While thinking on some other issues, I suddenly felt the need to write something on this movement called ‘The Khasi national awakening day’ which was initiated by the Khasi Student Union few years back. The intention of the KSU to spearhead this movement is primarily to arouse and awake the local indigenous people on issues like influx etc. As far as I could understand this awakening is primarily based on the spirit and courage of our legendry freedom fighter U Tirot Sing. If there is anything extraordinary that Tirot Sing has done which is a legacy today was his determination to send a strong message to the queen that self-determination is the birth right of every nation in the world whether big or small. Despite the fact that Tirot Sing perfectly knew his military strength was not a match in any manner against the British but he has created history in the course of British expedition and a legacy for us.
By writing this article I do not intend to criticize anyone or to question their activities but in fact any movement has its own starting point. This on the other hand if maneuvered carefully with quality objectives, can take any society in the world forward to the levels that we cannot even imagine right now. My point here is why should we confine ourselves only in the ambit of Tirot Sing’s muscles and warfare action? Why not acquaint and adopt other aspects of him such as his vision for the people, his attitude and behavior with the people, etc. Having said this, I do not mean to say that we should now fight to implement Tirot Sing’s vision in this present generation. His time has gone but his principles are well alive. There are greater things than just these issues of which as a Khasi society we can achieve and do beyond the perimeter of the community or ‘jaidbynriew’ but for the whole world to see and take serious note of. In other words, it is wrong to think that a small nation is potentially incapable to rise in status and power. Because if we think this way then someone else will manipulate our situation, meddle with our resources to achieve their own goals. Therefore, the true spirit of awakening is to realize how our untapped sources of energy supply including uranium deposits can make the entire world count on us. This can only happen if there is a strong, genuine, tactful and visionary leadership where this state of ours can become the most important state in the country.
Tirot Sing has initiated a great awakening among the Khasi States in those days to resist external exploitation from a strong and powerful nation of that time which was a threat to their sovereignty. But what the present generation should be wary of is the legitimate exploitation through popular politics and other legitimate tactics to forcefully snatch our rights on land, identity, belief and other aspects as well. These things did not just happen by accident but we have created loopholes through diversities of identity and fractured opinions. For instance, what is the plus point of having too many political parties? In my opinion this will only lead to anarchy and unruliness where party members become indisciplined and rebellious with no sense of respect for the party’s leadership. They will leave one party and join another when issues develop within the party.
Now, while on the one hand, I congratulate the student body for making this effort but I also urge them to assume a statesmanship role in awakening the intellectual capacity and determination among the younger generation rather than flexing muscles on minor issues. There are many threats which are complex and greater in terms of intensity and permanently dangerous for a small society like ours. Perhaps if Tirot Sing was still alive today he would have explained the meaning of ‘sacrifice’ in a different way, which is not by giving up one’s own life for the nation or ‘jaidbynriew’ but by giving up the spirit of greed, nepotism, personal gain and other behavior that promote personal wellbeing. He would have definitely allowed development of infrastructures to take place because these are the life-line to connect with the whole world for the welfare and wellbeing of everyone.
The autonomy we enjoy under the Sixth Schedule and the statehood we have obtained were established not by the power of money or the riches of any person but by the determination and wisdom of the previous generation in those days. They have united and stood for one cause but as for today the political and social scenario as a whole is quite dull and hopeless. We are divided in every front and the reason for this is perhaps that every fragment and section of the community is pursuing their individual goal which is limited in nature. This is why parties and organizations are divided because leaders’ vision for the future is not concrete and clear for everyone to visualize. As a living illustration, we often hear these words, “making this nation greater and stronger than before.” This has been the powerful statement made by every American President in order to share their vision with their people.
It high time that we should be awakened to a greater cause rather than dwell on micro-politics otherwise the phrase “U Khasi uba stad” (The Khasi is intelligent) will just be an expression in a fiction. To achieve all these we need reformation in the education system which is the pillar and backbone of the modern society. Land is another factor which is very vital that we need to urgently address and strengthen by appropriate laws and policies. We need to learn business ethics and entrepreneurship skills and not to behave like dons. For a time will come when these practice will be shunned by a stringent legal system supported by technology. We need to be more industrious and committed to honour the job with devotion and sincerity because every work or job no matter what its nature and type has its own dignity and utility to serve.