Editor,
Apropos to the letter ‘Rejoinder’(ST July 13, 2018) which was specifically meant for me and the subsequent stinging remarks at the end, I feel obliged to explore more on my stand. First of all the intention of my article was less of criticism and more of constructive debate allowing the readers to have a macroscopic view on the issue. Secondly, the essence of my article centred around two main points: 1) To expand the scope of understanding how religion influences culture in bigger ways than other factors and 2) How wrong we are to say one religion suits one community the best than others.
Nowhere throughout my article did I mention that Christianity was the source of the caste system, but one fact is true, caste became part of Christianity in our country because the converts could not escape the age-old social stratification. My arguments revolve around this fact and I just highlighted the reality about how Christianity has failed and has done little to remove this erroneous practice. Both caste and class division goes against the ethos of Christianity i.e., equality and dignity, then why on earth does the silence persist?
The materialistic projection of religious affiliations might sound odd to the writer, but this is the reality. Any person exposed to the brutality of poverty, hunger, sickness etc., will be ready to trade his faith in return for an honourable life. The ease of conversion and reconversion in rural pockets with least developmental indicators is a reflections of this fact, because their religious affiliation becomes the qualifying factor for benefits. The admission procedure to missionary run schools in our state as highlighted by Hasting Shangdiar is very strong argument. In fact there are several points raised by him which sound convincing and to which I wish Mawrie could respond. So how can we ignore the materialistic angle in a country where two-thirds of the population consists of rural poor households!
The food and dress debate too is no rocket science to understand. Christianity has an inherent western outlook so how can we separate clothing from it. Even colours have different meanings for different religions. For some white means purity and the beginning of marital bondage while for others it symbolises widowhood. Having no restriction on food habits in itself becomes a norm or standard which sets Christianity apart from others.
Finally, on the remarks about my ignorance on the theological aspects, indeed I agree 100%. As laypersons we tend to practice what we understand and believe. The technicality of the subjects is meant for the domain experts. But the world is in turmoil simply because people as propagated by their leaders are busy dissecting and cementing their religious affiliation barriers and showcasing the theological prowess of one over the others only to forget to practice the simple art called HUMANISM. As the Holy Mother Teresa said, “If you spend your time judging people, you have no time to love them.” This indeed is the answer to everything.
Yours etc.,
Sonie Kharduit,
Via email
‘Of religious arrogance’
Editor,
This has reference to the rejoinder published in the ST on July 13, 2018, by Barnes Mawrie, SDB in reference to an article by Sonie Kharduit – A Reality Check on the Caste Paradox (July 12, 2018). It is distressing to see people attacking other religions on this space and this displays an infantile attitude of “mine is better than yours” that does not suit adults far less members of religious orders. As far as my awareness goes, priests of any religion are not privileged to have the benefit of a comprehensive course in comparative religion. As such their knowledge of other religions is limited. So while it may be alright to comment on their own religion, their comments on other religions are mostly a result of prejudice. In attacking other religions they end up becoming antireligious because the basic tenet of all religions is love and universal brotherhood.
Though there are passages in every religious text which can be held up to attack a religion, such attacks defeat the very purpose of religious practice, especially for those who don the robes of priesthood. Realities such as slavery and caste hood have existed across the globe and have often been upheld by ignorant proponents of their faith at one time or the other. Though there are many books on comparative religion perhaps they can begin their appreciation of other religions by reading a very basic text, “The Religions of Man”, by Huston Smith who was a Professor of Philosophy at the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Yours etc.,
Paramjit Bakhshi,
Via email
Revamp the Fire Service
Editor,
Every time a calamity occurs in the city or its outskirts the first emergency responders are the fire and ambulance services which at times go un-noticed and are often not appreciated. We have witnessed fire incidents in different parts of the city and also outskirts which raises an important question as to whether or not various agencies are aware of the NDRF guidelines and whether or not the disaster management systems are regularly fine-tuned to the changing emergency trends. The state government receives funds to augment and improve its emergency services from the Central Government but of late the fire service department is left to its own devices to render emergency services. Those in authority manning the Department seem to be in deep slumber and are unaware of the future security and emergency needs. This present NPP led- coalition government must start the process of creating or setting -up more fire service stations on a cluster model basis by increasing the number of personnel and equipping them with more modern emergency equipment’s, better vehicles and more importantly making the department more effective. This will go a long way in preparing for natural calamities like cyclones, earthquakes etc., which God forbid should not occur anytime soon.
Yours etc..
Dominic S.Wankhar
Shillong
NEHU delays results of 6th semester
Editor,
Graduating students under North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) are faced with a difficult position while applying for their further studies especially outside Shillong as institutions demand the mark sheets of the 6 semesters, but delay in declaring the results has put students in a dilemma as some institutions are declining admissions of students are unable to present their last semester mark sheet. NEHU is expected to keep this in mind and to declare the 6th semester results for the graduating students of 2018 at the earliest.
Yours etc.,
Queeneerich Km,
Via email