Editor,
The Meghalaya State Commission for Women on the June 23, 2023 organised a one-day seminar on ‘Socio – Economic Status of Single Mothers’. To my understanding, single mothers can be categorised into two groups. The first group are those who are divorced or widowed and this is a universal problem cutting across communities, religion and boundaries. But there are possibilities of financial arrangements and maintenance for them and you can get statistics on the number of widowed and divorced women because of the availability of records on deaths and divorce cases.
But in our matrilineal Meghalaya where compulsory registration of marriages is yet to be made mandatory, the other group of single mothers is more about abandoned mothers/ women. In this matrilineal society where many still give priority to the Kurs and the Knis rather than to the family and the father even in their day to day living, it makes it even more convenient for a man to walk out of an unregistered marriage without giving any maintenance for the wife and children who are left at the mercy and financial positions of these almost outdated institutions and authorities, especially in relation to this subject of abandoned women with children and the increasing number of orphanages.
The impact on these abandoned women with children especially in the case of families with many children as witnessed in the rural areas, coupled with poverty, is for all to see and read in the media which reports of them from time to time. These media reports about Meghalaya having the highest cases of teenage pregnancies, high child marriages and a high rate of trafficking which our young boys and girls are vulnerable to, is a cause for concern.
The Maitshaphrang had been instrumental in campaigning for the Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act 2012 but which is yet to be implemented, as one of the solutions to this problem. But despite the negative media reports of the problems arising from such abandoned marriages, this is still not a priority for many of those who are in power whether it’s in the political or religious institutions.
It is difficult to get statistics of abandoned mothers with children in our society because of unregistered marriages and our society’s acceptance of multi- fathered children in a family because they still belong to the same clan/kur as that of the mother’s. In such a situation the correct statistics of single and abandoned mothers will be much higher than the official figures as stated by the MSWC.
As one of the solutions to this rampant abandonment of women with children in our society, the Maitshaphrang had petitioned the government to make the Registration of Marriage certificate mandatory for all official purposes as stated in the principal Act of 2012 and define Official Purposes as those purposes as required for producing the Scheduled Tribe certificate.
In conclusion, this is basically a women’s problem and it is for the women of our state to take the lead to solve them if they are really concerned about the problems faced by their fellow women and not confining this concern to a ‘one day talk shop’ because if this problem is not dealt with from the initial stage we’re afraid that this vicious cycle of exploitation will carry forward from mothers to their children and their grandchildren after that.
Yours etc.,
Michael N. Syiem,
Via email
Peace in Manipur
Editor,
The situation in Manipur is very unfortunate. As per my understanding and based on the information available so far, the violence was sparked on May 3, 2023 when Kukis attacked Meitei villages and in retaliation, Meitei attacked Kuki Villages. This attack on each other is prevailing till date resulting in immense suffering for both the communities, where the common man, the poor, the innocents, the elderly and children suffer at large.
This unfortunate and unwarranted incident of unrest and a violent eruption of ethnic crisis has turned the State into a conflict zone, marking the ugly history of Manipur. This unrest was unexpected and inhumane, and one hopes that the worst does not happen. In the present context what we need is PEACE and Peace is possible only when we stop the violence from both communities by starting dialogues and create platforms for that.
As of now, the Government has initiated a judicial inquiry into the violence and there are FIRs filed against those people who made seditious statements. Hope that the government will take adequate steps to provide and deliver justice to those who have suffered. On the other hand, at present the European Union debate converts conflict into a religious one when what is happening is not a religious conflict. This conflict is not between the Hindu-Meitei and Kuki-Christians nor is it between tribals and non-tribals. It is between those who are in support of and against illegal immigrants, poppy plantation, and cultivation and are therefore asking for separate administration. It is between those who are in favour of Manipur’s disintegration. Whatever the demands, violence is not the solution. A peaceful democratic process must start without further delay. But I personally feel that the integrity of Manipur must not be broken at any cost because Manipur is not only for Meiteis nor for any single community but it is for all communities who have been living together for centuries.
For the problems of immigrants’ influx into Manipur the State and the Central government must take immediate steps to control with firm mechanisms. The Union Govt. and the State Govt. and other competent authorities, armed forces of both centre and state must deal with this issue without any bias and must take strong action against those law breakers at the earliest to provide justice to the people immediately.
The situation in Manipur has turned horrific and every individual must stop playing the blame game and victim roles in various social networks circulated by several individuals/groups against each other, as this would only bring sadness and violence and is not good for anyone. We all must look forward to bringing Peace, Love & Harmony instead of this gun and violence and separation culture. Further, we must overcome our emotions and let truth and justice prevail.
It is the need of the hour to help the victims of both the communities in and outside the state of Manipur who have been severely affected by this unfortunate incident. Let us stop these inhumane acts of violence; we must give a chance for PEACE.
Yours etc.,
Chongtham Thangamba Meetei)
President, Shillong Manipuri Students’ Union (SMSU),
Shillong
Food safety
Editor,
This refers to the recent controversy over formalin laden fish being imported from southern states like Andhra Pradesh. Food adulteration and addition of harmful preservatives and pesticides has taken epidemic proportions in modern times. In fact, food borne diseases due to adulteration is going to be the number one killer in the near future, if some urgent remedial steps are not taken by the government. One out of two people is suffering from some chronic ailments like diabetes, blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, psychosomatic disorders etc. Chances of getting Cancer is almost 50% in the overall population. Along with spiralling cost of healthcare, modern medicare is able to do nothing except providing symptomatic relief. All modern illnesses have their roots in heavy pesticide laden and denatured food, grown with artificial fertilizers along with sedentary lifestyle. Meat, fish, fruits and vegetables, etc. are all laden with carcinogenic additives and preservatives. If the present situation is not controlled then premature deaths will be a norm in society. One has to remember the Hippocratic dictum ‘Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food’ to thrive in this world.
Yours etc.,
Sadiq Hussain Laskar,
Guwahati