Editor,
In the chaos of our world, where lines between right and wrong blur, it is important to look back on a photograph called, “The boy standing by crematory” taken by Joe O’donnel in Nagasaki after the atomic bombings.
Joe O’donnel wrote… “I saw a boy about ten years old walking by. He was carrying a baby on his back. In those days in Japan, we often saw children playing with their little brothers or sisters on their backs, but this boy was clearly different. I could see that he had come to this place for a serious reason. He was wearing no shoes. His face was hard. The little head was tipped back as if the baby were fast asleep. The boy stood there for five or ten minutes. The man in white masks walked over to him and quietly began to take off the rope that was holding the baby. That is when I saw that the baby was already dead. The man held the body by the hands and feet and placed it on the fire. The boy stood there straight without moving, watching the flames. He was biting his lower lip so hard that it shone with blood. The flame burned low like the sun going down. The boy turned round and walked silently away”
As the Gaza conflict unfolds, humanity finds itself at a crossroads, torn between opinions and ideologies. When the world is busy debating who is right and who is wrong, we seem to overlook United Nations reports. Death toll reached 34,735 out of which 4,959 were women and 7,797 were children. The war will also lead to starvation, trauma, displacement and orphanhood.
How can we justify such atrocities? How can we pick sides when people are suffering? The essence of our humanity is compromised when we turn a blind eye to the suffering of others, when we prioritise politics over people and ideologies over lives.
In the end, it was the innocent lives that suffered. Death did not care who was right and who was wrong. It never discriminated and never will. The sound of prayers buried under the lamenting smoke as war worships death.
Your etc.,
Joseph Lalchhuanawma Rokhum,
Shillong- 21
Iran’s predicament
Editor,
Apropos of the editorial “Iran after Shah” (ST May 22nd 2024), Iran operates as an Islamic theocracy; a system where religious leaders hold significant power. Since the 1979 Iranian Islamic Revolution, the politicised Shi’i clergy has consolidated its control over levers of power. This allows for a limited degree of political pluralism, including presidential and parliamentary elections every four years. However, the clerical regime still faces weaknesses, particularly in addressing the economic and social problems that led to the revolution. The Supreme Leader, who exerts ideological and political control, remains the strongest power centre in Iran, while the President handles day-to-day governance.
Theocracy plays a significant role in Iran’s political structure. Iran’s theocracy grapples with several significant challenges. There are economic struggles, social unrest, youth discontentment, political factionalism, regional tensions, international isolation and environmental challenges. As far as the economy is concerned Iran faces economic hardships due to sanctions, mismanagement and corruption. These issues impact citizens’ livelihoods and create discontent. Dissatisfaction with social restrictions, lack of personal freedoms, and human rights violations lead to protest and unrest. A young population seeks more opportunities, better education and a less restrictive environment.
Theocracy struggles to address their aspirations. Different factions within the theocratic establishment compete for influence, leading to internal divisions and policy inconsistencies. Iran’s involvement in regional conflicts (e.g., Syria, Yemen) strains relations with other countries and affects stability. Sanctions and ideological differences isolate Iran from the global community, hindering economic growth and diplomatic ties. Environmentally water scarcity, pollution and climate change impact Iran’s stability and exacerbate existing problems. Navigating these challenges while maintaining religious authority is a delicate balancing act for Iran’s theocracy.
Lately the people celebrating Ebrahim Raisi’s death with fireworks, memes and jokes are likely satirical in nature. Raisi is a prominent figure in Iran’s political landscape. He has held various positions, including serving as the Chief Justice of Iran and, more recently, being elected as the President of Iran in 2021. His tenure has been marked by controversy, particularly regarding human rights issues and political repression. Some of the reasons why people reacted in such a manner is because Raisi’s policies and actions have faced criticism from various groups including those advocating for greater civil liberties and democratic reforms. Satirical responses could be a form of dissent. In today’s digital age, memes and jokes spread rapidly on social media. People often use humour to express their opinions or frustrations about political figures. Fireworks and celebrations can symbolize the end of an era or a change in leadership. Some may view Raisi’s presidency as a turning point.
Iranians have a long history of using satire and humour to cope with challenging political situations. This tradition continues even in serious matters. Public reactions can be diverse, and not everyone celebrates in the same way. Some may genuinely mourn, while others express their feelings through satire. Given the challenges and recent events of a theocratic Iran, the editorial rightly concluded that “Excessive adherence to, or interpretation of, religious tenets, and worse by semi-literate mullahs, has been the curse of present times”.
Yours etc;
VK Lyngdoh
Via email
Single mothers deserve empathy
Editor
Most parents encourage their sons to always marry or settle with a woman who is still single and does not carry any baggage. However, it sometimes happens that the son falls in love with a single mother/ widow who happens to be a victim of circumstances. Sometimes such individuals find genuine love in each other and they become soulmates but most parents frown on such marriages. Parents consider a bachelor being akin to a single woman. This is a wrong mindset and parents need to be sensitized. The woman may have other human qualities, of honesty, loyalty and respect and might have been abandoned by her previous partner/husband. To say that a previously married woman is not a good life partner is a prejudice that must be discarded. Hence parents should consider the qualities of a woman not her former marital status. If parents encourage their sons to marry or settle down with single mothers/widows it will help women regain their self-respect in the society and enable them to live with dignity
Yours etc.,
Lionel Pyngrope,
Via email
Saipung afflicted by poor governance
Editor,
Your newspaper recently published a report on the inadequacy in the functioning of Saipung Block in East Jaintia Hills district. As a community resource expert who has worked and associated myself for over 10 years with people in those villages, there have been community developmental projects in that area under the IFAD funded LIPH project and later under few interventions with NABARD as well. However it is the lack of proper road connectivity from Saipung towards far flung villages like Saibual, Mulhoi, Tuituk, Thuruk, Mulian and many more habitations where a mix of Pnar and Biate communities co-exist. Incessant rains make traveling very cumbersome and power supply is not constant. Some say it is due to the lack of power supply upgrade in the sub-stations that are spread in various parts of this area which are difficult to repair or overhaul. No one knows how successful the JJM scheme is and if it is being implemented effectively in that area. It is sad that (Late) Oliver Chyrmang the architect of bringing the administration closer to the rural community, will not see his vision being fulfilled and that progress and prosperity would be a distant dream for Saipung. The Chief Minister should pay due attention to this area of East Jaintia Hills.
Yours etc..
Dominic S. Wankhar,
Via email