Editor,
The debate about the Khasi Social Custom of Lineage Bill has become very engaging. The myriad of legal, constitutional, customary, moral, practical, biological and anthropological implications and ramifications of the Bill have already received enormous commentary and attention. We are moreover also in this age of rapid transformation in our lifestyles influenced and shaped by science and technology which I suppose the respected 29 members of the KHADC are also enjoying. My fervent appeal to the learned authors and promoters of this Bill is why not also seek the help of modern technology to determine who is a 100% blue blooded Khasi? The test can be done through DNA Forensics Laboratory , 44F/9 , 2nd Floor , Rajendra Complex, Kishangarh , Sector – A, Vasant Kunj , New Delhi – 110070 ; Email:[email protected]; www.dnaforensics.in ; Tel: 9289867771/8010177771. The test will actually be conducted in the US and will take about three weeks. One test costs Rs. 15,000. The Sample Collection Kit costs Rs.1500. I got one when I visited the DNA Forensics Laboratory , recently. I thought I could present it to the respected Chief Executive Member of KHADC if he is willing to go through the process. All the 29 members of the KHADC can also vote on a budget to undergo the process of determining their 100% Khasi blue blood. Proof of a 100% Khasi DNA gene means empowering them even more to be enthroned as the Saviours of the Khasi tribe and community .
I am a diplomat who has represented India abroad in different capacities including as Ambassador and also served in Delhi. I am inter-generationally of mixed blood but my identity as a Khasi has been nothing else but prominent. That made several of our fellow Khasis including ministers, politicians and leading business persons to approach me for all kinds of help. More significantly, a non-Khasi colleague of mine married to a Khasi lady went out his way to use his position as Ambassador of India to the UN in Geneva to promote an acclaimed celebrity Khasi fashion designer in organizing a very successful exhibition of Khasi costumes and attire in Geneva . Does anyone in the KHADC even have any idea how to promote Khasi costumes and attires in Delhi, leave alone in Geneva?
The Bill also contains elements of the Eugenics project of Nazi Germany under Hitler which is very dangerous and pernicious. So respected 29 KHADC members please do some heart and soul-searching introspection and study, lest you cut the nose to spite the face !
Yours etc.,
Rudi Warjri
Via email
Of internet games
Editor,
The article “Beware of Momo Challenge” is a timely written article by B.K.Mishra. The article depicts the dangers of this online Game, especially in this fast changing internet world where we are just a click away. In our country we have seen how fast such games penetrate into our society. It becomes more dangerous when Indians are the fastest growing users of WhatsApp. We have seen the effects of the Blue Whale game in our country where young lives have been cut short. Hope this timely article will caution the parents as also the youth and they will be extra diligent about not falling into this trap. Mishra’s writing has made the citizens more aware of the various cyber crimes. Hope he continuous doing so for the benefit of the citizens, especially the youth.
Yours etc.,
Ricky Wallang,
Via email
How Meghalaya missed the CAU !
Editor,
On Aug 2, last our Agriculture Minister, Banteidor Lyngdoh gave full vented his grievance against the Union Ministry of Agriculture while speaking to the reporters in Shillong on the non-setting up of the proposed Central Agricultural University (CAU) at Kyrdem Kulai, Ri Bhoi district. In this interaction with the media, the Minister averred that at the request initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture in the Department of Agricultural Research& Education (DARE), a piece of land measuring 226.37 acres was handed over by Meghalaya Govt. to the Vice Chancellor of CAU, Imphal for establishing the Agriculture Varsity. Oddly, such generous gift of prime land at Ri Bhoi was purportedly not matched with any reciprocation from the powers that be since 2014, as reiterated by the Minister in question. In this context I would beg to differ that the said land which measured 226.37 acres was in fact 200 acres instead, as the residual space of 26.37 acres was allotted to the Directorate of Horticulture for establishing the much needed Apex Training Centre for the beneficiaries. Incidentally, this stretch of land was offered free of cost as per Memorandum of Transfer (MOT).
It may be recalled that on the fore-going issue I had, in fact, broached in these very columns over a year ago where I had indicated that it was way back in 2003 that Meghalaya was first offered, among others in the Region, to explore means of establishing such a farm varsity. Sadly, however, it was due to lack of motivation and lackadaisical approach of our key political leaders and administrators that led to our state being deprived of the benefit of having such an enviable institute which could have gone miles not only in imparting farm education but also solving the unemployment problems of a vast army of youths along the lines of the existing health institute – NEIGRIHMS and for good measure ensure the socio-economic benefits of local farmers.
Markedly, having seen the dilly-dallying and couldn’t care less attitude of Meghalaya, the CM of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu approached the Union Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Sadarshan Bhagat to impress upon the latter that Arunachal Pradesh was very anxious to provide suitable spacious land for instituting a Central Agriculture University. In a word, it therefore appears that Meghalaya, through its Agriculture Minister is now crying over spilt milk!
Yours etc.,
Jerome K. Diengdoh,
Via email
Deficit school teachers in dire straits
Editor,
The High Court of Meghalaya has shown respect to the deficit teachers of Meghalaya by directing the State Government to come up with a clear cut affidavit as to whether they are going to give pension and other benefits to the deficit school teachers as per the recommendations of the fifth pay panel within three weeks. (as published in your esteemed daily on 4th August). In this connection, let me remind the Chief Minister that after a long struggle by the Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers’ Association’, it was the Purno Sangma ministry that sanctioned the present pay structure to the deficit school teachers of Meghalaya w.e.f January 1, 1987 and that the Ministry also assured the deficit school teachers that pension and other benefits would be sanctioned in the next pay panel. But now more than 30 years have passed by but no Government has respected this assurance given to the teachers.
In fact, deficit school teachers are shouldering the maximum load of providing education to the maximum number of students in Meghalaya as the number of government schools are few and far between. It is an irony that deficit school teachers are severely deprived of their old age security and forced to live a painful life after retirement. Is this the reward that society gives to the deficit school teachers?
I urge to the present ministry and the Hon’ble High Court of Meghalaya to pursue this matter and give justice by sanctioning pension benefit for old age security to the deficit school teachers of Meghalaya.
Yours etc.,
Reeta Ghosh (National Awardee Teacher),
Shillong-4