By Henry K Lyngdoh
The news report KSU asks govt, MTDF to stop dreaming about railways” (ST Oct 26, 2024) followed by the news report, “Govt clarifies rly projects in state not abandoned” (ST Oct 27, 2024) made by the DY CM, Sniawbhalang Dhar are confusing. The KSU apparently wishes to impress upon the public its continued stand on the ILP. The Dy CM on the other hand is trying to sell “his tough guy” posture to the Centre. To some of us living outside the state such statements can be confusing but this should not deter our love and the soft spot we have for Meghalaya. Its still our hearth and home. Actually both the Government and the pressure groups of the state have a lot to learn from those of us who are posted far away from home. We offer a birds eye view of the situation, a view perhaps difficult for those at home to develop. Our views are unbiased, balanced and impartial and perhaps we even come with wisdom and experience on our side. Time we shared our views and opinion with the rest of the State and the Jaitbynriew. Our only hope is that it is taken with the sincerity it demands.
First let us point out that the taunts of the KSU on the Government are totally pointless and unnecessary. Those holding political office today have all reached the limit of their abilities. They had crawled on their bellies to pass a resolution on the ILP so what more is expected out of them? If asked to jump again our politician’s only response will be “How High?” They only ask to be now left alone to complete their five years of office; pocket as much money as they can and that’s that. Actually the statement by our Dy CM mentioned is pathetic. He spoke simply to let out air (ban shu lait jynhaw). There’s no substance; no meaning; no import to what he said. In Germany we call such persons nutzlosen Mensch (meaning a useless human being)! Well, it’s time to call a spade a spade!
As for the KSU and the other pressure groups like the FKJGP,HITO, HNYF & HYC we believe that its time they did a reality check on their demand for the ILP. The mandate for granting ILP status to Meghalaya is with the centre and the Government of India has made it abundantly clear that ILP cannot come together with the 6th Schedule. By now this has become obvious to everyone. We have to give up one of the two. Amit Shah blundered with the ILP in Manipur and is unlikely to make the same mistake with Meghalaya. The demand for ILP has therefore reached the end of the road and the ILP issue now needs closure. Lets not give false hope to our people. It’s not fair. If influx is still an issue we need to think afresh on how to curb it. We need to start thinking about influx control that lie within the powers of the State Government. Strengthening perhaps the Meghalaya Residents Safety & Security Act (MRSSA) could be a better option. This we believe is an option, under the present circumstances, that calls and demands for greater in depth study. So let’s do it! We have nothing left to lose.
Our terrified youngsters believe that one day, we as a society will simply disappear, swamped out by outsiders. Perhaps, but can History provide some consolation? History offers to shed light on the subject by pointing out that the collapse of ancient civilizations had more to do with the fall in educational values and breakdown of the economy than anything else. For Meghalaya, our education has already gone down the hill, so we can safely assume that we are already on the slippery slope of a societal meltdown. As far as the economy is concerned, how have we performed in the last 50 years? Statehood in 1972 found our economy dependent on agriculture and government service. 50 years down the line we have managed to expand in only two areas i.e mass production of useless, vision-less fund pocketing politicians and contractors together with a multitude of extortionist cab drivers. Per capita we are at the bottom of the ladder. Our economy continues to shrink instead of grow. To hide their own incompetence and acts of corruption our leaders encourage and instigate our youngsters, in their demand for ILP, towards agitations, civic and social unrest. As a strategy politicians call it “Muddying the waters” and it seems to be working. It’s difficult to see or think clearly because everyone is so busy feeding their respective egos. Shame on the political class for leaving the state so vulnerable and helpless. Actually we should be thoroughly ashamed of ourselves!
Jarred Diamond the famous historian points out that collapse and survival of civilizations depend mainly on the direction of the economy of those civilizations. He is of the view that economic survival can come about from identifying two crucial choices distinguishing the past societies that failed from those that survived (a) Long-term planning: “… the courage to practice long-term thinking, and to make bold, courageous, anticipatory decisions at a time when problems have become perceptible but before they have reached crisis proportions.” Diamond says it can be especially bad when the short-term interest of elite leaders conflicts with the long-term interests of the society, and the elite are insulated from the direct consequences. (b) Willingness to reconsider core values: “… the courage to make painful decisions about values. Which of the values that formerly served a society well can continue to be maintained under new changed circumstances? Which of these treasured values must instead be jettisoned and replaced with different approaches?”
Diamond also took pains to point out the symptoms of an economic collapse. Often economic collapse is accompanied by social and civil unrest together with frequent breakdown of law and order. Capital (both wealth and human assets) start to fly out and poverty begins to seep in and as this increases there is a deep consciousness of societal inequalities in the social makeup. Poverty often results in migration of the rural poor to rich urban centres where the cycle of injustice simply becomes more pronounced. Child abuse, child neglect and substance abuse are not far from such scenes. The social consequences of the economic crisis are usually related to unemployment, poverty, inequality, political crisis, changing of cultural patterns, conflicts and the rise of extremist movements. All of these seem so familiar and contemporary to the Meghalayan society of today! As a Jaitbynriew we are petrified by the thought that someday we might become “hewers of wood and drawers of water.” A distinct possibility, if we as a community fail to hold the economy in our hands we might just end up as slaves or servants of others. Most of us are already bonded laborers to our own kith and kin, the so-called “High Level” folks. Quite possible if it has not already happened. So the time to be honest with ourselves; to course correct, has arrived. Let us not be scared by what confronts us but be resolute that we can fix it, provided we are really concerned with the future roadway for our people. So this is a clarion call to the youth of Meghalaya: Come rally round the bugle call. You have nothing to lose but what you have already lost!