Editor,
I am deeply saddened by the incident which a fellow sister, Tailin Lyngdoh hailing from Meghalaya faced on 25th June. Now, it makes me think twice and check back on what a golf club is and if the dining hall has a dress code or a dress theme. Or is it a racist dining hall? I would like to meet the DGC staff and learn more about the policy and set of rules vis a vis the club dining hall. Normally, a manager is expected to be welcoming and also fulfill the customers’ needs and demands. But I am amazed and disappointed to know that a manager and the staff are concerned with how people look and their attires and then pass racial comments about their customers. Was it really Tailin’s attire that was disturbing or was it her physical appearance that the Club lackeys could not stand? This point needs clarification as I really cannot understand why one should be made to leave the dining table because of one’s looks and dress. If that’s the case, the DGC will have to face all of us. Trust me we are cool but we don’t just stand and let go of insults and prejudices.
Though, its unfair anywhere, it would have hurt less had the incident occurred in a foreign land where people are completely ignorant about us. But it is more painful that Tailin was insulted in her own country, by her very own people that too in a Club that is supposedly well organised and reputed. It is more agonising because she was asked to leave the dining hall with such insulting and demeaning comments. The DGC reckons she is alone and so they could say anything to her and she would remain silent, but, she is not alone. We all felt the pain and it remains fresh in the sentiments of all the north-eastern family who to the snooty DGC look like maids. As much as you respect your saris, dhotis, kurtis, salwar we love our traditional attire and we respect it. What we drape around our bodies is none of anyone’s business if I am capable of paying for the food I am eating in the Club.
Under the protection of Civil Rights Act,1955 denying access to a person to any shop, hotel or places of public entertainment is an offence and even if Tailin was a maid no one has the right to kick her out. Therefore the DGC has no right to call her maid and insult our beautiful ‘Jainsem’. By the way maids in Delhi also wear saris, kurtis, churidars et al. So what’s wrong with the Jainsem? Had the Club management been curious about the attire they should have asked Tailin about it. Instead, they are guilty of ignorance and hostility.
If Tailin had been a typical Indian lady and worn a sari the Club might have welcomed her with a smile and treated her with respect. Also if she was a popular media icon like Gigi Hadid or Kylie Jenner the DGC manager would not have had a problem with her attire and might have thought the ‘Jainsem’ to be a trending fashion. She would have been accepted without question!
I deeply regret that Tailin did not see the unwritten books of rules that the Club has set for its members and pasted in front of the dining hall and also that the Club has no idea of how we look like. India is a democratic country and we have the freedom to wear and practice our tradition. It is pathetic that the Club does not acknowledge that India is a multicultural country. Indeed the staff of DGC are unqualified to manage this Organisation. Meanwhile we from the North East are going to continue to wear our respected traditional attire which according to an ignorant Club is a maid’s dress.
Tailin Lyngdoh is not alone. The seven sister states are with her. And the Club’s opinion is not going to matter. The Club members and staff should learn better about the country and its people and yes their half-hearted sorry is not enough.
Yours etc.,
Lyna H.Misao
M.Phil Sociology,
JNU, New Delhi
Humiliating the Khasi people!
Editor,
The deplorable incident that took place on June 25, in the Delhi Golf Club where one of our own was humiliated makes me furious. Time and again, we from the North-Eastern part of the country are subjected to attacks, both oral and physical. From being disregarded as Indians to being subjected to severe name- calling like “the chinks”, we from the North-East have borne it all for a very long time. Be it the capital of the country or any other state, there seems to be a lack of knowledge and information about this part of the country. However ignorance is no excuse, be it by those on the roads, bus stops, market areas or even the most elite and refined sections. Before any kind of man-made distinction comes the unity and oneness in creation of mankind by God. When God created all humans why are there such man-made distinctions on the basis of caste, class and wealth to the extent people are humiliated for not meeting those superficial standards! What happened to Kong Tailin Lyngdoh on that unfortunate day is a slap on the face of fellow human beings and an exhibition of high-handedness and monstrosity of those who belong to the elite and supposedly genteel society. This saddens me further because even after 70 years of our Independence, we the people of this beautiful country are yet to imbibe and develop the feeling of oneness and harmony and are as yet unable to lead our lives in the true spirit of what our country actually stands for – unity in diversity.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email
Age no bar!
Editor,
I take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks for the article “An expedition to remember” by Sushit Kanti Choudhury (Sunday Shillong 1st July, 2017) and sincerely congratulate the author for having completed the expedition described by him and also for taking the pains to report the experience so succinctly. We, on the wrong side of the pinnacle of youth, do feel encouraged to continue onwards in life’s arduous journey upon reading such inspiring writing and look forward to more in future. May the youthful author have many more of such wonderful experiences and also provide write-ups on the same for the benefit of others.
Yours etc.,
Subhasis Tilak Chakrawarty,
Shillong-3