Saturday, November 2, 2024
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The Dorbar Shnong debate

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Editor,
Please refer to the write-up “Evolution of the Modern-day Dorbar –Shnong in Khasi Society” by Rangbah Fabian Lyngdoh (ST Oct 29, 2024). I am happy to stress that it is a happy and promising occasion as Khasis begin to debate on the history, profile and potentials of this “Khasi indigenous grassroots institution”. The essay has raised some very important and critical points over this institution, we all love. Bah Fabian has laid claim to a very controversial issue and this relates to the history of the Dorbar Shnong. He says the concept of Dorbar Shnong or Village Council ( one and the same as per my own interpretation) is of a recent phenomenon, starting perhaps with as late as the advent of the British colonizers. The concept of Dorbar Raid or Dorbar Hima are older practices of the Khasis. This makes the Dorbar Shnong relatively new and it simply illustrates, as nothing ever can, the ability of Khasi society to adapt to changing circumstances as per demands of the times.
Bah Fabian goes further and enforces his arguments that the Dorbar Shnong concept is an ongoing evolutionary process in grassroots governance. This makes it crystal clear that the edicts of the Dorbar Shnong are not carved in stone. This important aspect of the Dorbar profile makes it comparatively easier for the Dorbar to accommodate requirements as they come. For example, women can now be accommodated in Dorbar meetings; a written constitution to streamline Dorbar activities is becoming popular; educated and dynamic persons are now slowly replacing that old practice of electing the most senior village member as Rangbah Shnong; last but not least, the need for Synjuks of Dorbars ( Apex Dorbar bodies) to better coordinate interaction with the authorities is fast gaining ground. This evolutionary profile of the modern Dorbar Shnong holds promise that grassroots governance in Meghalaya is proceeding in the right direction. It simply needs a helping hand, to make it the best in the country.
Last but not least are the potentials that the modern Dorbar Shnong holds for the people of the state. To bind the Dorbar system with rigid chains of tradition is the worst injury we can cause this breathing, living grassroots institution of the people. To claim that the different communities of Meghalaya have their own traditional Dorbar systems that brook no change, is to claim the ridiculous. To quote Bah Fabian again, “The district council and the state legislative assembly both have the authority to make laws and regulations to establish justice and uniformity on different aspects of village governance.” What Meghalaya needs is a uniform village governance Act to streamline the functioning of our grassroots institutions in all three District Councils. We can no longer afford to have, “independent mini states with different kinds of rules from one village to another.” Once such a uniformity is established the Government can go ahead investing in development that is sustainable and community driven and not the farcical scheme driven development we practice today. Problem is, do our political leaders and the parties they belong to have the will and the commitment for such positive changes? Is the welfare and well-being of the common man on their radar screens? Answers and Solutions will lie on how we keep this debate going!
Yours etc.,
Toki Blah,
Via email

Severe water crisis hits residents of Lower Jail Road & adjoining areas

Editor,
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the escalating water crisis that is affecting the Lower Jail Road area as well as other parts of Jail Road of Shillong. Water is our basic necessity and is critical to our lives. Water shortage has negatively impacted our daily household activities and every alternate day we have to purchase water from water tankers. This has caused financial burdens to most of the households. The water crisis has also led to a range of severe sufferings, impacting each and every individual, community and entire Lower Jail Road area. The timing for water supply is also irregular compared to earlier timings. Sometimes water is supplied when all members of households are out either for work or personal commitments. Moreover, there is not enough pressure in the water supply, thereby reducing the quantum of water supplied to each household.
This water crisis has become a cause of stress as our minds are preoccupied with the uncertainty of water supply and whether we will get enough water. The constant struggle for access to water has led to anxiety, depression, and social unrest within affected households in addition to financial burden. Individuals and residents have approached the authorities of the Shillong Municipal Board as well as PHE, but to no avail. The water crisis continues to haunt us. This leaves us agitated as to how to resolve this crisis which started about six months ago. The residents wonder if anyone is attending to the crisis and failing. Surprisingly, the neighbouring localities like Lawmali, Wahingdoh, Forest Colony etc., are receiving regular and sufficient water supply with the exception of Lower Jail Road and its adjoining areas. It is not clear as to whether there is any technical defect or diversion of water to other areas which has led to the present water crisis.
The Department of Public Utility must be pro-active to resolve the issue once and for all. Besides, Shillong received a sufficient amount of rainfall this year and hence there should not be any water scarcity at present. It is understood that timely maintenance is necessary, for which water supply may be stopped for one or two days but that does not seem to be the case.
I hope that this letter will provoke the authorities concerned to redress the plight of the Jail Road residents.
Yours etc.,
M. Sarkar,
Via email

Water crisis in “Smart City”

Editor,
The residents of Jail Road and certain pockets in Ward – 10 have been facing acute water crisis for the last 5-6 months. Common citizens have no means to approach the authority to resolve the water crisis in the locality, particularly the Lower Jail Road area. Some residents had made a common representation to the authorities of Shillong Municipal Board and PHED but their concerns have not been addressed. Often residents will find the plumbers are experimenting with the flow and supply of water management in the area. Today the situation is such that residents are running after the plumbers to resolve the plights of the households. But are plumbers the authority to resolve the problem of the residents or is there any authority above them?
Water is a basic necessity and it is incumbent on the authorities to ensure this regular and timely supply. As expected the water crisis became a boon for commercial water tankers as residents are compelled to purchase water at exorbitant rates. Residents can understand a temporary water crisis due to annual maintenance work or any emergency but this cannot be the norm. The residents have also been told that henceforth water will be supplied once a day. Today it is difficult to get 300/400 litres of water in a certain area of ward -10 Jail Road. Is this due to diversion of water to other areas or are there technical issues? The SMB and PHED should address the matter urgently as “the residents are losing patience.
One also wonders at the tall claims of the Smart City Project when most streets are dark with no street lighting and now citizens are facing the most critical problem of water supply! Is the Chief Minister listening?
Yours etc.,
Pinaki Das,
Via email

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