Editor,
This year June 5, 2020 will mark the 46th anniversary of the World Environment Day and the theme this time around is, ‘Time for Nature,’ with a view to determine the role by which Mother Earth provides us the essential commodities and infrastructure that supports us in our daily needs and development. Every year on this special occasion the entire world comes together in various platforms to celebrate this day with various programs and functions etc. But it will be different this year as the people can’t come together but what can we do this time? We can plant at least one tree to rejuvenate Mother Earth.
Yes with the global pandemic and almost all the country at a standstill, Mother Earth plays its part in bringing new vitality and structure to human development, and this we witnessed in almost all the locations of the world where river, air, animals, birds and other creatures come alive again. It’s times for us to rethink and reframe our thoughts because Mother Earth is sending us messages that we ought not to harm or mistreat nature and that if we do so then we will suffer and all the infrastructure and development that we have attained will collapse and definitely we will become extinct. As long as Mother Earth cares for us it’s time for us to cherish those gifts and do our part to reduce the harm to the environment.
Yours etc.,
Badonkupar Mairom
Shella
North Shillong MLA in the news
Editor,
Apropos the articles “Reject fanaticism in any form” (ST.May 28, 2020), “Of God and Caesar” (ST. June 1, 2020), ” a prayer that agitates” (ST. June 3, 2020), ” Christianity and Covid-19″ (ST. June 4, 2020), reading through the letters, I am pleased to see that people read, analyse, write and debate on issues in the public domain (the media). This is a healthy civilized democratic process. I appeal to the reading public to come out in the media and express themselves on issues affecting the daily lives of the public at large. In fact, there are so many issues which pertain to life and death of the people of the state but people are shy, reluctant or afraid to come out in the media. In fact, in times like this when physical and social distancing is not possible let us keep interacting, expressing and debating through the media including print, electronic and of course, the social media. But let us be truthful, creative, constructive and maintain social etiquette.
Coming to the three articles above and one letter to the Editor on the issue of the North Shillong MLA, Adelbert Nongrum praying in the Assembly, on May 22, last, I must be candid in saying that the articles and the letter have sufficiently educated the MLA concerned (perhaps other MLAs as well) and has put him in his place. In fact the article of H.H Mohrmen, Ubahunlang Dkhar and that of Albert Thyrniang have given the MLA a proper dressing down, especially the other one that has badly hit him below the belt. Yes, there are some elements in the articles which are over the top, however, it is a fact that what he did in the Assembly on May 22, last was unprecedented and has exposed his lack of knowledge of the Rules and Conduct of Business in the House and also revealed his sentimental approach to the Covid issue. Again, we all know that he is a man of prayer and even in the District Council Legislative Assembly last time he knelt down on the floor praying silently immediately after he was elected CEM of the KHADC. Members present then were stunned. Praying to God is his private faith and for his spiritual well-being, but not in the Assembly.
Coming to the issue of religion and politics as mentioned in the articles, many have expressed views against mixing religion and politics. Those who advocate this are themselves hypocrites. Many do preach loud and clear to others not to mix religion with politics but openly, compulsively and without any compunction do just the opposite. In this connection, I wish to point out what Mahatma Gandhi and Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa said. The former said, “Anyone who says that religion has nothing to do with politics does not understand what religion is.” Bishop Tutu said, “I am puzzled about what kind of Bible people are reading when they suggest that Religion and Politics do not mix.”
Personally I believe that all major religions teach us to do good and to shun evil deeds. The crux of the matter is that God has not entered the politics of today otherwise He would have cleansed it. Politics is the noble art of service without regard for selfish interests. Politics becomes bad because some people made it bad but politics is not bad in itself. I repeat it is a noble art of service. The problem is that in the day to day practice of politics by many politicians, the good teachings of their religions have not entered politics to purify it. It may be reminded that Jesus Christ was the greatest politician on earth. He brought in a new brand of politics through His life of love and charity to all men in order to demolish the traditional deep rooted politics of hatred and revenge, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, taught and preached by His predecessors, the scribes and Pharisees.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marwein,
Shillong-2
Atmnirbhar Bharat to protect Environment
Editor,
The world is dealing with great COVID-19 challenges. It has badly affected all economic actives. Millions of people have become jobless in this time. People are looking for government efforts for their livelihood. Government of India has announced Atmnirbhar Bharat to fight against Corona crisis. This is a mega project to boost Indian economy again in order to be self dependent in every sector. Atmnirbhar Bharat is a nation wide program to cover industries, health and many more areas.This aims to provide job opportunities and self employment in India. It is also projected as to make Swadeshi at local level. Providing opportunities to make nation self sustaining is a major goal to this program.
Environmental challenges are also increasing; global warming is at alarming stage. Many scientific reports say that India, China and Bangladesh will face extreme challenges of global warming in coming years. Increasing pollution and over exploitation of natural resources are major reasons to it. Government must connect Atmnirbhar Bharat with environment conservation. It can also boost sustainable development as well. Promoting and using unconventional energy resources under this project can be helpful to save environment. At very local level Atmnirbhar Bharat activities can combine people with environment issues. It will lead us for a better and safe future. Saving our nature and earth for upcoming generation is our moral responsibility.
Sincerely yours
Sandeep Bhatt
Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh