Editor,
The recent attack on the residence of sitting MLA of Shillong West, Paul Lyngdoh is an ugly truths that exposes the hatred among political contenders as it happened just before the elections-2018.This may happen to any other candidates of the constituencies if we are not alert and take precautions. The attack on Mr Lyngdoh’s home is an uncivilized act of cowardice, which emerges out of jealousy and pressure from some external forces who seek to create ruckus and vandalism. This sort of action was not seen in Meghalaya in the past but it has erupted out of nowhere. Political vendetta cannot be at the cost of the candidate’s and his family’s life and property. It strikes at the root of constitutional rights and democracy. But the culprit fails to understand his actions which are like the opium of political mania.
The ends do not justify the means and this attack on Paul Lyngdoh merits condemnation by all right thinking people. Whether or not Paul Lyngdoh should be re-e;ected is left for the people of the constituency to decide in 2018. It is true that people want change in but they have to bring that change through their votes not by criminal acts. It is possible that MLAs are not able to fulfil the aspirations of their constituents. Someone, somewhere might be disillusioned because of unfulfilled promises or because of lack of development within the constituency. But all those aspirations need to be made public during election campaigns, not by personal attacks. Let the legislators’ main concern be for the welfare of the people and not for political gimmicks. I hope the common people learn to put a full stop to this sort of violence and not be misled by money power and other illegal means.
Yours etc.,
Evarist Myrsing
Shillong-17
Why attack journalists and artists?
Editor
This refers to your Editorial “Journalist life on the line” (ST- Sept 23, 2017). It is indeed worrying to see that the attacks on journalists seem to be increasing both in frequency and brutality. The high percentage of journalists losing their lives while covering politics and corruption, reflects poorly on the law & order situation. Women journalists, in particular, are frequently threatened with rape and acid attacks. A journalist is also a citizen who enjoys the rights guaranteed by our Constitution. Freedom of expression is an inalienable right, and expressing an opinion about a film, or a policy, or a politician on a forum that calls itself social media is a natural extension of that inalienable right. Unless the nation wakes up together to reform and strengthen our institutions, like the police and judiciary, such attacks will continue and our basic fundamental right to state protection will remain unfulfilled. We need to address the problem of impunity in journalists’ murders to ensure that the press can work freely. Let us promote a safe and enabling environment for those who exercise their right to freedom of expression, especially for journalists & artists who perform their work without interference.
Yours etc.,
Vinod C. Dixit
Ahmedabad- 15
Cosmological evolution!
Editor,
Scientists now have reliable information that it is cosmological evolution which has guided matter from simplicity to complexity, from inorganic to organic. Fossils document the increase in brain size of our ancestors. It has been noticed that life is hardly more than a combination of simple chemicals operating in complex ways and the origin of life is a natural result of the evolution of that matter. Indeed, this new aspect of the research highlights Sri Aurobindo’s vision.
In Sri Aurobindo, we find a pure optimism ~ a promise for our golden future. He said, ~ “There is an ascending evolution in nature which goes from the stone to the plant, from the plant to the animal, from animal to man. Because man is, for the moment, the last rung at the summit of the ascending evolution; he considers himself as the final stage in this ascension and believes there can be nothing on earth superior than him. In that he is mistaken. In his physical nature he is yet almost wholly an animal, a thinking and speaking animal, but still an animal in his material habits and instincts. Undoubtedly, nature cannot be satisfied with such an imperfect result; she endeavours to bring out a being who will be to man what man is to the animal, a being who will remain a man in its external form, and yet whose consciousness will rise far above the mind and its slavery to ignorance.”
This ascending evolution gives us hope that life is not meaningless. It has a definite purpose. One day, the cosmological evolution will make us more humane in future than what we have managed to become at present ~ “a thinking and speaking animal”. So, what the song ~ “We are the world” says, is going to happen ~ “It’s true we’ll make a better day/ Just you and me.” Indeed, we all are active participants in the cosmological relay race holding and passing the Batons of evolution!
Yours etc.,
Sujit De,
Kolkata