Editor,
I read with great interest the two write-ups in your newspaper dated Aug 28, 2017. The first was titled, “HSPDP not against genuine non-tribals: Ardent,”and the second is the article by H H Mohrmen titled, “The Khasi and Christian Debate.” One points to the sudden realisation ‘with a political end’ that acceptance of others into our fold is not such a bad idea after all. The second highlight the realities that have plagued the Khasi society for over five generations.
To begin with I would like to recall certain events in the not so distant past. A certain section of the Khasis (which include the Pnars, Bhois and Wars) have, for four decades, agitated against the perceived threat of an inflow of people who are branded as non-tribals or ‘Dkhars,’ into these hills. We have seen violent agitations, protests and social sanctions against the non-tribal communities by the numerous social, students’ and the so called Non-Govt Organisations (NGOs).
But have we ever engaged in deeper soul-searching and analysed the inner fears that we suffer from – the fear of being swamped by the larger numbers i.e. the people who have come from outside? Why don’t we introspect and further question ourselves of the fact that a sizeable number of Khasis have been swamped by a religion that the Dkhars – the white Dkhars – had brought into our hills and had discreetly perpetuated their religious belief so as to cause a feeling of alienation within one section of the community? Let us also for a moment dwell into the realm of history. Christianity is a religious belief that was imposed on us by the white rulers who came to the Indian sub-continent two centuries ago with the agenda of the three ‘M’s – To engage in empire building by means of trade and commerce (Merchants), to subjugate the non-adherents, including independent princely states by armed action (Military force) and thirdly to win over the tribal and weaker sections of our people by conversion into their religious belief (Missionary Works).
Is it not, therefore, true that Christianity is a religion that came with the non-tribals/Dkhars and consequently what are we fighting for and who are we standing up against?
Yours etc,
B K Dey Sawian,
Via email
Appointment on compassionate grounds
Editor,
Reading Desmond Lyngdoh’s letter, ‘Compassionate ground appointment’ and that of D. Wahlang, ‘Misplaced idea of compassion’ which appeared in these columns of your esteemed daily on Aug 10 & 11, 2017 respectively, it gives me a blend of excitement and regret at that in equal measure. Explicitly, I was more than elated that in one of my past letters printed in your daily (ST May 24, 2017) under the caption of: ‘Issue before the Meghalaya 5th pay Commission’, I had suggested before the latter to revive the issue of compassionate appointment in strictly bonafide cases given the fact that this scheme is still applicable in a good number of States in India and, importantly, even in the Central govt. establishments compassionate assignations are still in place. And arguably these public enterprises are painfully aware of the need for this social contention. Consequently, I surmised that the said Commission might have perhaps, just perhaps, made allowance to my humble indication by reopening the issue of compassionate appointment which had since been abrogated from November 24, 2010. Incidentally, as a state govt. officer when I was associated with the compassionate employment cases I did find that there were innumerable genuine instances where compassionate placements were, and still are a crying need taking the heart-breaking family background as the final reckoning truth.
However, it makes me edgy to peruse the letters of the duo in question who have taken strong exception against the Pay Commission on compassionate appointments. Markedly, state govt. employees are alleged to be a much pampered lot and most of their deaths are occasioned by ‘excessive drinking’. Such submissions are a brazen slur on the entire govt. staff fraternity, given that most of them are also no less sincere and devoted to their assigned duties. In a word, all govt. employees cannot be sweepingly painted with the same brush. The citation that such appointments are not based on merit, where over-aged applicants are favoured, who would overtake the role of a supervisor of their meritorious and experienced peers smacks of naivety as the State’s Personnel department is rigidly bound to adhere objectively to the extant laid down rules and procedures like the family economic status, family background etc., to be certified by the respective Rangbah Shnong and Magistrates preceding official approval for compassionate inclusion of the prospective applicants and, furthermore, age criterion has also to be accounted for. Put simply, these disciplinary procedural rules have to be observed in letter and spirit or the said applications are summarily rejected. Hence, appointment on compassionate grounds are not for the asking. It may be reminded that, thereafter, the endorsed compassionate appointees are invariably appointed only as Grade III or Grade IV staffs, the former are the ones, who have passed the Matriculate standards and the latter are those who have not crossed this educational benchmark. So how could these low grade fresh appointees hijack the domains of the experienced or senior colleagues?
Admittedly, there are currently a vast army of unemployed youth in our state but it is also not untrue that Meghalaya being a welfare Government cannot outrightly forsake its employees who had dedicated their lives to the service of their state, leaving aside those ubiquitous alcoholics seen in almost in all strata of society, as of now. In fine, let the Govt, the final arbiter, give its final nod over this issue as advanced by the Pay Commission and until then let us keep our fingers crossed without making heavy weather of things to come.
Yours etc.,
Jerome K. Diengdoh,
Via email