Editor,
The condition of the road in Umpling from Dong Surok on the way to Rynjah is in a pathetic condition. There have been many accidents involving two Wheelers and some with serious injuries, it may be mentioned that during the pandemic serious injuries requiring Hospitalization is highly avoidable. The authorities and the local legislator should take step to immediately repair the roads. People in Umpling dread the thought of travelling in this particular road. The people of Umpling deserves the better road than what the current condition is.
Yours faithfully
Albert Andrew Nongrum & Felix Rani
Two lovers – two faiths
Editor,
Marbianglang Rymbai while expressing deep concern on religious conversion which had led to the population of the indigenous faith dwindling, has also brought to light the prohibition of inter-denominational marriage between members of two Christian denominations. While writing this piece, I take the liberty of a Fundamental Human Right to assess my own religious belief.
Christian marriage was not invented by the Church. Holy matrimony is a sacrament given to the world by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Marriage is a contract between two people. A man and woman accept each other as man and wife until one or other dies. It is beyond my comprehension as to why the various Churches have adopted a narrow-minded approach in discouraging mixed marriages or inter-denominational marriages. A wife and husband can belong to different political parties. They don’t necessarily like the same television programme. They disagree on certain issues and remain absolutely happy and united. They don’t interfere with each other’s religious beliefs. So why should religion make a difference to them?
The Catholic Church says that if you are not a Catholic you probably won’t be happy if you marry a Catholic. So is the case with the Protestant Church. There are all sorts of reasons to justify why mixed marriages will go wrong and fail. A non-Catholic clergyman of London in his article said, “Every marriage involves risk. In a mixed marriage, there are particular snags that must be frankly faced. The difficulty arises whether or not the couples are devout in the practice of their religion. Those who have been reared in a certain religious faith cannot shake off its influence by discarding the intellectual belief.” Period!
Marriage is built on the foundation of love and the foundation of love is trust. We live in a society that emphasizes individual rights, personal freedom, and mobility. Mutual respect is the key principle of a solid marital foundation. With regards to the marital conversion of the followers of the indigenous faith, the point is the identity of the jaidbynriew hynniewtrep depends on the survival of the indigenous faith groups – Niam Tynrai and Niamtre. Any attempt to assimilate them into Christian, Hindu or Islam fold must be stopped. If need be, the State must enact Anti-Conversion Law to protect and safeguard the ethnicity and identity of the Hynniewtrep.
Yours etc.,
Rosa Mary Shadap
Shillong-14
Voters need a change of heart
Editor,
The news report on Kongthong – a village in distant East Khasi Hills, in your Friday issue made interesting reading. It exposes the indifference of those in Government and politics to the sufferings of the rural population of Meghalaya. I come from one of the villages in that area and I know for a fact that travelling is extremely difficult and dangerous for pregnant women who need to be taken to the Sohra CHC or to Shillong. Many women have delivered a child inside the ambulance and suffer in agony until they reach the nearest health centre. When will the government give us motorable roads at least. When will we be connected to the markets where we can take our agricultural and horticultural products? For how long have we to live like step-children of every government that comes to power? Before elections, the candidates promise roads, water supply and electricity. Very few speak of providing schools and health care. No wonder the results of the SSLC every year from Meghalaya’s rural areas are dismal.
After the schools were closed since March this year, the children in villages have stopped looking at their books. Since most villages are poorly connected it is pointless to speak of online learning. In any case most parents cannot afford to buy mobile phones. They hardly earn enough to provide food for the family. It is high time that the Education Department thinks of using the teachers within the villages to teach the children something at least so that they do not lose touch with their books completely.
I also blame myself and my people for not pushing our own cause. In the villages we are divided by politics. Politicians divide us and we fall for those tricks. Also many of us take money for voting for a particular candidate. I request all the Rangbah Shnong/Sordar Shnong to be very strict from the next election onwards and to make sure that every candidate is given a list of the demands from the village and that no money is used during elections. This is the only way to bring any change, otherwise we will never get good roads or schools/colleges and hospitals which we most need.
Yours etc.,
R Khongjee,
Via email