Bill that seeks to divide

Editor,

The Khasi Lineage Bill, whether it passes or not, has already succeeded in stirring up quite a debate within our society. In
relation to the concern regarding the future of the community, the more vocal viewpoint has been that only the children of two Khasi
parents can be Khasis and hence perpetuate the community. To this I wish to say that there are many, whose parents or grandparent(s) are
of another community, who still strongly identify as Khasi. This is apparent in their observance of language and culture and therein lies
the keyword, Culture. Shouldn’t cultural identity also count? Why would this constitute an external threat? This is how we have come to
be and it will continue to be so. As far as lineage goes, by tradition we have been a matrilineal society i.e if one’s mother is Khasi, then
one is a Khasi too. In other patrilineal cultures, similarly, the lineage would be traced through the father (whether the mother is of
the same community or not). Furthermore, questioning one’s ‘Khasi-ness’ is quite redundant. We’d have to go back at least a
hundred and fifty years if preservation of homogeneity is the ideal. We are all culturally Khasi even if we vary on the aforementioned
degree of ‘Khasi-ness’. I would also like to add that even if, for fairness’ sake, it is argued that the bill ought to extend to Khasi
men who marry outside the community, it would be equally unjust. No law or government should attempt to take away one’s identity. Overall,
it would not bode well for the future of the community if we seek to protect it by abandoning our own, as a consequence of whom they marry.
Both men and women are a vital part of our society and we simply cannot rise by pulling the other down.

Yours etc.,
Riabaki Laloo
Shillong – 14

Alternative site for Medical college

 Editor,

The proposed site for Shillong Medical College in the public private partnership (PPP) mode in the present Reid Chest Hospital, Mawbah appears to be improper in view of the facts noted below :

1. The existing Reid Chest (TB) Hospital which is the proposed site for setting up the Shillong Medical College is very congested and the entrance to the premises is through a crowded junction. Chances of having an alternative entrance route appears futile in view of the topography with steep slopes at the site location.
2. A Medical College, supposedly, should be located at a distance from immediate habitations so that the people residing in the vicinity of the area are free from toxic substances caused by medical or pathological waste like blood-borne pathogens, used medical instruments like syringe, etc. Areas like Mawprem, Mawbah, Lummawbah, etc. are very close to the site and also densely populated. It is therefore not conducive for the setting up of such proposed medical college. Medical Colleges should possess a sufficiently expansive space so that the in-house activities are well managed to ensure that the waste is disposed off responsibly with more environment-friendly methods.
3. According to the norms of the Medical Council of India (MCI), land requirement for the buildings for the College, Hospital, Hostels for students, interns, pg/residents, nurses, Laboratories and Library should not be less than 10 acres in a place of gentle slopes in hilly areas.. Hence, the proposed Shillong Medical College should comply to the MCI norms.
4. It is understandable that the Shillong Medical College will initially have a capacity of 50 students, which is why it is justifiable to have it set up at the proposed site. But there is always that element of future expansion which should be taken into account and dealt with, hence, the alternate desire for an expansive site.
5. The proposed Medical College project under the PPP mode will be beneficial only for well-to-do families and it will not serve the low and middle income indigenous people of the State as the fees will be exorbitant

 In view of the above-mentioned points the Shillong Medical College (SMC) project approved by the previous State Government under PPP should be reviewed. The  Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) may review the earlier decision by taking into consideration the MCI norms and also the issues that  will be faced by the people of Meghalaya and the people living in Khasi-Jaintia Hills Districts in particular. Below are some of the suggestions:

The proposed SMC may be changed to State Government MC and be shifted to New Shillong Township or any other place nearby in an area of not less than 300 acres.Government of India may be requested to sanction another State Govt. MC in addition to the one in Tura. Central Government in Delhi will definitely approve the said SMC(State Govt. not PPP) in Shillong besides the Central MC in NEIGRHIMS in the interest of the economically weaker families of Meghalaya.

The proposed MC site at Mawbah (TB Hospital) may be considered for other Health centres with full equipments and it will relieve the problems faced by Shillong Civil Hospital to attend to ever increasing patients who always fail to receive proper attention and accommodation.

The approved Medical College under PPP may be done away with and in its place, Shillong Medical College(State Government) may be set up in a suitable area and a proper site.

 Yours etc., 

1. Liningstar Lyngdoh,

Shillong-6