Reibute to a legend
Editor,
I read yesterday that one of our most talented artists, Prithpal Singh Sehdave affectionately known as Ladi, had sadly passed away. I first met him in 2016 while co-curating the tenth (and sadly) final edition of CEC – the Carnival of E-Creativity. He came in late, all a huff-and-a-puff. We talked for hours in Shankar Barua’s room. He and Shankar – the founder of CEC – were old friends and both children of Shillong, though as both lamented, most in Shillong cared nothing for them. I felt a deep resentment and pain from them both. I could only imagine what they had encountered.
Last year, while on my campaign trail, I once again met Prithpal. It would, it turned out, be the last time. It was Diwali and he had someone over putting up his lights. After this was done we sat in his office and I talked to him about what we could do together as a community for the locality and constituency. He loved the idea I proposed of having regular workshops and trying to engage communities using art and culture. He offered me tea and I made it a point to sit with him longer than I had done before. Once again that sadness at being treated like an outsider resurfaced. I promised him that I would come back so that we could think upon the workshops together. It turned out to be an unfulfilled promise.
We must remember Prithpal Singh Sehdave Ladi. And I urge you all to go and read up more about him and to view his work online. We must remember him because he was the first artist from Shillong to achieve wide success. More so because he was a talent and a moment in Indian Sculpture. And more important than any of the above because he was one of our sons. Shillong, you must acknowledge your children! Be they dark or fair, high or low, tribal or non-tribal. This is my small attempt to remind you. RIP, dearest Pritpal.
Yours etc.,
Avner Pariat,
Via email
Shillong a violent city
Editor,
Off late, considering the violent activities in the city, Shillong has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Violent activities here refer to the deliberate and random verbal abuse and physical assault of the non-tribals at the hands of tribals without any apparent reasons. These violent acts have been in vogue for many decades and have risen sharply in the last few years. In these modern times, where education is permeating all sections of the society, violence is naturally supposed to reduce (with increase in tolerance) with the passage of time. However, especially in Shillong this has been proven wrong. In fact, Shillong has become a very violent city with hardly a day passing by where physical assaults are not reported or observed. What is driving this hate? Why are the non-tribals looked down upon and called outsiders? Why are they always the target in spite of unfavourable state laws imposed on them?
The non-tribals hardly have any demands and without expectations are working hard even with all the limitations and paying taxes including income tax. All they want is to live in peace and respect. The violence and hate-mongers are now so emboldened that they have no fear of the law or of law enforcers and can even assault them. Why don’t these goons use their muscle power and intimidation ability at the international borders to keep India safe? The state government has not displayed any practical maturity in reducing the atmosphere of violence and hate, perhaps fearful of the various pressure groups. It does not matter to them as the non-tribals altogether are not a very crucial vote bank. The state police have also been unable to check the occurrence and spread of violence and arrest the guilty. There is practically no patrolling in the city whether by day or night. The bulk of the force are engaged in protecting the VIPs with hardly any man power remaining for the public.
Also, police professionalism is at the lowest and whatever exists, if any, is best utilized for saluting each other and the VIPs. Religious bodies and civil societies in the city have also been unable to reach out to the victims of violence. They should have used their influence to check on the perpetrators of violence. People at large in the city are also silent and do not feel encouraged to raise their voices against the violence and phobia and are comfortable by simply listening and watching. Taken together, the law and order condition in the city is dismal and the non-tribals are left to fend for themselves. But the question remains as to how long such violence and hate will be perpetuated?
Yours etc.,
Dr HS Ranhotra,
Shillong
Kudos to Meghalaya High Court
Editor,
I wish to thank and congratulate the Meghalaya High Court for its proactiveness by taking up people’s burning issues like water problems in Shillong and in the state as a whole, the dilapidated roads in the state, the daily acute power problems, the prolonged environmental issues of illegal coal mining, illegal transportation of coal and illegal coke factories in Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills and elsewhere in the state. Moreover, the Hon’ble High Court has issued orders in respect of the above to the Meghalaya Government to act accordingly but the State Government has in the past got away with other orders of the Court and I am afraid that these orders will face the same fate where they are not implemented on various excuses. I appeal to the Hon’ble High Court to be ready to draw contempt proceedings against the State Government if found wanting in this regard.
Yours etc.,
Philip Marweiñ,
Sr. Journalist,
Shillong.