Editor,
Apropos the letter, “Benami Transaction in MUDA” (ST Oct 16, 2016) by Jonathan Lyngdoh and responses to that by PK Dwivedi (ST Oct 16, 2016) captioned “MUDA Affairs” and subsequent leters on the subject and finally an article by Patricia Mukhim, “Is clean business possible in Meghalaya,” I strongly contest the term “bartering the tribal name for monetary gains.” How can a name tribal or otherwise be sold? If a tribal owner employs a non tribal as partner or on sales commission, as manager or on the basis of profit sharing, what is wrong with that? It is ridiculous to assume that ‘Benami’ business or illegal trade is going on at MUDA shopping complex. This controversy of so called Benami business is being raised not by the common man, but by a few selfish people who for vested interests are trying to further widen the gap between the tribals and non-tribals.
After the commissioning of MUDA parking cum shopping complex, there were many young unemployed non-tribal applicants for allotment of stalls, but not a single shop was allotted to any non tribal youth except a few old municipal stall owners. Why this discrimination? Tribals have been given never ending special privileges as SC/ST and OBCs, with quotas and reservations nationwide while the handful of non-tribal’s who have no special privileges and want to earn an honest living in the state are deprived of their constitutional rights and looked at with suspicion. My tribal friends must realize that development funds for the state come from the centre. These funds are generated from Income Tax revenues contributed by the non tribal citizens of the country including those residing in this state. Just do a simple brain storming to find out the spectrum of development in last 44 years since statehood was attained and compare it with the quantum of money allotted by the Centre for the development of the state, to realize who is using whom for monetary gains.
A very negligible percentage of genuine non-tribal population is left in Meghalaya. There should be some empathy for them. Majority of elite, cultured and educated non- tribal citizens have been forced out of the state because of discrimination and inconvenience caused to their professional and day-to-day lives. One cannot deny their enormous contribution to the state.
I strongly disagree with the views of PK Dwivedi that a tribal manager or caretaker is often lethargic or alcoholic. Our present generation of young tribal boys and girls are very active and are competing in every field. Normally they don’t instigate communal conflicts. They are open-hearted and educated and have a logical head on their shoulders as they mix with people from the rest of the country and are getting better socialized.
The poisonous mantra of “Non- tribal” or “Dkhar” is being injected by a handful of people for vested interests. These people take advantage of the innocence of the poor and backward classes for their vote banks and conspire and divide the society using caste, creed, religion, tribal, non-tribal et al. But after achieving their goal they hardly serve the unprivileged people. This tribal and non-tribal feeling if not eradicated from the minds of tribal people, will be a major setback in the development of the state.
Tribals are by and large simple and good natured. Of course there are cases of non- tribal’s taking advantage of their goodness. However, these self-centred people are found in every society. Therefore a general opinion cannot be formulated based on stray cases. Undue life-long privileges cannot make us self reliant. It is imperative to get out of selfish thinking and lead our new progeny to the right direction.
As questioned by Patricia Mukhim in her article, “Is clean business possible in Meghalaya,” I can say that when people suffer from social dilemma, discrimination in the name of caste, creed are divided by terms such as “Dkhar;” and live in fear a good, clean, healthy economy cannot exist.. We are accustomed to blaming and hating others because of jealousy and selfishness. These feelings of mistrust and suspicion also affect business transactions and practices.
I vehemently criticize the prejudices of untouchability and earnestly appeal for ushering in a new era of spontaneity and democratic progress in a society which was poisoned and shattered by the evil of divisive words.
Yours etc
Sushit Choudhury
Via email
“Bharat Bandh on Demonetisation”
Editor,
It is surprising to see the opposition parties flaring up in anger and deciding to play a game of mockery and dirty politics on government’s demonetisation decision by declaring Bharat Bandh on Monday the 28th November 2016 and creating unnecessary hurdles for the people of India. Those who hold black money have forgotten that 90% people of India are supporting government’s demonetisation decision and they will not support the Bharat Bandh called by the opposition parties. Only 10% of people are not with the government’s demonetisation decision and they will support the Bharat Bandh. They forget that demonetisation has affected not only the common people of India but more so the corrupt, dishonest and black money holders. If the opposition really wants to work for the people of India they should know the ground realities first. People of India want clean, transparent and better governance and have full faith on the present government. This Government does not think at all about the political outcome of demonetization and whether it will return to power in 2019. Moreover, this government is not hungry for power. The Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi believes that if it wants to change the system it will have to remain in the system. Only there will be change in the society and India will be like a New India, Corruption free India, Clean India, Digital India and head towards a cashless economy in India.
Yours etc;
Sandeep Ghosh
Shillong-4