Editor,
The sustained efforts of Tennydard Marak in knocking the doors of the Apex Court in order to ensure that our ex-CM, Dr. Mukul Sangma be declared a non-tribal is laudable. And nothing is more conspicuous in this specific case than what the Hon’ble Supreme Court observed: “There cannot be any dispute that caste is determined by birth and caste cannot be changed by marriage with a person from a scheduled caste.” Therefore, I wish Mr. Marak all success in seeing that Dr. Mukul Sangma is deprived of his tribal entitlement as sued so zealously by this petitioner.
With the benefit of hindsight, I’m having a share of apprehension that if such a noble pursuit is carried through, the same will run counter to the on-going seemingly good-intentioned social crusade launched by the Syngkhong Rympei Thymmai (SRT) who have been indefatigably exploring over time to change the existing traditional matrilineal to patrilineal system of the Hynniewtrep Community. Further, the ruling of the Supreme Court against Dr. Mukul Sangma would have, I figure, a detrimental effect on our tribal males if their inter marriage with the non-tribal ladies could see them losing their rights over their offsprings in adopting their father’s title and conversely, the non tribal mothers shall, by default have the privilege of surname over this wedlock on her children, which for that matter can become an unprecedented case in point. And on the flip side, non-tribal men could be further emboldened to wed our tribal women with a view to have an easy access to economic scopes by way of burrowing their spouse’s title in their business ventures. Either ways, this is indubitably a critical issue and we as tribals are presently finding ourselves walking a tightrope.
Yours etc.,
Jerome K. Diengdoh,
Via email
Religion cannot dictate laws
Editor,
The recent verdict of the Irish Government of legalising abortion is a welcome step. The Irish Government took the decision after Savita Halapannavar, a dentist of Indian origin died of sepsis after she was denied abortion on religious grounds. Religious rules are best followed if they conform to human conscience. Religion can never come in between human freedom and happiness. Although, abortion as such is immoral and unethical but in extreme cases such as that of the Indian dentist, it becomes absolute necessity. The Irish Government by banning the archaic law gave up religious dogmatism and welcomed women’s freedom and dignity.
Yours etc.,
Sadiq Hussain Laskar,
Guwahati.
Landslides happen for a reason
Editor,
I am surprised to read the report in your paper regarding the concerns expressed by GR Infrastructure about the frequent landslides on NH-44 and that the Company is approaching the IITs for solutions. How can a Research and Development team of an infrastructure company be unaware about the reason for landslides.
The simple reason is ignorance in maintaining the slopes in rock cutting for the purpose of road making. Often they cut the rocks vertically to save money. With the passage of time the rocks and soil loosen up and are bound to fall/ slide as rock makes its angles of repose. Hence none should say that landslides are a natural phenomenon. They occur due to severe negligence in road cutting procedures/engineering.
Yours etc.,
Jaipal Singh,
Via email
Contribution of Indigenous peoples
Editor,
The indigenous/tribal communities across the planet are suffering tremendously due to exploitation, loss of their traditional livelihood, lands, forests, traditional socio-cultural practices as well social security. In many countries around the planet they have been reduced to significantly low numbers threatened with extinction in the next five to six decades. Irrespective of their monumental contribution to the human society and civilizations; in most countries their roles have never been truly recognized and honoured appropriately. Rich tribal heritage and traditions should make us all equally proud due to the value that those have added to our societies over several centuries in the form of rich archaeology, socio-cultural history, arts, handicrafts and literature, traditional science and technology, agricultural innovations, ethno-botany and ethno-medicine, forestry & conservation; and above all tribal philosophy. The ancient tribal community life inspires me with their basic philosophy of share and care of all members of a tribe, their meta physiological perspective of life and life processes highlighting that all things in nature are sacred and have equal rights to survive with humans side by side in the same ecosystem or habitat; and that we should not exploit more than what we need for our basic survival.
The rich diversity of different tribal communities with varied ethnicities, languages, cultures, dresses, and religious practices are the cornerstone of most civilizations around the globe. These communities over ages have helped us to evolve as fellow humans enriched in history, tradition, heritage and genetic diversity towards establishing the foundation of our modern human society, plurality as well as democracy. We must learn to accept and respect aboriginal (tribal) communities as the first human settlers in various remote parts of the world that remained unknown to the modern world for several centuries. We must admire the successful establishment of first aboriginal (tribal) settlements along coastal areas, river valleys and foothills laying the foundation of modern human civilization around the planet. Tribal civilizations provided the basic framework that was used to build and rebuild the world over the past several centuries. As fellow humans we should be proud and learn to recognize this rich heritage of our tribal ancestors and feel strongly for these unfortunately and increasingly marginalized communities.
Yours etc.,
Saikat Kumar Basu
Lethbridge AB Canada