Editor,
First and foremost, let me confess that while I may not be an expert on culture nor linguistics, I take immense pride in speaking my mother tongue. It connects me to my roots and identity. I am fortunate to be fluent in four languages – War (War-Jaintia) which is my mother tongue, Khasi, from my father’s side in Shillong and Pnar, which I learned while growing up in Jowai before settling in Shillong and English, taught in school, has been a tremendous blessing, aiding communication with people from diverse backgrounds.
However, I am concerned about the dominance of English over our mother tongues and the potential threat it poses to our true identity. I have observed that many young individuals from the current generation (especially Generation-Alpha) communicate fluently in English but appear unfamiliar with their mother tongue. I do not have the data and I am not yet a parent, so I can’t say for sure whether this is due to early exposure in pre-school or the content they watch on screens. Through observation, I have witnessed some of my young nieces, nephews and other young individuals at family parties primarily conversing only in English. While I am impressed with their English fluency, it also made me think that, what if we are the last generation of Khasi people, especially those living in urban areas, who can speak our mother tongue fluently?
Fortunately, some of my friends and colleagues have shared that they make a conscious effort to encourage their children to speak their mother tongue at home and that is a positive step. I believe many other parents are doing the same, as preserving our mother tongue is crucial. If our language dies, our culture may suffer the same fate. Therefore, we must emphasize the significance of our mother tongues within families, schools and communities. Encouraging young individuals to speak their native language not only fosters a strong cultural identity but also improves their cognitive and linguistic abilities. Parents, educators and society as a whole should support language programs and resources that promote the learning and preservation of our mother tongues. Right from pre-schools, we can integrate local languages into the curriculum to ensure they are given the same importance as English. This will help young individuals understand and appreciate their cultural heritage while becoming proficient in both their mother tongue and English.
Media and technology can play a vital role in preserving languages. Content creators should be supported and encouraged to produce contents in local languages, allowing children to consume educational and entertaining content in their native tongue. This will help in keeping the language alive and relevant in the digital age.
Let this brief article be a friendly reminder that we must recognize the value of our mother tongues and work collectively to preserve them. Embracing and promoting our native languages will not only safeguard our cultural identity but also enrich our lives. Let us cherish the gift of language and pass it on to future generations as a treasure of our heritage.
Yours etc.,
By Zaman E. Tongper
Faculty, Department of Tourism and Travel Management
Martin Luther Christian University
Via email
Traffic situation alarming: Citizens’ cooperation needed
Editor,
I wish to draw attention to the increasingly alarming traffic situation in Shillong city. As residents, we witness the worsening congestion and its adverse impacts on our daily lives, and it is high time we collectively address this pressing issue. The picturesque beauty of Shillong is unparalleled, but it pains me to see how our city’s traffic woes have escalated over the years. The growing population, rapid urbanization, and increasing number of vehicles have put immense strain on the existing road infrastructure, resulting in never-ending traffic snarls, especially during peak hours.
The consequences of this traffic chaos are far-reaching. It not only causes inconvenience to commuters but also leads to productivity losses, increased air pollution, and road safety hazards. Urgent measures are needed to tackle this problem and preserve the essence of our city’s charm.
I wish to put forth some suggestions here. First, it is necessary to press into service public transport facilities and encourage their use by making them more reliable, accessible, and affordable. This will reduce the number of private vehicles on the road and alleviate congestion.
Second is traffic management. Police have to implement effective traffic management strategies, including the installation of well-synchronized traffic signals and roundabouts at crucial intersections. Proper signage and lane discipline must be enforced to maintain order on the roads.
Third is the habit of car- pooling and ride-sharing which citizens should be encouraged to make a habit of. This will reduce the overall number of vehicles on the road and help in conserving fuel.
Fourth is to plan for sustainable growth. Meghalaya has to develop a comprehensive urban planning strategy that considers the potential impact of future development projects on traffic flow and ensuring that new constructions are in line with sustainable transport goals.
Fifth is community awareness and participation. Local governments such as the Dorbar Shnong should involve the local community in discussions and awareness campaigns to promote responsible driving habits and encourage public cooperation in alleviating traffic woes.
We, the citizens of Shillong, must join hands with the authorities to find long-term and sustainable solutions to our city’s traffic woes. It is crucial that we act promptly to preserve the essence of our city while creating a seamless and efficient transportation system that benefits everyone.
I appeal to the concerned authorities to prioritize the issue of traffic management and take proactive steps to implement the suggested measures. Together, we can make Shillong a model city with smooth traffic flow and a greener environment.
Yours etc.,
Manisha M Pala,
Via email
Arrogance of power everywhere
Editor,
What is alarming in the present scenario is that we are becoming less tolerant and more arrogant. Crimes and violence, atrocities, corruption, hatred, nepotism, favouritism, hunger and lust for power stare us in the face. The roads and streets are classic examples of intolerance. Be it the busy school, college and office hours or any time of the day, traffic jams are a part of our lives. One driver tries to outdo the other, to the point of accidents – sometimes minor at other times major ones. In these same streets while common people are made to sit and wait inside their vehicles, a government vehicle will use it’s siren and the helpless policemen will have no choice but to make way for it.
At times, an ambulance would have to wait to allow those in government vehicles to pass through. What is this if not the arrogance of power?
If we turn towards crime, children and women are the worst hit and the most vulnerable. Nowadays, perpetrators of rapes are usually men known to the victims. The lack of conviction and punishment, if at all, does not match the crime. Hence it does not deter others from committing the same crime. This arrogance and show of power and control and of trampling the weak is frightening.
Corruption has sown its seed so deep that its presence is felt across every sphere of society. Merit takes a back seat because what counts is how much money one can offer those in power. .
What we see is what we learn. Hence our children learn from what they see and hear their elders discussing. Right now we are not setting any good examples before them. Isn’t this worrisome? Shouldn’t we at home, at school, at work, in the government do something?
Yours etc.,
Jenniefer Dkhar,
Via email