Editor,
The whole of Shillong is shocked at the demise of Dr John Sailo. His contributions as a physician are immense. I understand that everyone in Shillong in particular has visited Bethany Hospital which was started by Dr Sailo, at least once in his/her lifetime either for treatment or to visit patients. The incident that happened at Jhalupara on April 15 where an unruly crowd which also defied curfew had gathered to prevent the cremation of Dr Sailo is grotesque and inhuman. My only question to them is what if someone from their locality dies of Covid19? What would they do? Do they have the answer? Shillong can never forgive such an inhuman act!
Yours etc.,
Anjan Kumar Das.
Shillong-6
What legacy are we leaving?
Editor,
Dr John was a stalwart, standing tall among his fellow men. Yet he was the epitome of humility. He was a philanthropist to the core and many a poor patient would attest to the fact that he would cheerfully waive aside the bills whatever be the amount. A gentle giant he would always have a word to share and a smile for everyone however busy his schedule. His contributions during his illustrious career for the people of Meghalaya I need not elaborate. After having done so much for the people of Meghalaya I am deeply saddened at the way his mortal remains were treated by the very same people whom he cared for. He could not even find a space in his beloved farm for his final rest.
I do not want to go into the merits and demerits of the case. I only shudder to think what sort of legacy we are leaving for the future generation bereft of humanity.
May God grant your soul eternal rest Dr, John and I pray for strength to his family in these traumatic days.
Yours etc.,
Dr Tridib Kakoty
Animal Concern
Shillong
Death of humanity
Editor,
Mahatma Gandhi said, “You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” This powerful saying holds true for what happened on April 16 last. In spite of the disgraceful uproar by the residents of Jhalupara regarding the cremation of the (L) Dr. Sailo at the electric crematorium at and the denial of burial by the Dorbar Shnong of Nongpoh ostensibly because he died of Covid-19, humanity is all not dead. The Riatsamthiah Presbyterian Church has graciously provided a burial space for Dr Sailo at their cemetery at Lawmali. It may have been the will of God to have finally honored the body of the deceased with a burial in a manner that claims his faith. It is also encouraging to read that the village of Mawryngkneng also came forward to offer its land for either a burial or a cremation of the deceased. One would like to add here that the Seng Khasi Kmie had also offered to allow the cremation of the body of Dr Sailo at its cremation ground at Jaiaw. As an upholder of the indigenous faith, one was always taught that we must love our own and respect the other. For us, a dead body deserves reverence and respect irrespective of the deceased person’s religion, caste or creed. Today when Dr Sailo has been buried in full honour, one prays for the departed soul to rest in peace and for God to provide comfort and solace to family members and his near and dear ones.
The turn of events however raise a few queries. Firstly, is the State Government really prepared? Claims are being made time and again about the preparedness of the state to handle COVID – 19 if it ever strikes any citizen of the state. Credit must be given where it is due. The State Government did act quickly the day our state reported the one case of infection by sealing the entire area around Bethany Hospital and turning the hospital into a Covid – 19 camp. However the state government failed enormously on April 15. In spite of it being a curfew how was large numbers of residents of Jhalupara and Mawbah allowed to step out of their houses in the presence of state government officials and the police? Videos go viral over how policemen would spank one or two curfew violators in different parts of the state. But that day they stood numb. The state government was actually carrying out duties as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Health Family Welfare, Government of India to either cremate or bury the body of an infected patient. However, on that fateful day, the state government was hijacked by a large group of law-defying citizens at the electric crematorium site. It was sad to witness the pathetic state that the deceased was put through and I am also ashamed at the lack of sensitivity of the people. At the same time what was also projected was a complete failure on the part of the district administration. Why this lapse of duty?
The second pertinent question is, God forbid, what if another victim falls prey and is devoured by this deadly virus? Will that departed soul and the family members be subjected to the same ordeal? Thirdly, will the state government identify and punish the violators at Jhalupara who created obstruction to a decision taken by the government?
One wonders how the residents of Jhalupara, who came out to stop the state authorities from performing their duties, were not afraid to come out in large numbers without maintaining social distancing? Were they not afraid of violating the law? Were they not afraid of being infected by the virus? Why should they have apprehension about the smoke that would emit from the pyre and envelope the locality when the chimney is of such a great height? Moreover Covid – 19 is not an airborne disease as claimed by experts in the field.
To conclude, these are indeed difficult and trying times for the state government and all the officials in the various departments but it must also be stated here that certain situations demand certain actions that will uphold law and order alongside providing an atmosphere of safety and security for all.
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email