Editor,
Here we are living by the same script yet again – illegal mining claiming more lives of voiceless, poor labourers in illegal mines owned by the ” High Level ” and the ” High Level ” controlled government mouthing the same old blatant lies to defend its failures.
Of the many blatant lies the government uses in trying to pull the wool over our eyes is the explanation that ” the mining was taking place in remote areas, 3 – 4 hours walk away from the nearest villages,” which make it hard for authorities to detect any illegalities. That may or may not be true but basic common sense tells us that illegal coal wherever it may be extracted needs markets and to reach such markets needs to be transported by trucks and pass through state roads and national highways where there are several check- gates manned by the police and other authorities. Hence, if the police and other relevant authorities do their duties supply could be choked and stopped at these points and without markets, illegal mining would stop automatically. It may also be added that there is no need to use high – tech means like drones or satellites to detect illegal coal mining. Conventional methods if carried out with honesty would be enough. Having said this, as the trust level on all state authorities including the police has vanished, there is a need for central government intervention including the deployment of central police forces to man all the roads leading to coal markets as had similarly happened in Karnataka several years ago where illegal iron ore mining was stopped after the central government intervened.
Another blatant lie of the government and spokesmen of the ” High Level” is that coal mining, illegal or otherwise supports the livelihoods of thousands of locals . However, what we see is that whenever coal mining tragedies occur, those who lose their lives or get injured are always the non – local labourers which indicate that there are few, if any locals who are engaged in the dangerous rat hole mining. Besides labourers, we also know that coal mine supervisors and business managers are mostly non – locals. So which locals benefit from coal mining? The answer is common public knowledge – the High level coal mine owners who finance their opulent lifestyles at the expense of human life and the environment which is being demolished day by day.
If one sees straight, one realizes that coal mining has been responsible for the loss of innumerable livelihoods. Acid laden rivers poisoning agricultural land and fish sanctuaries downstream thereby snatching the age – old livelihoods of thousands of farmers and fishermen throwing them into poverty. But these people are voiceless and so few people know about their struggles.
The forthcoming session of the Assembly is at hand and as always, this session too will be another circus. It is certain that the issue of illegal coal mining will become a ” hot” issue. Opposition members will shout and make many accusations against the government but again as always they will fail to put the government on the mat. The ruling members especially those who are well known to be eloquent will wriggle the government out with their marathon sweet talks and distractions, in the process exhaust the extremely short duration of the Assembly. Things will end there.
In conclusion, I would like to say that the Executive and the Legislature have failed us repeatedly. There is no trust in them anymore. Our hope now rests on the judiciary which still appears to be functioning for our common good. Hence, our Hon’ble High Court is requested to order a probe by Central Agencies like the Enforcement Directorate or the CBI. We do not trust any government instituted inquiries because we have seen over the course of 54 years of statehood that the many inquiries that governments have instituted became mere exercises to distract and hoodwink us.
Yours etc.,
Samuel Swett,
Shillong – 2.
Beauty of Collective Well-being
Editor,
As a reader, I felt genuinely touched by the article “Worldview of Collective Well-Being” written by HH Mohrmen on the idea of the common good among the Khasi, Pnar, and War communities. Very few articles today make us stop and reflect on what it means to be human.
At a time when customs, traditions, and community life are slowly being pushed aside, this article brings back memories of values that once shaped everyday life. It recalls a way of life where people cared for one another, shared responsibilities, and looked beyond their own households.
The article speaks about beliefs and practices where people, nature, and relationships mattered most. These values of caring, respect for nature, and togetherness feel important in today’s divided world .What impressed me most was how death and mourning are shared by the community. Community visits after a death, keeping the body at home for final respects, continued support during mourning, and help with daily work show a sensitive understanding of loss and healing. Practices like ja-nam (visiting with cooked rice), where families take turns bringing food, reveal how compassion is expressed through simple, thoughtful actions.
Equally meaningful are the customs that maintain family ties even after death. Honouring both maternal and paternal relations and renewing bonds ensure that the bereaved are never left to face grief alone. Such practices help even children understand life and death naturally, without fear or avoidance.
The article also draws attention to other forms of shared responsibility within the community. Customs like ka chep (donation in cash or kind)during times of sorrow and celebration, jakhonboo (offering of food to mother of a new born child)for new mothers, and shared labour through chunong (community sharing of labour)and longhai (labour sharing tradition associated with weeding in jhum cultivation) reflect a spirit of cooperation.
These practices quietly teach dignity, mutual help, and reliance on one another. Traditional village institutions and voluntary leadership further show how community welfare once took precedence over personal interest.
While reading the article, I was reminded how humane and balanced a society can be. If similar practices existed everywhere, the world would surely feel more caring and grounded. It is heartening to know that many communities continue to follow these traditions, quietly keeping alive the spirit of humanity.By recording these practices, the author has done more than document history. He makes us reflect on what is slipping away in our present way of life He has held up a mirror to our present way of life and asked, without accusation, what we may be losing. The fading of such traditions is not just a cultural shift but a weakening of the values that once held communities together.
I would like to conclude by sincerely thanking the author for presenting these beliefs and practices with honesty and care. The article brings back humane values that once guided Khasi, Pnar communities .
Yours erc.,
Jairaj
Via email
