By Albert Thyrniang
It was a pleasant surprise to see “Wahkaji: Of shattered dreams and abandoned projects,” in the main column on April 9, penned by the editor of this daily. That the writer undertook a 135 Km ride from Shillong for over five hours on dirt road particularly the 57 Kms hazardous stretch from Mawkyrwat to Wahkaji that consumes three hours, deserves kudos. The first hand testimony of ‘months of no electricity, of the people coping with bad roads, of political neglect, of obstructive pressure groups who thoughtlessly blocked the construction of the two-laned Nongstoin-Wahkaji road, of them taking villagers for a ride, of rampant deforestation, of barren land and of youths having to migrate to Shillong for want of opportunities,’ merits compliments. I wish the media does more in being a mirror of the society and a voice for the voiceless.
The writer raises her hands up agreeing that newspapers pay little attention to rural Meghalaya. Wahkaji is a rare exception though its story is the same in most villages in the state. Recently hundreds marched in a maiden protest rally against lack of civic amenities and government apathy in the Indo-Bangladesh Border of East Jaintia Hills. Pictures of the worn out roads in Jaintia Hills also made their way into the print and social media courtesy the complaint by a Sumo drivers’ association. Unfortunately, the Wahkajis, the Hurois, the Lejris, the Hingarias and Lahaleiñs don’t figure regularly in newspapers. The focus is largely on the ‘Scotland of the East’.
The media is a mirror of the society (reality). The media reflects the reality. We know that a mirror does not lie. What is in reality is reflected in the mirror. Now, is the media reflecting reality of the society? Does the stuff we read and see in the media a reflection of the reality? Do the pages in newspapers and the electronic space replicate the actual reality? Do we see the whole of Meghalaya in various media outlets? Are media persons aware of this unique role? Are they trained and empowered to fulfil this unmatched duty? Are media owners and editors convinced of this irreplaceable responsibility?
Reporting facts is just one aspect of journalism. In-depth discussion and critical analysis are also vital facets of the profession. Perhaps this has not come of age in Meghalaya. It has been noticed that politicians get away with loose statements. When the Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong refused to take responsibility for the Rymbai tragedy last January begging it occurred‘far away from the main road,’ no one asked, “Why not?”Similarly when the Health Minister retorted that if ‘something happens in Shillong Civil hospital or in his department’ he is not responsible, the multi-time minister got away with it.
An unhealthy situation also prevails in that few are critical of pressure groups in Meghalaya. Their un-mandated role is seldom questioned. Their ‘holding people to ransom’ is hardly challenged. Their ‘larger than life’involvement has practically no dissent. Their negative roles to the point of stalling development are taken as heroism. Their emotional activism is not detected. Their double standard is not spotted. Reportedly the protest in Khliehriat was supported by the Khasi Students Union (KSU) but the same organisation spear-headed the movement to halt the two-laned Nongstoin-Wahkaji road. The FKGJP welcomed railway up to Mendipathar but opposes the same to Byrnihat. It is time intellectuals and thinkers begin to be critical of these groups. It is time the public stop romanticising the ‘seng bhalangs’. They are not always facilitators. They often operate at the level of emotion and even xenophobia. Wahkaji is a sad victim. We have a grim picture of backwardness there. The government and the protesting pressure groups are responsible.
In Garo Hills the groups who oppose participation of non-tribals in GHADC elections have made their voices heard through rallies and public meetings. But should they be permitted to declare a bandh on polling day? Should they disrupt the constitutional process? If they do their action is unconstitutional and constitutes a criminal offense. Should they not be hunted down? All law abiding citizen should come out in unison to condemn this unlawful and undemocratic behaviour. When don’t these pressure groups engage with GHADC/government at other times to alter the practice that has been in currency since 1952? Why create ruckus only during election?
The Deputy CM wishes us to believe that the MDA government’s priority for the last three years has been rural Meghalaya. Inaugurations of a few stretches of roads are not accomplishments. Which government is unable to do so? Tynsong’s eulogy is easily refuted. Wahkaji is one. Huroi, Lejri, Hingaria, Lahaleiñ are others. The vast peripheries of East Jaintia Hills, South West Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, East Garo Hills, North Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, even Khasi Hills and West Garo Hills are akin to Wahkaji. Then where is the priority for villages? Where is the priority when the NHAI sanctioned a two-laned road and you rejected the offer? My next ‘state visit’ will be to travel to interiors to take snaps of bad roads, dilapidated school buildings, health care centres and government offices and post them on social media to debunk the claim.
Politicians will exaggerate their statements to artificially amplify their achievements. It is for us citizens to be alert. When the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in April 2018 aired that all villages in India are electrified a lot of people believed him. My response was to post photographs and videos of villages on social media platforms that I visited that had/still have no electricity connection. If in my vicinity there are 4/5 villages without electricity then in the whole of India there will be thousands. If we add villages where there is no electricity for months during monsoon the number will be staggering. We in Umswai area, a cluster of more than ten villages in West Karbi Anglong are first hand sufferers of the ‘monsoon no show electricity’. The solar panels on rooftops or courtyards to light households and help children study stand evidence to the lengthy electricity failure. So the Prime Minister’s proclamation missed the truth by miles.
About a year ago I was shown a paper by a local politician claiming a network of roads that have been sanctioned and that work would commence soon. With no sign till date I Whatsapped to him pictures and videos of a long neglected road that is not traversable once monsoon sets in. If all those who listened and read the assertion of our Deputy CM post photos of kachha, worn out roads and roads with potholes in villages he would run for cover for sure. Politicians would think twice before making things up.
Those of us who have visited Kerala might have noticed one thing. All the roads are in excellent condition. There is no difference between cities/towns and villages. We also know that no non-performing public representative is re-elected. Politicians have to show their work or else they are out. For 40 years, the Southern state has never re-elected a ruling government. Pinarayi Vijayan’s LDF’s could be the first. No representative takes his constituents for granted. Even the best effort of the popular CM might fail. In Meghalaya we do not demand performance. We are lured by cash. What made Martin Danggo win for sixteen years consecutively without visiting villages? How did he repeatedly return as MLA when Wahkaji and many other villages in the constituency are in such pathetic condition?
The campaign for the elections to the Garo Hills District Autonomous Council (GHADC) was dominated by claims and counter claims (of development or lack of it) between the Chief Minster, Conrad Sangma and former Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma. But is GHADC entrusted with building roads, water supplies, hospitals, school and colleges?Are these not the mandate of the state government? Then why over-stress on infrastructural development in GHADC elections? Is not GHADC a legislative body with respect to land, forest, inheritance, customs and traditions? We should instead ask, what did the last Executive Committee and MDCs do or did not do during their tenure in relation to the above to be re-elected or rejected? Why is the plan to clean up the mess in the GHADC?
Recently former NEHU lecturer, Prof LS Gassah stated that many members of the ADCs are ignorant of the Sixth Schedule. Going by the rhetoric in the GHADC election battles it looks like the state’s top politicians are unaware of the Sixth Schedule. Aspirants think their functions are similar to that of MLAs and the Executive Committee is equal to the state cabinet – all catering to ‘development’. This is why ADCs are redundant and irrelevant!
‘Wahkaji’ is a compelling call for the media to honour its responsibility of being a mirror of the society, a voice for the voiceless and a tool to educate the masses. The rest of us can grow to be critical so as not to be fooled by utterances and actions that are coloured.