Editor,
This is in response to the letter “Belief System and Faith” (ST March 8, 2025), in which Rudi Warjri expressed his chagrin at my statement that the large-scale abandonment of indigenous faiths by the state’s tribals is a glaring example of the toothlessness and lack of utility of the ADCs in protecting tradition and culture.
Perhaps Warjri missed the point of my letter, as evidenced by his defence of the “freedom of a person to choose his own faith.” He is right that tribal people have the freedom to practise their indigenous faiths or abandon it in favour of another religion, foreign or otherwise. This only reinforces my argument: the ultimate decision and power to preserve or discard tradition lies with the people, thereby raising the question—if the ADCs lack the power or right to intervene here, then what exactly are they meant to do?
We cannot excuse the steep decline in the share of indigenous faith followers under their watch by arguing, as Warjri did, that, “belief system is not synonymous with tradition/culture.” Viewed that way, no single trait is synonymous with tradition and culture and thus none of them are worth conserving. The matrilineal system alone is also not synonymous with culture, neither are the languages. Can they also be discarded without suffering any “loss of culture”? One could even argue that traditional faiths are among the primary defining characteristics of the people—unlike the matrilineal system (which exists in many communities worldwide). These faiths are truly “indigenous” and found nowhere else. If the ADCs are not expected to prevent the erosion of such a core trait, what purpose do they serve? For instance, many urban youths in the state today mainly use English for communication, and over time, more will likely adopt it as their primary language over their native tongues (as is also their right). When that happens, will it still be wrong to question the relevance of the ADCs?
It is also dishonest to argue that indigenous faiths specifically deserve to be abandoned due to certain terrible practices while ignoring the fact that Christianity, the adopted faith, has similar baggage, with heretic-burning and killing of non-believers being well-known examples. Yet, I doubt anyone would argue that converts should embrace these aspects as well. I also fail to see the point of bringing up the RSS here, as they have zero relevance and involvement in this issue (perhaps it was an ad- hominem retort, but I digress).
Furthermore, dismissing these concerns by saying, “This is how the Constitution says they have to function” is disingenuous. Even Warjri agrees that the current structure of these bodies—where the very people they regulate and tax (non-tribals) have no say in their elections—is discriminatory and undemocratic. Thus, the system is far from perfect or sacrosanct. Sadly, in a state where accountability and fair treatment are alien concepts, any reform seems unlikely—especially when non-tribals bear the brunt.
As it stands, the ADCs appear to be little more than over-glorified commerce regulatory authorities—policing small businesses run by non-tribals while doing little to curb larger entities that exploit loopholes to operate. Masquerading as custodians of culture, they blatantly discriminate against non-tribals while doing little to protect tradition. Of course, these bodies also consume significant resources under the pretext of culture, further taxing the reserves of our already impoverished state (much of which is ironically provided through the taxes of the non-tribals themselves and the Centre). While it may be an unachievable fantasy given Meghalaya’s history and governance, perhaps we could use Musk’s DOGE here too—to audit and purge the deadweight from these bloated institutions, and eliminate their discriminatory, undemocratic functioning.
Yours etc.,
N K Kehar
Shillong-3
Reviving our Shillong Observatory Hill
Editor,
A few years ago, I visited Hong Kong and my Chinese friend took me for a visit to the Hong Kong Observatory Hill which overlooks the city. I was so impressed by the beauty of the place and the spectacular sight it offers of the great city. The place is characterized by a motorable road but reserved for pedestrians. It is a road constructed all along the hill overlooking the city. I was told that the British made it when Hong Kong was under their governance. Recently I happened to visit Darjeeling city and there again I took a trip to another observatory hill constructed by the British during the colonial years. Here again, I realize that the road that runs around the hill is overlooking Darjeeling city. Both observatory hills seem to have been the creative undertakings of the British. It is evident that these places were made to serve as viewpoints of the cities. They are wonderful locations for the citizens and tourists to go perambulating in the evening hours, breathing the fresh air away from the hustle bustle of city life and from its pollution. They are wonderfully decorated with a variety of exotic plants and flowers as well as resting places. All along you have good restaurants and cafeterias etc. They are beautiful places to spend leisure time as well as have a healthy walk.
Incidentally, my attention turned to our own city of Shillong. I asked myself, why didn’t the British do the same here as well, for we also have the Shillong Peak overlooking the city. Then I realized that they had actually made a similar observatory hill on the slope of our Shillong hill. There is a motorable road above Malki Khliehshnong just a little above Pastoral Centre (Red Gable) which runs across up to Lawjynriew if I am not mistaken. The road is still there but sad to say that it has been left abandoned for decades now. Elderly people have informed me that during British rule that road was very much functional and British families used to frequent the place.
I personally feel that we have wasted a great opportunity by abandoning this historical spot. Darjeeling Observatory Hill for example, attracts thousands of people and it is one of the important and most frequented tourist locations. It is an income generation for the Tourism Department as well as for the local people. Here in Shillong, we have instead ignored our own observatory hill; what a shame? I believe all Shillongites will agree with me that the Government should do something to revive this heritage road and turn it into a bustling tourist spot. One or two small bridges need to be repaired and the road needs to be redone. The place could be done up aesthetically so as to become the pride of our city. In fact, an approach footpath could be made from this road up to the Shillong Peak viewpoint and of course if a cable car (ropeway) were to be installed it would be even more wonderful. This Government is giving a lot of emphasis to the tourism sector, so I hope something concrete would come up in this place, sooner than later .
Yours etc.,
Barnes Mawrie sdb,
Via email
Addressing water shortage through rainwater harvesting
Editor
For the last couple of weeks, it has been reported that there will be potable water shortage in and around Shillong. The Government is requesting those building new structures residences, commercial and institutional structures to make provisions for rain water harvesting.
The MUDA should be specifically told to incorporate this in their permission for building construction. The construction site map should be properly checked to see if that provision is included in the site plan. The Government should construct reservoirs wherever the land is available to avoid this problem.
The urgency is because there is apprehension that in the near future there will be acute water shortage as water sources are drying up due to climate change. There should be “nullas” to feed the existing sources and reservoirs of rain water in Shillong which has more than 4000 mm of rains every year. We should not suffer from water shortage if proper steps of harvesting rain water are undertaken.
Yours etc.,
SL Singhania,
Shillong