literal terms meaning banishment from the congregation- if he was found to have accompanied us to the traditional Thanks Giving Dance.
In the light of what I have personally experienced, are we to believe that there was no threat to the Khasi culture and its traditions from the doctrine propounded by the Missionaries who came from afar? For heaven’s sake let us not be misled by erroneous statements!
Yours etc
B K Dey Sawian,
Shillong-2