No intention to offend anyone

Editor,
This is in response to Dr. Omarlin Kyndiah’s letter entitled, “Why disrespect other cultures? ” which was published in your esteemed daily Dated March 28, 2025.
1. Let me begin by clarifying that I am no longer a Reverend as I had resigned and left the Church Ministry for good more than two years ago.
2. It is appalling to read that the writer is accusing me of terming the festival of indigenous faith as “chad cement”. It is far-fetched to accuse me that I am part of a “calculated effort” to paint the indigenous faith practices in poor light. It is suggestive that I may perhaps represent a group that wishes to undermine the “adherents of indigenous faith “. Therefore, I want to state here clearly that I represent myself in the above cited discussion and not any religious or civil society group. Whatever I deliberated on the subject, which is placed before the participants is my personal opinion which is based on available facts and my understanding of the issue. I participated in the discussion on my own accord as a citizen and the copy of the written draft on the points of discussion is available with me. Should there be any consequence I will only have to answer.
3. Perhaps I would also like to raise a point here on the writer’s ability to read or rather listen to the entire episode of discussion on the ecological perils in the State of Meghalaya which is the result of wanton greed. Is he or she trying to twist or deliberately misinterpret my entire deliberations by cherry picking the recorded lines so as to create confusion among the citizens which may perhaps lead to division?
4. In fact, the scale of environmental degradation in the State should have fumed every citizen with pain and anger irrespective of religion or beliefs he or she subscribed to.
5. This is Spring time, the queen of all seasons is rejuvenating lives here on earth and every culture across the universe, especially indigenous cultures, are celebrating life and offering thanks giving to its Maker (Who ever they believe) who has bestowed upon mother earth with such abundance for every being to sustain a living. Most of the indigenous dances in the Land of Hynniewtrep are the manifestations of the divine and through these dances and other practices we all pay our obeisance (in whichever form we deem fit) to the Creator.
6. Cultural/Religious dances like the Shad Sukra, Behdeinkhlam, Shad Suk Mynsiem et al are intrinsically linked to the primordial activity of our ancestors, i.e agriculture or farming and these dances, apart from religious elements which they entail, reflect the essence of socio-cultural, economic and political life of the community. However, I concur with Kong Sweetymon Rynjah where she opined that unlike the Shad Nongkrem, the Shad Suk Mynsiem which is primarily a thanksgiving dance, is not a religious dance as it does not entail any religious rituals, but we only beseech through prayers and exhort before the Almighty (Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem March 2000). We must earnestly and continually beseech before our Creator to save our land from the neo-liberals who are hell bent on destroying our ecology vis a vis faith, culture and freedom.
8. The Jaintia Hills region is rich in culture and religious practices because of the fact that there are about 176 landraces of rice which are indigenous to the region or in other words they are not found anywhere else. We all must take serious note about the decadal loss of 3.99% of rice area in Jaintia Hills due to extractive and unregulated mining. Such a loss in the rice area will not only impact the economy, but the socio-religious and cultural practices of the indigenous people.
9. For growth and development, along with other regions in the State, Jaintia Hills is also making headway to accelerate the so-called progress which benefits only a few. Since the liberalization the State is also pushing hard for investment and inviting investors from outside to mine the available raw materials, like lime stone etc and to set up industries. There are a number of investors who have set up cement industries and also several coke factories in the State. Meanwhile, there are also voices of concern on the impact that such an economic model has and which is believed to be at the cost of the environment. Therefore, the above cited discussion is in the context of environmental degradation and the survival of the indigenous people of the State in the face of economic progress.
10. As a writer and also an active participant in public discourse, I am extremely sensitive towards history, culture, traditions and especially to the sensibilities of people of other faiths. In no circumstances would I make fun at the cost of others. It is worth mentioning here that in the above mentioned public discourse, I subtly quoted a few lines from the Khasi Methodist Christian Hymn, “Haba nga iaid lyngba ki ‘law bah ‘law san, nga iohsngew ki jingpah ki sim ha u dieng. Na kliar ki lum nga iohi ki thie ki madan…” (These lines are translated from the English Hymn, “How Great Thou Art”) This act is also a critique to my own faith tradition. Does my religious song, which I prayfully sing every morning, about the greatness of the creation match with the current environmental realities?
11. The “chad cement” comment which was made by me during the course of discussion is intended metaphorically and should be understood in the proper context of our discussion. The comment does not equate “chad cement” with any revered indigenous festival, nor does it intend to suggest replacing it. I have no intention of disrespecting or demeaning the beliefs of any particular religious group, let alone the adherents of indigenous faith of Hynniewtrep community. However, if the general members of society and my own “kur and kha” (kith and kin) who are perhaps not able to grasp the nuances or that my “chad cement” comment has offended their sensibilities, to them I owe an unconditional apology. At the same time I honestly appeal to them not to be misled nor give in to the divisive elements whose endeavour is to create discord and confusion.
Yours etc.,
Kyrsoibor Pyrtuh,
Via email