Editor,
Apropos the letter written by Belbora Wankhar on Lum Sohpet Bneng I agree in totality with her views pertaining to the Khasi Pnar Christians trying to get a grip on their culture and tradition which sometimes results in not arriving at a clear picture of things. Belbora asked a question and to quote her, “Is religion and culture related?” Yes, it is very much so. In Khasi parlance there is a saying kylli ka dustur jubab ka niam which means that if a question or a talk is about culture and tradition, the answer lies that in explaining culture there is always a religious implication to it. To make my point clear, let me illustrate with examples. During the annual celebration of Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem at Weiking, hundreds of our Khasi Pnar Christians participate in the dance claiming that the dance is purely cultural and a mere display of our traditional costumes and attire. There is no problem in the participation but certainly there is the truth to the fact that prior to the dance, the elders of Ka Seng Khasi Kmie perform religious activities like ka nguh ka dem, ka shat ka khein to God, U Blei Nongbuh Nongthaw. The three days of Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem has deep religious connotation and ethos and we the followers of Ka Niam Tynrai, dance with hearts filled with love and devotion to God to bless us eternally and not simply to showcase our culture. Religion plays an important role in the annual dance. I don’t think Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem would take place without religious rites. So I can say that none can separate religion from culture or tradition. They certainly go hand in hand.
I do not intend to imply that our brethren who have converted to Chriatianity are not allowed to take part in our pilgrimages like the one to Lum Sohpetbneng, our Lympung, Lyngkhuh Snem celebration, etc. If they do so, it is display of camaraderie but for us everything and every event starts with religious rites. Hence in conclusion, I reiterate that if there is no religion then there is no culture. This is a very dense subject that needs deep rooted understanding.
Yours etc.,
Helen Dkhar,
Via email
National Science Day
Editor,
India will celebrate the National Science Day on February 28, 2017. In a country plagued with superstitions, open defecation, unacceptable political interferences into public life, corruption, social injustice, gender discrimination and family violence; the importance of dissemination of scientific thoughts and awareness is monumental. Being the second largest populous country in the world root of scientific consciousness among the Indian communities will mean a significant around the entire planet. It is therefore important for us to salute several national and international agencies, NGOs, devoted members and enthusiastic volunteers in their sincere efforts and hard earned attempts in promoting science and scientific awareness among the common people. No praise is enough for all these agencies and individuals associated with the movement for promoting scientific awareness among students and countless local communities and ordinary citizens of India successfully for the past six decades in spite of serious obstacles and impending challenges. This is indeed a monumental achievement! Please accept my heartiest best wishes for celebrating the National Science Day this year and my sincere greetings or promoting science and building a better society using scientific awareness and consciousness around the nation. I wish to extend my heartiest congratulations to all involved for being a great science communicator and for working towards promoting science among the public.
Yours etc.,
Saikat Kumar Basu
Lethbridge AB Canada T1J 4B3
Aadhar, Railways and Uranium Mining
Editor,
The importance of having an Aadhar number for each and every individual in India including Meghalaya, of having a railway line and of uranium mining in Meghalaya are of paramount importance. Aadhar is very useful to citizens of India for a variety of purposes, including direct credit transfer of all subsidies from various antipoverty schemes. Aadhar has removed the intermediaries between Government and the people for whom the benefits are intended. Railways are the lifeline for transportation of passengers and goods. They make transportation much cheaper, faster and they can carry bulkier cargo. Uranium mining helps bring about all round development, including infrastructure development like road network, education, healthcare, market facilities, accruals and incidental development. Jaduguda, the centre of uranium mining in Jharkhand, which once was a wilderness now has become the hub of all round development. If there is health hazards to the people living in and around the place as alleged there would not be inhabitants in and around Jaduguda and this place would not have become the hub of development in that part of Jharkhand. Even Jamshedpur, which is near the mining area would not have thrived as a steel city of India till today. Hence, unfounded fears should not be spread among the people, especially by those who claim to be the protectors of the people whereas in fact, they do so for their vested interests.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marweiñ,
Via email