Editor,
The article “Value Education as propounded by Radhon Sing Berry Kharwanlang” by Bijoya Sawian that appeared in the Shillong Times on May 16, 2023 is a timely reminder of the values and etiquette that are cherished by the Khasi tribe. The article is about the book Ki Jingsneng Tymmen, which is written in poetic form. Much of this book, seemingly for children and youth, contains enduring wisdom and counsel.
But some of it is woefully out of date and cringingly out of sync with social norms that are now universally accepted. Two examples of archaic mindsets that appear prominently in the book is the attitude to women and to persons with disability. Such prejudices militate against an equitable and inclusive society.
Listen to this verse that is harsh and cruel to persons with disabilities, “When you are pregnant, it is a law, not to look at those who have a flaw, or the unborn child will surely be affected. The personality of the person will, on the baby, be reflected” (Verse 31 Part II). According to the book, handicapped persons must be excluded from religious rites and government.
Several passages are severely misogynistic. Verse 8 of Part II says, “Listen children, let me now relate, who to avoid, for one’s welfare, one’s advantage…A woman who does not have a feminine mien…Widows who no children have borne…Those unfortunate ones who are childless and barren, they’re also unfitting e’en if they’re virgins.” This particular passage condemns certain women to discrimination and victimization. How is it their fault if they don’t look womanly or cannot bear children? The closing lines of this passage states a further unjust punishment, that such women “must never be present in religious matters and administration”.
Verse 42 says, “Don’t give a woman too much freedom…Her womanly grace will degenerate…She won’t realise what is wrong, what is right…Don’t give her too much liberty, for she may lose her dignity.” How come such admonitions are not applied to men. Such thoughts are unacceptable and must not be passed on to children. By the way, certain kinds of men are also condemned, including men without moustaches!
Such prohibitions are hard to accept, and are often passed on to the next generation. Surely, we must engage with and change some of the traditional mindsets for the good of our society.
Yours etc.,
KL Lyngdoh,
Via email
Salt of the Earth
Editor,
Indian Railways are the “Lifeline of the Nation.” It is fair to say that River Umiam and its Dam are the “Life of Meghalaya.” Dams play an extremely important role in flood control, power/water supply. Dams generally were built to store and provide water for mechanical power generation (e.g., waterwheels, industrial cooling, hydroelectric power generation, agricultural irrigation, municipal water supplies and impoundment-based recreation like boating and fishing). However, they also pose significant threats to the downstream areas and damages include the replacement costs of residential, commercial, and industrial property as well as infrastructure such as road, bridges, and utility lines. They also pose a huge threat to the economy. Despite the increasing safety of dams resulting from the improved engineering knowledge and better construction quality, a full non-risk guarantee is not possible, and accidents may occur owing to natural hazard or human actions. Even younger or modern dams can lead to disaster. Recovery costs will be huge, considering the impact on housing, infrastructure, utilities, health, environment, and cultural heritage. Lessons should be learned from previous dam failures and their aftermath.
Ageing dams have various structural and hydrological deficiencies; their strengths do not remain the same or strong enough, especially, when an earthquake of high magnitude occurs. Loss of lives cannot be compensated. It is also not right to make a blanket statement saying all dams have outlived their purpose. Assessments should be made by reviewing dams that have reached 50-60 years of age. Therefore, the Dam Safety Act 2021 is a welcome step in this direction. It is also fair to say that “soil and water are the life of the earth,” and we humans are, “the salt of the earth.”
Yours etc.,
D Pakyntein,
Shillong-4
Of prejudiced views
Editor,
I have for long been a reader of The Shillong Times and my interest has been the letters published there because they reflect the diverse views of a cross section of the Shillong populace. One person who expresses his views regularly is Salil Gewali. For a while now I have noticed his rightist leanings but this came to the fore when he penned the letter praising the film The Kerala Story directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah. He even warned people that they might get wooed by some Muslims in what is called the “Love Jihad.” The bluff of the director and producer has been called out by people who asked them where they got the data from on the number of young girls lured into the love jihad trap. The director and producer gave wishy washy answers. In the film they claim that over 3000 girls have fallen into the trap of Muslim men who forcibly marry them to pollute the Hindu bloodline. Those who know say that there are just about three girls who might have been lured into the love jihad angle. The director and producer and now mum and refuse to answer queries. This film tries to mimic the Vivek Agnihotri blockbuster “The Kashmir Files” but did not succeed because everyone has seen through the ruse.
On May 17, Gewali wrote another letter whose caption “Congress victory should ensure a better tomorrow.” At first glance one thought that Gewali was actually lauding the Congress for their resounding victory in Karnataka. But that was not to be. I am not sure what sources Gewali used but he says that after the Congress won the elections there were shouts of Pakistan Zindabad. How does Gewali know that these shouts were not orchestrated by rivals of the Congress who found the bitter pill of losing the Karnataka polls too hard to swallow.
One does not expect such prejudiced views which are steeped in right wing ideology from someone who claims to be an intellectual and whose book is ostensibly prescribed in some foreign university and who above all identifies himself as a member of an International Human Rights Organisation. How does anyone who claims to be a human rights activist be so ideologically wedded to the BJP ideology? I needed to call out this hypocrisy hence this letter.
Yours etc.,
Eugenia Kharkongor,
Via email