Editor,
As a teenage girl living at a time when the rate of violence against women and children are ridiculously high, I would like to express my concern as an aggravated citizen, wondering what went wrong in the world that God so artistically created. Instead of shaming society and attacking the atrocious minds of perpetrators however, I would like to take this opportunity to focus on the positive steps that people have been taking in order to condemn the numerous crimes against women on a daily basis and how they can be prevented.
I had the privilege of attending the programme conducted at the campus of Bethany Society on Saturday, the 21st of April 2018, by Thma U Rangli (TUR), discussing “Hate Crimes, Moral Policing and Violence against Women and Children”. Listening to what different eminent personalities and speakers from different fields had to say regarding the heinous events that have taken place in the past, especially the very recent past, against the so-called ‘fairer sex’, left me feeling motivated and hopeful. The way society perceives rape, murder, harassment and so on, the way social media is both a platform to express views as well as a tool that prods scars till they leave fresh wounds, the way ‘hatred’ turns the freedom of expression into a mere abstract and the way the community addresses cases of violence, making up a poor response system, are all only tiny branches in this huge tree of what we refer to as ‘the causes of evil actions’.
I was amazed to see the level of dedication that NGOs, social groups, individuals themselves and organizations, especially TUR, have shown towards the betterment of the condition of women, including the community at the ‘individual level’ and raising, not just issues, but also better strategies of tackling such issues. The youth today work along with the experienced sections of society to have a look at the various dimensions that make up the bigger picture-which is much more than rape or harassment. Crimes against women may be said to include sexist, communal, intolerance and at times, also political aspects.
It is true that a lot more work is required to be done to meet success in this field but the initiatives that certain sections have taken need to be applauded. Further, the ‘normalcy’ of crime in our daily lives needs to be addressed. It’s high time we realise that ‘rape is not a crime against women but against society’. It’s also high time that we collaborate to wipe out such atrocities from the face of the planet, as well as to work on our individual mentality. It’s high time we overcome the fear that grips the heart of each vulnerable citizen today. It’s high time we fight. It’s high time!
Yours etc.,
Athira Saji,
Shillong-14
Meghalaya must nurture its thinkers!
Editor,
Let me acknowledge, at the outset, that I am a die-hard fan of Patricia Mukhim because of her bold, rational and brilliant write-ups. As a matter of fact, Meghalaya is really blessed to have given birth to some brilliant thinkers/writers who are bold, unbiased and at the same time write most effortlessly. I am really constrained to say that a person of Mukhim’s stature is unlucky to have been born in Meghalaya but on the other hand, Meghalaya is extremely lucky to have been receiving the astute services of a journalist/writer like Patricia Mukhim who is working so tirelessly, through her writings, with the sole aim of doing the best possible for the overall welfare of the people of the state and the country. She has been pointing out at the existing loopholes and defects in various systems and at the same time, unlike most of the main-land writers, maintaining her unbiased positions vis-a-vis innocent, helpless and tortured people of this state. One of the most distinct qualities of hers is that she does not stop after making her hard hitting remarks as she immediately goes on suggesting remedial measures for the stated ailments. Now, what could be more pathetic and shameful for the state of Meghalaya if benevolent persons like Mukhim are attacked so brazenly and mindlessly by some people with vested interests or if the perpetrators of that cowardly attack could not be apprehended by the law-keepers and put behind bars till date!
Yours etc.,
Partha Sarathi Gupta,
Via email
Who cares about street children?
Editor,
Shillong the “Rock Capital Of India”, the land which is highly influenced by western culture where everything looks attractive and perfect from the outside but as we go deep into the colourful lights and delve into the heart of the matter we find many stories of agony which go unnoticed and untold. Kids are supposed to be the future of any country but even in the 21st century some kids in our country continue to starve even while the affluent throw their food in the dustbin instead of offering it to the needy, hungry ones. Children don’t even get proper education; they can’t even dream of going to school; they don’t have proper shelter, leave alone proper clothing. They are street children! Eventually they have to work for a living. So we have child labour which goes unchecked.
At a phase of their lives when they should have carried school bags on their back, they are carrying sack loads of sand and stones at a construction site just to support themselves and their families. Is this the life these kids dream about! Will things ever change for the better?
Yours etc.,
Tanushree Deb,
Via email