Editor,
Mr HS Shylla, the CEM of KHADC has in no uncertain terms created a flutter of sorts in the social milieu of the Khasi tribe, thereby giving a wake-up call to the hitherto slumbering populace by way of his endorsing the Khasi Social Custom of Lineage Bill 2018 in the KHADC. The purported Bill has, inter-alia, envisaged that any Khasi woman marrying a non-Khasi male shall predictably stand to lose her social benefits as entitled to her vide the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and along with her, her off-springs too would lose their tribal status. Additionally, Mr Shylla has given an express statement that any Khasi progeny, who adopts a Khasi father’s surname will just as well be bracketed with those Khasi ladies having non-Khasi spouses, fortuitously giving a debilitating blow to the SRT (Syngkhong Rympei Thymmai) who have advocated – a patrilineal lineage in the entire Hynniewtrep society. Such a community make-over, Shylla avers, is fraught with unethical consequences resulting in wedlock between close-blood relations sometime in the future and this can constitute a taboo/curse or ‘ka Sang’ as per the Khasi moral concept.
Seemingly, Mr. Shylla’s good intentioned aim in trying to safeguard the Khasi fraternity through the said Bill could unleash wide-spread appreciation or unsparing denunciation, but come what may, Mr Shylla is resolutely determined to ensure that this Bill sees through all conceivable hurdles that may be contrived by those averse to the historic social transition in Khasi society. However, I, for one, have somewhat a qualm on the Bill in question when we take up the issue of a Khasi male member who weds a non- Khasi lady which the Lineage Bill is reportedly opposed to. This implies that children born out of such nuptial unions have to take their mother’s title. But the moot point is how can off-springs of such non-Khasi mother ever take the father’s surname? Markedly, children, other than Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities inherently inherit their father’s title. Perhaps, Mr. Shylla ought to discreetly introspect over this critical issue. Either ways, it can be fairly assumed that such subsequent falling into the aforesaid curse or ka sang in case of a marriage of a Khasi to a non- Khasi lady is arguably inconceivable !
Yours etc
Jerome K. Diengdoh,
Shillong- 2
Competence and academic qualification
Editor,
Apropos the letter written by Salil Gewali captioned, “Does competence depend on academic qualification?” (ST Dec 28, 2018) my answer would be ‘Yes, its does’ barring a few cases which Mr Gewali has mentioned in his letter. These exceptional cases, according to me, should not be construed as a general rule. We have seen almost in every case that a person who has excelled academically has always shone in his/her career. Take the example of toppers, in this competitive world. If we dig into their backgrounds, we shall find that they have always done better than their peers during their academic period. I don’t think that it would be a mistake to measure one’s competence with a yardstick of one’s academic qualification.
However, I agree with Mr Gewali that a person’s competence is his/her inherent calibre. Therefore, keeping aside technical career/profession, where technical academic qualification is a must, selected career/ profession can be de-linked from educational qualification. We have seen some engineers or doctors performing well as the administrative head of an organization. Similarly, an editor of a newspaper need not possess a prescribed degree compulsorily. A person can be an excellent editor if such person has acquired a good command over the language of the newspaper edited by him/her. Of course, an editor has to be courageous, independent and logical in thinking, besides possessing other inherent qualities. This will provide some scope to an adult, mature person to change his career/profession later in his life. One need not be always bonded to a career/ profession chosen by his parents or chosen by him, during the earlier phase of life.
Your etc.
Krishna Chettri
Shillong- 2
Unbecoming comments by BJP MP on RBI
Editor,
BJP MP Anurag Thakur’s recent comments on the RBI keeping a reserve of 32%, that, “it is not a raid on RBI, but it is the RBI’s raid on the economy”, is most unfortunate. Mr Thakur is a prominent political leader from among the younger generation, and was also a President of BCCI. One would have thought that a personality like him would use better language to put forward his views. Such attacks on the leading financial institution of the country not only hurts the institution, but also the people associated with it and the nation as a whole. It is expected that political leaders would understand the subject well and refrain from making such derogatory remarks.
Yours etc.,
A Bhuyan,
Via email
Environment is important!
Editor,
Unfortunately, ecology and environment appear to be of least concern for international media when it comes to news coverage with politics taking the top order. However, mass environmental education and awareness is extremely important for keeping the public aware of significant environmental issues directly or indirectly impacting their lives and a shared future. My sincere gratitude to the entire editorial team and the dedicated reporters and staff members of a section of Indian newspapers for being pro- environment and for providing enough space to ecology and environment through regular publication in the form of environment related news, op-ed, columns, feature stories, letters to editors and stunning nature based images on their front pages. They deserve gratitude for their dedication and monumental service in public education and awareness. Our future destiny is now regulated by negative anthropogenic impacts on our highly fragile ecosystems and environment. Some newspapers have taken great initiative in supporting the conservation of local forests, wildlife and biodiversity and been extremely successful in dissemination of conservation related initiatives. Keep up the good work!
Yours etc.,
Saikat Kumar Basu
Lethbridge AB Canada