Editor,
It is a well-known fact that Mawkhar Christian High School– MCHS (also called Mission Shynrang) is among the oldest and most renowned schools of Shillong. The students of this school come from different backgrounds of society – their parents holding different jobs & positions in the government (e.g blue collar jobs & white collar jobs in govt offices) and in society/business, etc, (e.g business entrepreneurs, teachers, church elders, members of legislative assembly, etc). The school has always taken extra care to ensure that children of those neighbouring localities (Dong) e.g Umsohsun, Paltan Bazar, Wahthapbru, Mission compound, should get a chance to study here.
This school has produced many brilliant students who secured top positions in the HSLC examinations. It’s alumni includes engineers, doctors, professors, authors and other well known members of the society. The school has also represented the State of Meghalaya in the Subroto Cup football tournament.
While looking back at the past, we cannot but remember those eminent teachers/headmasters, the likes of Babu Wilson Reade (ex-Chairman UK&JHDC and ex-CEM KHADC), Babu Carlton Reade, Babu Erning Kharmawphlang and so on, whose works and contributions in the field of education has earned them an unprecedented respect and recognition from the government as well as from the society.
As I recall, during my years as a student of MCHS (Class-IV in 1974 to Class-X in 1980),the school was run by the Headmaster along with the teachers, under the administrative supervision of the Managing Committee which reported to the owner of the school i.e The KJP Synod. I had a strong belief then, that the Headmaster, the teachers, the Managing Committee and the owner of the school, were equipped with the conviction that the school was an educational institution and not otherwise. Due to my employment commitment, I have been living away from my home state for the past many years, yet I am not able to erase the fond memories I have of my school.
During my recent short visit to Shillong, I happened to pass by my alma mater but what I had envisioned about my school was totally different from the vision in front of me. I was shocked to see that a shop and an office space have ‘invaded’ the classrooms of our MCHS school building. The sight was so offensive that I seemed to have had a nightmare! A portion of the frontage has become a commercial space ! Contrary to this, I recall when we were in Class–VIII, we used to grumble and feel distraught over the proximity of the Synod market complex to our school. But now the story is different -the market has entered the school!
I would like to know if any of the other old schools in Shillong are doing away with some class rooms and renting out space for commercial purposes. Even if they are, that should not be taken as a guideline for the Managing Committee or the owner of MCH School to follow and defeat the purpose of the school.
There is a saying – A School building, besides being a structure, is made from memories, successes, failures, part of everyone’s childhood. A school is a building which has four walls with yesterday and tomorrow inside. And above all I remember our school motto :“Mut ia kaba bha, Kren ia kaba shisha, Leh ia kaba dei. ”
Yours etc.,
Allan Lyndem,
Via email
Durga Puja in Kolkata
Editor
The Durga Puja in Kolkata and across West Bengal is a national socio-religious event that has been celebrated with pomp and grandeur for the past several centuries. This national event over the years have manifested into an international event drawing both national and international tourists to the City of Joy in massive numbers. It is not only a national celebration of the Bengali communities; but, an event of socio-cultural unity, diversity and integrity of India that attracts people in large unimaginably massive numbers to join this celebration. Recently UNESCO has granted World Heritage tag to the Durga Puja celebration adding to a monumental international feather to the cap of the city of Kolkata; as well as for the state of West Bengal and India as a nation. This is the first World Heritage tag bestowed to the continent of Asia on a city for a sociology-religious event with international heritage, making Durga Puja an international festival like the grand Carnivals of Central and South America and the Caribbean Islands.
However, amidst this grand celebration we tend to forget the plight of our sick, injured, physically or mentally challenged individuals, young children and senior citizens who are unable to participate in this due to several socio-cultural, medical and logistics limitations. But two brothers, Kshitij Shah and Shahil Shah have designed a wonderful website for everyone to be able to see the picturesque Durga Pujo of Kolkata (West Bengal, India) at https://durgadarshan.org/
One can not only navigate across all the major and minor pandals across the City of Joy through this user-friendly site but can also enjoy the 360º view of Puja Pandals across Kolkata from the comfort of your home. For those who could not do pandal hopping during the festive days or those who are located outside Kolkata or West Bengal or India can now watch and enjoy the pomp and grandeur of this international festival from their desktops, laptops, palmtops, tablets and smartphones connected to an internet. The online and offline modes of enjoying the Durga Puja this year crowned with the UNESCO tag is a monumental achievement for us all to celebrate this year ! I sincerely believe that this Puja has brought to all the joys of success and diminished the sadness, sorrow and darkness of our life replacing them with peace, unity, integrity and prosperity for all.
Yours etc.,
Saikat Kumar Basu
Kolkata – 45