Editor,
As we venture into the new year with positivity and aspirations in our daily endeavours especially among the educated jobless youth of our state that yearn for a government job as they endlessly apply for fewer vacant government posts, yet one government department has put on hold the screening test of some already advertised vacant post that had been advertised for over 5 years. As usual the pretext is some unfounded ostensible reason. The aberrant department is the Directorate of Agriculture that wantonly dithers on the screening exam of various posts within the ambit of the said department. These vacancies range from ministerial posts to Grade B vacant posts. Most of these vacant posts are occupied by contract and muster roll employees for decades. This is invalid and unconstitutional, as all vacant sanctioned post are to be filled by recommended candidates from mandated recruitment authorities viz MPSC ,DSC etc.
This conduct of the aforementioned department leads to frustration and anxiety among the aspiring candidates of the State that hanker after government jobs which has become saturated over the years. I therefore urge the administrative authorities to intervene in this matter and hasten up the screening exams of these vacant posts so that candidates who clear the competitive exams conducted by recruitment authorities are appointed instead of adopting the path of nepotism. The administrative authorities had recently in the official circular prohibited appointment of temporary staff in sanctioned posts and vacant posts are to be intimated immediately to mandated recruitment authorities, thereby leaving no lacuna in inconsistency of appointments to vacant post. I hope this is followed in letter and spirit by the incumbent department.
Yours etc.,
Lionel Pyngrope
Via email
Respecting the sacred: A call to action
Editor,
The recent incident in Mawlynnong village, where an individual used a sacred space for a publicity stunt, has left a bitter taste in the mouths of the entire state, as Salil Gewali aptly expressed in his letter—“Religion Not a Playground for Publicity Stunts,” (ST January 2, 2024). I found the letter very meaningful. This disrespectful incident in our state reminds us of the imperative to protect and respect the sacred rituals, icons, and spaces of every belief system.
As Salil Gewali rightly said, Hinduism is based on love, tolerance, compassion, and respect for all living beings. But this person’s actions blatantly disregard these values and are an insult to the religion. Ramakrishna’s example of embracing diverse religious practices and experiencing the unity of all religions is a powerful reminder of the importance of interfaith respect. True devotion to God lies in love, compassion, and service, not in divisive acts or disrespect toward others’ faiths.
It is imperative that we, as a society, come together to condemn such actions and ensure that sacred spaces are protected from mockery or divisive rhetoric. We must promote a culture of respect, tolerance, and understanding, where individuals from all faiths can coexist in harmony. We may follow different paths, but the ultimate goal is God.
As Gewali emphasized, exemplary punishment for such acts is necessary to deter others from repeating them. However, it is also equally important to educate and raise awareness about the importance of respecting sacred spaces and traditions.
Let us join hands to promote a culture of respect and tolerance, and ensure that sacred spaces remain sacred.
Yours etc.,
Rangme R Marak,
West Garo Hills
UDP’s prescriptions too generic in nature
Editor,
Apropos of the editorial, “UDP’s strange prescription” (ST January 4, 2025), the editor rightly pointed out that prescriptions for good governance are better discussed internally and, in the cabinet, rather than outside since the United Democratic Party (UDP) is the prime coalition partner of the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) Government . In a coalition government, especially in a politically diverse state like Meghalaya recommendations of a coalition partner have to be categorized more specifically and not in a generic manner.
There is a difference between specific and generic recommendations. Specific recommendations are customized to address particular issues or challenges faced by the coalition government. It is a tailored solution. For example, a specific recommendation might focus on improving infrastructure in a particular district or addressing the needs of a specific community. They often come with detailed steps and timelines for implementation or say a detailed action plan. For instance, a recommendation to improve healthcare services might include specific measures like building new hospitals, hiring more medical staff, and increasing funding for medical supplies. The outcomes are clearly defined and measurable. On the other hand, generic recommendations provide broad guidelines, which provide general advice or principles that can be applied across various situations. For example, a generic recommendation might suggest promoting transparency and accountability in government operations without detailing specific actions. They allow for flexibility in how they are implemented. For instance, a recommendation to improve education might suggest increasing funding for schools but leave it up to the coalition partners to decide how to allocate the funds. The outcomes are more general and can be applied to multiple areas. For example, a generic recommendation might aim to improve overall governance and public trust without specifying particular metrics.
Therefore, the editorial correctly pinpointed that before tasking the MDA government to meet the needs and expectations of the poor, this exercise should have been taken first within the UDP to assess what the Party demands from the Government, not in a generic but a specific manner. In Meghalaya, coalition governments are common due to the fragmented nature of political parties and the socio-cultural dynamics of the state. Specific recommendations might focus on addressing the unique needs of different tribal communities or improving infrastructure in remote areas. Generic recommendations, on the other hand, might emphasize the importance of maintaining political stability and fostering cooperation among coalition partners. Understanding the difference between these types of recommendations can help in effectively managing a coalition government and addressing the diverse needs of the population.
Yours etc;
VK Lyngdoh.
Via email
Niam Khasi- the correct perspective
Editor,
With reference to the article by Bhogtoram Mawroh captioned, “The dangerous nexus: Religion and politics in Meghalaya, (ST January 4, 2025), the author mentioned in one of the paragraphs that “Khasis are nature worshippers…”. Here I would like to state that in reality the Khasis(Niam Khasi faith adherents) are the worshippers of U Blei (in English meaning God). To the Niam Khasi adherents, U Blei is U Nongthaw U Nongbuh U Trai Kynrad (in English meaning The Almighty The Creator The Supreme Lord).
The adherents of the Niam Khasi worship U Blei through prayers and rituals. They worship U Blei at homes, in open fields (e.g Shad Suk Mynsiem, etc), in religious organization (e.g Seng Khasi) and at a sacred place, U Lum Sohpetbneng.
My late father taught me and my brothers and sisters to pray to U Blei for His Blessings and His Guidance. The elders of the Niam Khasi taught the same and kept on teaching to the adherents of the Niam Khasi.
With regards to Nature, the Niam Khasi adherents respect Nature. In the past before the British came to ‘Ka Bri U Hynñiew Trep,’ (the abode of the Khasis) the Khasis used to invoke Nature and the various phenomena of Nature(the earth, the water, the sun, the fire, the wind, the forest, the mountain, the river, the rain and so on) through prayers to U Blei, and through sacred stories(Ki Khanatang). Nature and its various phenomena were invoked to serve humans in times of sowing and harvesting seasons, in times of religious ceremonies and so on. This practice is still prevalent even today.
So, the Khasis of the Niam Khasi worship U Blei U Nongthaw U Nongbuh U Trai Kynrad, and respect Nature.
Yours etc.,
Wallambiang Rani
Upper Shillong