Editor,
Aren’t we the trai shnong (indigenous residents) of Meghalaya, tired of writing endless exams to qualify for a government job? Mostly because clearing the exams and qualifying for the interviews has become a formality one has to adhere to? The limited seats are reserved for those who can shell out bribes or for those with influential connections. Those who can afford to pay have a chance at a secure job. What about those who can’t afford the money or those not willing to sell themselves to the influencer? Are these people making a backside entry not robbing those who actually work hard and sacrifice their time to excel in their academics for the promise of a good future?
Such revelations came to light when the CBI probed the 2020 education scam in the state. A handful of MLAs accepted that they did recommend names but refused to accept that these recommendations were wrong. What makes these MLA’s think they can rightly add grace points to these special candidates? On what basis were these recommendations made? Does recommending candidates come under the purview of the job description of an MLA? Were the members of the selection committee of such recruitments not competent enough to conclude their own unbiased results? If so, should they not be fired from their posts, all benefits withdrawn and slapped with fines? Why were we not taught about such corrupt behaviours in school? There are always those rare exceptions. No wonder various departments (MeECL for eg.) of the State Govt. under-perform.
Aren’t we tired of being bound by laws which apply to everyone else but the higher ups in society? We are fined when we fail to follow the Covid protocols (wearing masks during the pandemic), which is understandable but when the Chief Minister is shown posing for pictures without following protocols would the magistrate dare impose a fine on CM, like she has been doing so on everyone else?
Aren’t we tired of hearing about illegal coal mining in Meghalaya? It’s impossible for these rat hole mine owners to exploit the environment and people without the Government’s blessings. It is more humiliating when the Government blatantly denies about such ongoing activities. Where do the police stand on the matter? Unfortunately, within the framework of the Indian system, the Heads of Police are answerable the Government.
Aren’t we tired of pressure groups rallying the people only for issues that fit their own political agenda? Lately none of them have come out in opposition of the coal mining issue. I’m sure with their numbers; conducting checks on the illegal transportation of coal from within the State is a doable task. Are they scared of the nexus behind the mining and transport of illegal coal? We rarely hear them advocating for better health, better education or better services from the Government, something we could all benefit from.
Aren’t we tired of hearing complaints from the residents of Nongmynsong about the illegal sale of alcohol and the problems that accompany it? Isn’t the local MLA of that constituency aware of his people’s problems? Are the police in charge of the area blind to the illegal sale of alcohol? Everyone is aware that you alcohol is available in the black market from the stretch where the MeECL’s transformer is located right up to the junction that leads to Nongmynsong after the wine stores are closed, till late into the night.
People need livelihoods but should this come at the costs of others’ lives? Can’t the concerned authorities provide alternative livelihoods for those involved in all such activities? And if the authorities are aware of such illegal activities, why are they not acting? Are they also benefiting from such activities? I pose these questions to the current MLA of Pynthorumkhrah, who has been in the seat since 1998, not as an attack, but because he is the leader and as such is responsible for the plight of his people.
Rivers and the land are polluted, but why bother when money lines up your pockets? Coal mines could benefit the entire state if executed scientifically. It could generate substantial taxes and employ a big chunk of the population. Alas! the work force is subjected to extreme working conditions. And since it is illegal, the state is losing taxes. Coal extracted in an unscientific way is lethal for the environment and for people who draw sustenance form the land and the rivers. Even coke factories are allowed to go about their business as freely as their money allows. With all this in the background we see the Minister in-charge Forests and Environment Department, Govt. of Meghalaya, smirk on the front page of this daily, extending his (sarcastic?) greetings to the people of the state on World Environment Day. All this while the Govt could so easily renew its pledge to protect the environment. Bro code!!
We are in the age of capitalism but this should not come at the expense of the environment and or the people. Mother Nature is called as such because it provides us our basic needs. It is especially sad since we belong to a tribe that once worshiped Nature. Our ancestors so wisely made sacred forests and their efforts gave us these magnificent hills. Now we rape it without a second thought. My older generation has witnessed Wah Umkhrah and other rivers where they once fished from and swam in turn to filthy drains. Should we not do more? Or do we wait till the fog that so majestically blankets these hills we call home, turn to smog?
Just as our inaction before the second Covid wave took loved ones away from many, why wait till people start to lose precious lives due to pollution or heat waves? Why wait till forest fires burn through? We have already lost the once magnificent rains that blessed these hills, why wait till we lose before we act? Let’s not forget that we are one with nature. Where will we go if we burn our own home? Elon Musk might say, “To Mars”. Will we all be able to afford such a trip? Mars is still a dream.
I am ashamed of the adult members of my tribe. Not all but those who have taken the easy way out and continue to do so and not only corrupt themselves but corrupt future generations as well. Have you no shame? Have you no empathy? Most continue to blame the outsider for the plight of the people. It is you who have sold them our lands and our people. I urge the younger generation to learn from people of different cultures and languages instead of harbouring hate. They have much to teach us if we are open-minded. We should be thankful also to those (so called outsiders) who have contributed much to our people and still do despite being treated as 2nd class citizens of the state.
I write not to judge or ridicule, for I also am human like everyone else and with that come countless flaws. As humans though, being blessed with so many virtues that make us quite different from all other life forms, should we not yearn to leave this world a better place than how we found it?
As the common citizens it is our fault too. We are the ones who empower those who have looted us. Do we continue as we have and let the few dig our graves for us or do we stand our ground and say enough is enough? I wonder though, how we as the people vested with power can actually do something that makes a difference. Can we?
Yours etc.,
B.A. Jana
Via email