Editor,
This is in response to the article by Fabian Lyngdoh titled, “ Life, death and suicide im the Khasi thought,” (ST Sep 20, 2017) regarding suicide. Fabian Lyngdoh has clearly stated the Khasi position on life and death and he is an erudite man and prolific writer who commands respect when he speaks. However, I have to stand up for all those unheard, unseen and stigmatised people whom he mercilessly castigates in his article.
Suicide is a global public health problem that claims one person every 40 seconds worldwide. The rate in India and Meghalaya is showing this trend also and it is an incontrovertible fact that the rate is on the rise. We must also remember that for every completed suicide there are 25 more unreported unsuccessful attempts. The Government of India has enacted the landmark Mental Health Care Act 2017 which recognises suicide as an act of a person who needs urgent specialised psychological help and not a cognisable offence under the IPC.
Biblical scholars have not found any outright condemnation of the act of suicide in the Bible but what is the stated position of most of Christendom as far as the official position on suicide is concerned? Let us hope that spiritual leaders will follow the legal position and practice their faith with humane and considerate feelings for those in distress. We know that this same Bible exhorts us not to judge.
For the Khasi the final act of taking one’s life is immortalised through the legend of Ka Likai who gives her name to the world famous falls. We all share her pain and do not condemn her for her act but instead curse the nameless husband who forced her to take this extreme step.
I request the media, both print and electronic to be more sensitive when reporting suicides and do not use the term COMMIT but instead use DIE by suicide. This will minimise the trauma of family members who are known of as suicide survivors and who have to live a lifetime of self doubt, recrimination, remorse, self blame and stigma and through it all, face the eternal question WHY for every day of their remaining lives. The other 25 unreported attempters may then feel that someone understands their pain and may even be persuaded to avail of help!
Please remember that it is against all human instincts to take a life, especially one’s own and it is not a perverted criminal mind that makes one take their own life but inconsiderate words, insensitive and unfeeling society, and a psychological distress that is unbearable, that does so. Let all who read this know that every suicide is preventable if we take a minute to listen, understand and be a friend to anyone who expresses a desire to end their life. Please do not judge and instead gently direct them to mental health care which is available at all hospitals in Shillong, Tura and Jowai also. There is a 24 hour Toll Free Helpline that anyone can call at 1800 345 3655 at all hours of the day and night where free psychological support and help is available.
Yours etc.,
Dr. Sandi Syiem
Via email
Degeneration of human values!
Editor,
“It is the quality of our work which will please God and not quantity” said Mahatma Gandhi. Perhaps it is a human weakness that the more we get the more we want. But we also want quality in every sphere of our lives. We want quality food, quality drinking water, quality air to breathe, quality education, quality roads, quality health care, quality clothes, quality shoes, quality cars, quality entertainment, etc. As consumers, the query we have before the seller, after the price, is whether the quality of the product we wish to buy is good. We cannot and do not want to compromise with quality.
But the bigger challenge emerges when quality is measured from yardstick set by others. Hence our own perception of quality is dictated by someone else. While we want clean and healthy drinking water, pure and good quality air to breathe, healthy and unadulterated food and much more it is equally true that our selfish pursuit of material wealth pushes us to pollute the water, air and surroundings. How can we have quality air and water without fighting those who are polluting our rivers, streams, forests, food and environment? How many of us can give up materialism and think of the collective good against personal advantage? We continue to grumble about everything under the sun but don’t bother to extend our helping hand for the collective good in our words and deeds.
Man needs to understand that life has a lot to offer and that life finds meaning in the numerous actions we take. The path we choose and the choices we make defines who we really are. Hence life on earth must be lived purposefully because life is about love and compassion, friendship and camaraderie and unity amidst variety. In this way while seeking for the best of quality in every sphere of life man’s intrinsic goodness must not be compromised. Man is the highest creation of God. He is showered with gifts of innocence, piety, purity and sanity but alas these gifts are now bartered for something material gain. The sorry state of affairs is the visible deterioration of the quality of mankind morally, ethically and spiritually. Our inherent principles, innocence and goodness are replaced by fear, apprehension and trepidation. Human values have deteriorated and filled this world with pain, fear, anger and hatred. If human values were intact we would not have so much hatred, jealousy, anger, greed, assault, molestation, rape, murder, killing, dishonesty, treachery, deceit, etc.
Today life is more challenging for each one of us because it involves daily soul-searching. We need to introspect on our personal actions and journey in life. When we fail to combat actions that are detrimental to human values our life deteriorates. We lose our sanity and goodness, our purity of heart and mind that we are born and blessed with. What good would material wealth and quality be while there is an unabashed surrender of our innate good qualities of heart and mind to crass commercialism?
Aristotle writes: Quality is not an act, it is a habit.” Can we make it a habit to imbibe qualities of goodness, piety, humility, modesty, tolerance, compassion, generosity and kindness? Yes! We surely can because we are carved in the image of God, blessed by the One above with assets that are priceless and invaluable! Thereby we can make this world a living paradise; an edifice of love and togetherness.
Yours etc.,
Jennifer Dkhar,
Via email
Terrorism the present challenge!
Editor
This refers to your report “Swaraj attacks Pak at United Nations” (ST- Sep 24, 2017). India has never bowed before terrorism and will never do. Enough is enough! Terrorism is strongly condemned in all its forms and manifestations and stressed that there can be no justification whatsoever for any acts of terrorism. Terrorism of course is a major problem which is agitating every one of us. Terrorism is the greatest challenge for the world today as it is not only causing human suffering but also impeding peace & development. Both India & Pakistan should be pro active and should take some strict action against agents of terror before we lose more lives. India needs to put an end to all the terror outfits situated in their land permanently We should be pro active and should take strict actions before we lose more lives.
Yours etc.,
Vinod C. Dixit
Ahmedabad- 15