Editor,
A recent hard hitting article by Patricia Mukhim has laid bare the trend of hypocrisy and blindness that has affected the sanctity of Christianity in our so-called ‘ Christian state’. The recent political elections have also had a bearing on the majority Christians irrespective of which denomination they belong to and primarily amongst those of the Catholic faith which has a far and wide influence. The sermons and nudging to pray and vote for good leaders in real sense had no impact at all when the very people who contested were throwing away tons and tons of money which also came by way of sponsoring church programs and other religious festivals. Unfortunately we see that the leaders in the church were too happy and obliged to pay attention to the contestants. The more money you threw the better was your reach for votes. Now if Christ was present in person today and witnessed his faithful indulging in such acts, no doubt He would have whipped them like those trying to scandalise the sanctity and spirituality of His Name. Perhaps change would only come if the world would turns two thousand years backwards.
Yours etc…
Dominic S. Wankhar,
Via email
CM’s community immaterial
Editor,
For all the people raking up the issue of electing a Khasi Chief Minister, the poignant question I would like to ask them is, “Do we have an alternative legislator who can take the mantle of leading a beleaguered State? The only viable alternative is Dr Donkupar Roy whose party managed a paltry six seats in the recently concluded elections. The rest of the legislators do not inspire much confidence. Until we elect a more capable and suitable Khasi legislator, we should be content with the incumbent Chief Minister since he seems wise, humble and willing enough to lead us through turbulent and uncertain times.
Yours etc.,
Gary Marbaniang,
Via email
Danger zone!
Editor,
Through this letter, I humbly appeal to the district administration under the new dispensation to review the decision of the Traffic authorities for allowing plying of vehicles in the narrow stretch of road from Bhagyakul junction towards Upland Road during the busy school hours. On this road, two reputed schools, namely St Margaret’s Higher Secondary School and St Mary’s School are located. The residents of Upland Road park their cars on the road, which makes the situation more complicated. It is a common sight that children and parents have to take literally step on the drains by the side of the road to save their lives and belongings. Any fatal accident may occur any day. By allowing vehicles to ply on this road during the busy school hours, the authorities are endangering public safety.
I hope the district administration will look into this important issue of public safety and take appropriate measures to save the lives of school children and their parents.
Yours etc.,
Niladree Bhattacharjee
Via email
The price of change!
Editor,
The swearing in ceremony of the new MDA government came as a surprise to everyone, not that the NPP and its alliance would be forming the government but to see how much control the BJP had gained through the process that brought about this formation. By definition a facilitator is someone who helps a person or organization do something more easily or helps to find answers to a problem by discussing matters and suggesting a way forward. The question that arises then is not whether BJP should have been involved in this process but rather how much control the NPP and its alliance have given away so easily. The one thing we can admire about the BJP is their deep seated conviction about what they believe in. It is said that it is almost impossible to fight with a person who has deep- seated convictions. It therefore seems pointless and meaningless for us to continue to find fault with the BJP and its ideology. Rather we as a people individually and corporately need to introspect and find out what our deep seated convictions really are. The truth is that most of us are practical atheists; we do not really believe with what we agree. The challenge then for the present leadership in the government and for all of us as a people is to once again wrestle with that question that Pilate the Roman Governor asked Jesus Christ, “What is truth?” Since then all of the world’s kingdoms, rulers, emperors and governments have had to wrestle and face up with the challenge of how they would respond to this question. I agree with the BJP that change is coming, but that change will only be determined by the cost that we are willing to pay. The BJP seems to be determined to pay the price for the change that they want to bring about, but are the people of Meghalaya really willing to pay the price for the change that they want to bring about.
Yours etc.,
Pyndapbha Warjri