Editor,
In light of the two articles that appeared in your daily (ST, Sep 19, 2018) by Ms Warjri and Rev Syiem, I would like to attempt a response to the two views. Firstly, Ms Warjri (whose qualifications I am unaware of), seems to be sermonizing Psychology and Literary/Sociological Theory for the masses. While the attempt is appreciated please leave Psychology to psychologists and Theory to the theorists (both of whom will perhaps be heavily derided by Rev Syiem for deviating from the norm). In addition, I would like to raise the question of picking research, talks and topics which are very much of a certain standpoint. I would then like to question why Warjri has left it open-ended giving it all up to God, in spite of the outstanding body of work she has presented. Of course it is a choice for her to stay in the safe and neutral zone but not pragmatic if one were to engage in the debate. Also kudos to her for reading so much and trying to condense such varied matters in one editorial. It would also be crucial to understand that some of the terms Ms Warjri uses are very loaded in terms of the baggage they carry. Terms such as identity, identity politics, queer theory…etc., I hope that she understands the terms that she uses rather casually.
As for the comments of Ms Warjri that we are aping the West and liberal notions are ‘western’ I would like to ruminate on the origins of the notions of a choir and musical certification. Are not both validated by institutions,( as I am given to understand) that are based in London, England, the mother of all colonialism. It would be prudent for Ms Warjri to also ruminate on the whole notion that to sing in a language that is not yours, to proudly proclaim that your western education has brought laurels is akin to participating in the theater of the colonial.
In response to Rev. Syiem, society/institutions have placed such conditions of worth unto the individual that it becomes difficult for the individual to grow. I am not denying that one must be without conditions. I am also very concerned with the casual use of terms such as ‘responsible.’ In my years of being indoctrinated in Christian teachings, never has it once occurred to me that the role of the church is that of a moral police. The views presented on love with conditions is, in my personal opinion, a very human constructed concept. It is also my understanding that when you place conditions on something you limit its scope. Is it so wrong to love someone with all the shortcomings that you perceive of them, especially being in the church whose most basic principle is love? Personal growth and individuation will not occur if there are too many conditions of worth that are placed on an individual.
Again, it comes back to the question of colonialism. The blessed white man, in all his wisdom, had decided that the ‘hijra’ or the transgender are outcastes, that gay sex is unholy, that God is a white skinned old man with a long white beard. The Indian ethos or even for that matter the Khasi ethos has not gone to such an extent of pathologising these concepts. The ideas that both Ms Warjri and Rev Syiem uphold have their roots in the colonial agenda. I hope that there is an understanding that the church is an off-shoot of colonialism. We cannot undo the past but we can certainly be aware of the repercussions and rifts that one will create (I am not exclusive about this) through one’s words and notions.
Yours etc.,
William Syiem
Via email
Rags to riches story
Editor,
The new MLA Mr Puis Marwien’s story (ST Sep 11, 2018) is like a rags to riches one. Being a Matriculate and leaving High School at the age of sixteen or seventeen his movable and immovable properties now run to a few crores of rupees. He has achieved all these within a very short span of ten years, like Jack Ma (of course not to that extent) of Chinese E-Commerce firm Alibaba. He should be a shining example to unemployed youth and entrepreneurs. As KSU is bringing out a document of their achievements Mr Marwein’s name should feature there as an “achiever” as he was also a Vice-President of a non-descript unit of KSU.
Yours etc.,
P Kharkrang
Shillong – 1
A myopic mindse
Editor,
This has reference to the article ” Filthy Them Mawlong Needs Urgent Sanitisation” by one
J.T.Lyngdoh (ST 18, Sep 2018). The Sikh Community of Shillong is bewildered and disappointed that such a provocative and demeaning article found place in your daily. The writer’s views are myopic and not based on proper understanding of the history of the Sikhs. His pain regarding Them Mawlong may be partially understood by us but under no circumstances can his distortion of facts about the Sikh community be accepted. He appears totally ignorant of the sacrifices of the Sikh community and their valiant role in both the pre and post Independence history of our country.
The Sikhs are a large hearted community and evoke love and respect from people across the world. They are known for their services towards humanitarian causes and certainly not what the writer has portrayed. It would have been better appreciated if the writer had done proper research and not just penned out an article for the sake of it.
As the saying goes – THE WORLD AS WE CHOOSE TO SEE IT – AS SMALL AS YOUR VI EW OR AS LARGE AS IT IS MEANT TO BE…. THE CHOICE IS YOURS.
Yours etc.,
Parambir Singh,
On behalf of the Sikh Community, Shillong.
Managing Committee, Sri Guru Singh Sabha
Shillong