Editor,
Having first read about and then watched an NDTV discussion on the disgraceful behaviour of the Delhi Golf Club, I share the general revulsion and outrage. To a certain extent most of us have suffered from the ridicule heaped on us because of the way we look or, even worse, do not look. It is no wonder then that what happened to Kong Tailin Lyngdoh touched such a raw nerve.
Robbing anyone of hard-won self respect is a social crime and Kong Tailin Lyngdoh’s undeserved public humiliation merits more than its fair share of sympathy. And naturally because like her I too am a Khasi I feel even more incensed. So how grateful I was that Dr Nivedita Borthakur defended Kong Tailin with such robust and sincere passion, referring to her as “my colleague”, and more importantly “a human being”. Dr Borthakur dismantled the male opposition and ruled the airwaves! What a champion! And well done to Kong Tailin too for not kowtowing to an elite prescription of how she should look and not altering her appearance in order to ‘improve’ her image at subsequent meetings with the press. What a lesson in dignity and integrity taught to us by these two women. Maybe sometimes the stars do align and we can then see that the North-East does belong to that group of Seven Sisters. One can only hope.
But above all what I took away from this episode was the beginnings of some troubled soul-searching. Would I have leapt as courageously to the defence of someone belittled in this way? Or would I have caved in to the intimidating pressure of public opinion as to what is ‘right’ and acceptable defined by the few possessing social rank and wealth? Or, under the pretext of not creating a fuss, would I have refrained from questioning the tyranny of such hurtful cultural judgments? It therefore makes me wonder if we are just cheering at the end of a battle someone else fought and won for us. But then aren’t all significant wars won in this way?
To have so clearly been shown the difference between image and substance is a valuable life-lesson for me and I am glad that what happened in Delhi has caused ripples that go far beyond the confines of an exclusive golf club. I have personally experienced that sense of naked vulnerability felt by all those who are told or are made to feel they do not fit in, and in this regard I too am just another Kong Tailin asked to leave for not possessing the right credentials.
Yours etc.
Janet Hujon,
Via email
Whither Swaach Bharat!
Editor,
Meghalaya has implemented the Central flagship programme of Swaach Bharat (clean India campaign) since the past three and a half years in several parts of the state but it has not implemented this campaign in the Meghalaya Secretariat which is the seat of power. The office chambers of almost all categories of employees, including those of the IAS are awful. The lavatories are dirty and awfully stinking; the verandahs are in shambles; the drains are heavily clogged and stinking with emission of toxic wastes from septic tanks; the surrounding compounds are cramped up with the ugly looking condemned vehicles. Lo and behold what a miserable sight it is! It represents a very poor picture of the whole of Meghalaya.
I strongly appeal the New Chief Secretary of Meghalaya to ensure that Meghalaya Secretariat should show the way in cleanliness and also to ensure that all government offices in Meghalaya, wherever they are, should be spotlessly clean both internally and externally, free from corrupt practices as well because ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness.’ The Government spends huge amounts towards the salaries of the cleaners, sweepers, gardeners, supervisors, superintendents, et al but what a poor sight. Most of the offices of the Government of Meghalaya are like cow sheds and pig sties or haunted houses. This is not acceptable to the people.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marwein,
Via email
No justice for the disempowered
Editor,
Apropos the report, “Gang rape victim attacked fifth time in nine years” (ST, July 3, 2017), in Uttar Pradesh, a woman has been facing perpetual acid attacks for seeking justice against those who allegedly gang-raped her in 2008. Indeed, we all got acid on our faces. Why do we go to slumber after Nirbhaya? How can these criminals pooh-pooh our justice delivery system? The victim’s nine year wait for justice and multiple acid attacks on her in the process portray all of us in a bad light. Justice delayed means no justice at all.
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata