Editor,
Apropos Dr. Omarlin Kyndiah’s, “Why dismantled a heritage building” (ST 7 April 2016), we thank The Shillong Times for providing space to air our views and concerns. The reason for writing to the newspaper must have been our last resort. Numerous efforts were made by the members to convince the leadership of Sein Jaintia to reconsider the decision of dismantling the Sein Jaintia Hall. It was at least thought that a meeting of the General Council would be held to apprise the members of the need for such a drastic step. Alas! All efforts were in vain. The land for a community hall was transferred by the Government of Assam to the Jaintia community in 1955 for educational, social and cultural activities. However, the heritage Sein Jaintia Hall was dismantled to make way for construction of commercial complex which will take about 90 per cent of the land and leave only 10 per cent for the construction of a multipurpose hall.
This means that there will be no space for a Badminton Court and Theatre Hall which existed earlier. It is in this very Indoor Sports Hall that a number of State level Badminton and Table Tennis players have been produced and had brought laurels to the State. The facilities provided by this Indoor Hall were instrumental in them being able to achieve their dreams and aspirations. But sadly, with a heavy heart, all are aware that this will not be the case anymore. The youth of today require this space for bringing about their own development and to follow in the footsteps of their seniors. The present day youth are subject to a lot of social evils like drug abuse, alcoholism and physical abuse much of which is because of a lack of space to express themselves. Why should the leadership of Sein Jaintia not think of providing a space and platform to the youth to develop their physical, mental and social well being? We urge the leadership of Sein Jaintia to reconsider and rethink their present plan and listen to the voice of the youth. We are sure that all members would be agreeable to the issue of generating resources for the maintenance of the community hall but what would we like to see is that 80 per cent of the area be devoted to educational, social, sports and cultural activities and 20 per cent given off for commercial purposes.
Yours etc
R.Iooney Rymbai
,M.Belbin Kyndiah,
Kyrshan War
Members Sein Jaintia,
Via email
An absurd demand
Editor,
The demand of the Seng Khasi Mawsynram to remove Fr J. Bacchiarello’s book Ki Dienjat ki Longshuwa,” from the MBOSE. syllabus is baseless and irrelevant. Firstly the book is a compilation of many writings, thoughts and comments collected by the author from his sources. They are locals from the Christian and non-Christian faiths. Though Fr Bacchiarello is a clergy we cannot deny that he tried presenting his book from a secular perspective. The sole purpose of this book was to impart knowledge to school students regarding various faiths, cultures and practices. There will always be a critique on one’s works but to allege that his book or that certain chapters are an attempt at Christian conversion efforts is uncalled for. Secondly what provokes me to respond to this move to ban the book is because there is no logic in the demand. If the Organisation’s arguments were to improve and uplift the school educational syllabus thus bringing in a broader learning environment, I would have appreciated it. Sadly, it seems that the motives are something else. The alternatives they have suggested reveals it all .
Finally, if this book has been used by the MBOSE, in the school syllabus for so many years and the Board has a representation of learned people from different communities and faiths, is it right to undermine the role of the Board? Can it be said that it has been ignorant or partial or adopted a religious bias? This book has taught students to glean into various faith, beliefs and cultures. Will they be deprived of this knowledge? As a Khasi who is a Christian I still acknowledge the educational pioneering efforts of the missionaries and I will accept a critique on their works but what amazes me is, why this demand at this particular time? But considering that present Indian political context I think there is an active organisation which is infiltrating and influencing the communities on what to prescribe as the school syllabus and dictating what to learn and what not to. The role that education has to play in the world today is to broaden and enlighten our minds so that we can fight narrow mindedness, communalism and intolerance. Please leave education alone and stop playing politics with it.
Yours etc.,
Rev Nathan.B.Diengdoh,
Shilong-14