Editor,
Now that the Committee has been formed for the demand for District status for Sohra, upgrading it from a Sub-Division, it is fervently hoped that the birthplace of legends like Rabon Singh Kharsuka, Radhon Singh Berry Kharwanlang, Soso Tham, JJM Nicholls Roy, and GG Swell, to name a few, and the land of ka Nohkalikai, Daiñthlen, Nohsngithiang, Khoh Ramhah and Kynrem, will soon regain its pride of place. History is sometimes brutal and merciless snatching away monuments of glory even from the deepest earth. But it also repeats itself most indifferently and in its cycle of reinvention the depths crack and open up for a new and more glorious beginning to emerge. Even the latest geological age of the planet, the Meghalayan Age, gets its name from a cave in Mawmluh under Sohra Sub-Division.
It goes without saying that the ground work prepared and strategised by the said Committee should get due support and endorsement from the local representatives. One representative is known to have been very vocal, albeit in closed circles, about his undying dream of making Sohra a District. Should he be successful, even if he hangs his boots in 2023, his name will be forever engraved in the hearts of the people of Sohra Sub-Division. However, there is one sobering thought. Shall the name Sohra be lost for/to generations to come in the absurd craze of naming all our Districts in the bland and totally unimaginative passion for directions? In my humble opinion, notwithstanding the topography, it is high time we do away with naming our Districts with this undue obeisance and homage to the compass. Just try this: South East Khasi Hills District for Sohra? Surely the achievement will be always overshadowed by a historic blunder. All parties concerned should reflect more deeply on this.
Yours etc.
Banlam K Lyngdoh
Mawmluh
Equitable distribution of property
Editor,
The ST had published letters concerning equitable distribution of properties in Khasi families. In fact a lot of campaigns have been organised by Michael Syiem on the subject by appealing the Khasi parents and the Khasi society at large to ensure equitable distribution of property among children and not to entrust the entire self-acquired and ancestral properties to only the youngest daughter of the family as done by predecessors. I am in total agreement with him on this issue. However, according to my experience and observations, I must clearly state here, that for quite a long time this practice of entrusting the entire property of the family to the youngest daughter (Ka Khatduh) is not a common practice. Khasi families have changed tremendously and have been distributing whatever property and wealth they have among the children, especially among the daughters based on love, wisdom, quantum and discretion and there is no partiality as such, except in very rare cases. This is the case in both urban and rural areas.
Today, the population of the Khasis have multiplied and majority of the Khasi families, both in urban, sub-urban and rural areas are either middle class or poor and do not have property to distribute among the children. In fact, majority of Khasi families are poor and are landless in both urban and rural areas. They may have some savings in banks by way of little cash but again in many cases the cash is not sufficient to distribute among the children when they move out of the families to establish a new home. On the contrary there are also quite a number of Khasi families, about 15 to 20 per cent, which are quite rich having a lot of movable and immovable properties and also crores of rupees both in their safe custody and in banks. They too distribute their wealth among the children. The time has changed so also the families’ treatment towards their children.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marwein,
Via email
Legalise cattle trade
Editor,
Off and on there have been reports of cattle trade happening across the international border with neighbouring Bangladesh albeit in an illegal way. This ‘ trade’ has been there since time immemorial even before attainment of our statehood and has served as an alternative source of income and livelihood to those residing along the international border. This trade has been highlighted by the Border Security Force as an ‘ acute’ problem which poses great challenges at various levels. The spike of beef sales is equally attributed to this ‘ illegal trade ‘ that tilts the balance between demand and supply for consumers and sellers on both sides. Therefore, to bring about some system of economic equality and balance, the state government should table a resolution to legalize the cattle trade across the international border with Bangladesh so that it remains within the control of the law, which until now it is an illegal business and the state continues to endure the loss of revenue due to many factors. Once the trade is legalised everyone interested in the cattle business and its allied activities will automatically gain and it will create employment for the people around the area. However, as long as this illegal business continues, the major share of this trade goes into the pockets of a few and results in the loss to others who may want to venture into the trade in a legal and systematic way.
Yours etc…
Dominic S.Wankhar
Shillong: