Editor,
Apropos the letter by Helen Dkhar on Religion and Culture , I would like to express my agreement with that the Khasi Pnar Christians should not participate in certain celebrations like Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem, Seng Kut Snem , pilgrimages to the Lum Sohpetbneng etc. which belong exclusively to the followers of Ka Niam Tynrai. I come from a conservative Christian family and I feel that a Christian should adhere to the tenets as given in the Bible and if we compromise on our faith and try to emulate other religions then we will be accountable before the God we serve. The Bible should be the guidance and the standard in our day to day life as Christians. As written in the Bible we should love our neighbours as ourselves but that does not mean that we should worship their gods. This is clearly written in The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17).
As a Christian I have never felt the urge to participate in the religious activities of the followers of Ka Niam Tynrai and I have never visited the places considered sacred by them. I respect them and their beliefs but I will never join them and compromise on my faith because in the Bible it is written that whoever declares publicly that he belongs to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Lord will also do the same for him before the angels of God ( Luke 12:8) . But whoever rejects the Lord Jesus publicly, the Lord will also reject him before the angels of God ( Luke 12:9).
In conclusion , I request my Christian brothers and sisters that in their quest for acceptance in society , they should not turn back on their faith and should not compromise with this world. I will be praying for all my fellow Christians not be misguided by this materialistic world but that they remain faithful to the God they profess to serve.
Yours etc.
K F Lyngdoh,
Shillong-2
Clarification
Editor,
Apropos the letter dated Feb 15, 2017 regarding a piano competition called ‘The Pianist,’ the event management agency would like to put forward their version of the story though they are under no obligation to do so considering the letter is anonymous. We thank the writer for his/her appreciation of our work and crediting us with creating a great platform for amateurs. Managing an event of such stature was a challenge but we took it up because we want such events to come to Northeast India and benefit our local boys and girls. We want the world to know about the abundance of talent in Meghalaya and the other states of Northeast India. Regarding the unfortunate incident where a participant’s name was circulated on Facebook with 28 other names as being shortlisted for the final round and not later receiving the final call for the same, it is true that the person did not receive the final call for the grand finale. This is so because his name was erroneously put up on Facebook despite him not being selected by the judges for the grand finale. In any grand event, there is always a margin for error. However, we take full responsibility for the error and made up for the same. The senior team met up with the participant and his teacher and duly apologized and explained the chain of events; after which they reconciled themselves with the decision. The response of the teacher was very encouraging and he assured us that the young man would not take it to heart.
The letter which eloquently talks about the participant’s mental harassment is fabricated and presents a false view of events. We request the anonymous person to contact us and we can take him/her to meet the participant and his teacher who only wish us the best. We are glad for the support of the people of Meghalaya and we promise that we will continue to work for the betterment of the State and the region. We accept criticism of all sorts but an unsubstantiated, anonymous claim is really not the way to go about it.
Yours etc.,
Event Management Agency,
The Pianist Event
Dangers of playing with currency notes
Editor,
Fun and business should never be mixed. It’s a shame that an ATM machine of SBI dispensed not the look-alike fake currency notes but children’s play notes too, (“ATM dispenses ‘Children Bank of India’ Notes,” ST 23rd Feb). This faux pas is unpardonable. RBI must take a serious note of this. All measures must be adopted immediately so that such embarrassing cases are not repeated in future. More importantly, government should completely ban any kind of play currency notes from being sold in the market. The sporty mind of a human being is not shackled. One can easily toy with any frivolous and criminal ideas. It’s not surprising, the fancy for a play currency could just sow an idea of printing fake notes. These high precision printers are available in the market and can easily serve the purpose. So, the government should be smart enough not to fuel such flights of fancy taking a dangerous turn.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong-2
Waiting for the CM’s promise
Editor,
In 2012, just months before MLA elections, 2013, Chief Minister, Dr. Mukul Sangma had inaugurated four new districts in our State, two in Khasi & Jaintia Hills and two in Garo Hills. One amongst those districts was East Jaintia Hills which was inaugurated on July 31, 2012. In his speech, he spoke of various developments. One of them is his declaration to provincialize the existing college in the district. This had made the people of the district especially the poorer ones to heave a sigh of relief. But, now the 2018 election is at hand but the promise that the CM made is not yet delivered. People are still waiting for his promise to be fulfilled because their pockets have run dry and their children have no future for further education. Will the CM take this letter as a gentle reminder?
Yours etc.
Concerned residents of East Jaintia Hills District