Editor,
Yes the timeline for MCS results seem to be blowing in the wind. We hope the results will come in sooner than later. All concerned, right from the Commission members, to those who examine papers right down to the officers and staff of the office should expeditiously do their part. As for appointing a Chairperson, it will necessarily require the consent of the Chief Minister. The MPSC may not be able to suggest or propose any name since convention has it that the appointment is purely a political decision. What happened with me stands out as a case study although I am not sure it will not be repeated. I may, for the sake of public interest point out things as recorded in my personal diary
The then Chairperson PJ Sangma died in harness at Nazareth Hospital. The Chairmanship fell on Oris Syiem Myriaw (Oris Lyngdoh) who retired on November 1, 2002, leaving me as the senior most serving member. Traditionally I should have been appointed Chairperson without complications but Dr F Khonglam the then CM was unwilling to appoint me for reasons best known to him. Due to the delay in appointing a Chairperson, vague news floated around that the CM had his own candidate. Not relying on that, I ran from pillar to post to get authentic information on who would be notified as Chairperson. I tried to meet Dr Khonglam in person but to no avail. My chances of becoming Chairperson seemed bleak. However, I remember what late Mr PK Bhowmick my immediate boss as Commissioner of Transport said, “Nobody in the world can stop you from becoming Chairperson.
One winter morning I had a chance meeting with Mr RG Lyngdoh, then a senior cabinet minister. He stretched his hand for a lucky shake because apparently the CM had told him and a few senior ministers that I would be appointed Chairperson as I was the senior most member. On the last day of October 2002, I was summoned by the CM to his office. During the conversation he requested me to help two persons whose names he mentioned, to get through the MPSC interviews. One was a known applicant and the other was his niece Felicia Khonglam. Now, I had been in all my career a subordinate officer – a DTO an ACT a DCT and JCT in which I could rarely take any decisions independently, except as DTO in day to day work. So I respected his request and said I would be discussing the matter with the then Chairperson. Later it was interesting to note how the CM denied saying that he tried to promote his own candidate. He said that it was agreed among senior ministers that PK Lakiang would be appointed Chairperson. But we all know what happened and who was appointed Chairperson. It was a relative of his!
Later, when Khonglam was no longer CM, I would meet him nearly every morning while walking to Laitumkhrah market to get The Shillong Times. I would nod my head at him but later I thought I should stop that too. A week or so later I heard that he had passed away. God have mercy on him!
Yours etc.,
PK Lakiang ,
Former member MPSC,
Shillong-3
Religious conversion a bigger threat
Editor,
Apropos the article by Salil Gewali ‘Our evil motives desecrate our religions’ (ST Aug 11, 2020) I would like to congratulate the writer for exposing the agenda of some religious denominations. Though Mr Gewali has written the piece in the global perspective, I find the case very relevant to our tribal states of the northeast. Our simple-hearted forefathers were just cajoled into becoming Christians when the British entered India to fulfill their various motives. Some even learnt our native languages with the intention of converting us into their religion. Our ancestors were attracted by their fair skin and so they did not protest. Their English names also appealed to them which slowly become easier for us to lose our faith in our traditions and customs.
Since the people following the various tribal faiths were being rapidly converted to the foreign religion and they are now a big number, the mission itself has been posing a greater threat to the indigenous culture. But I wish to thank this local daily and a handful of conscious writers from the bottom of my heart for doing a great job by exposing those Christian proselytizers under various churches.
Imagine this – a converted fiancée will not marry her partner unless he first gets converted. Is it not the problem that calls for a case study? This is, I believe, the situation prevailing across the length and breadth of Meghalaya. Why are our District Councils leaders not taking any steps in preserving our indigenous faiths and our rich culture? What is this District Council for? Is it because our leaders themselves have already embraced a foreign religion? It would have no problem if these proselytizers funded from abroad were not claiming themselves as an exclusive path leading to God. But they never give up the fanatic exclusivity of their respective Churches which they claim will take Meghalayans to heaven.
Yours etc.,
Easter Sohtun
Via email
MeECL needs to rein in adverse forces
Editor,
As a common person, I feel that the action taken by the MeECL Authorities against the officer and Resident Engineer of Myntdu-Leshka Hydro Electric Project who failed to execute his duty is a step in the right direction. It will also go a long way in rescuing the MeECL from drowning. The agitated MeECL Engineers’ Association, the MeECL Accounts Association that protested against the Chairman cum Managing Director and the Management of the MeECL only lend credence to the old adage that the tree that bears fruit is always stoned. But may the tree bear better and sweeter fruits in times to come in the interest of the public at large.
Pray that our state’s only power sector which has been ailing for the past many decades grows healthier under her able leadership, tireless effort and wisdom.
Yours etc.,
N Thabah,
Via email