Editor,
Ellerine Diengdoh’s piece, in The ST dated 9th October, charmed me. After a long time, I got a chance to read a piece so beautifully written. Before I could pen a response, Patricia Mukhim’ s fiery write-up came the next day. The first is a sweet dreamy reverie about the Shillong and its society of yesteryears and the second a seething realistic comment on what it has descended to today. In a way the two pieces complement each other like the yin and the yang.
I have witnessed the fast-paced changes which have taken place in Meghalaya, more so in Shillong. From the slow laid-back town it was, during my college days, the city has become chaotic and unrecognisable.
The first wave of change happened sometime in the seventies when the trees were cut down for wood and rich timber traders moved to live in Shillong. But the worst started in the mid-eighties with the advent of large-scale coal mining in Jaintia Hills. This is when small beautiful cottages gave way to ugly cemented multi storied monstrosities. With it came trucks snarling though the city and traffic jams. From an idyllic town, we became an urban jungle where one had to scramble for a living. From this point onwards there was no looking back and we took a one-way road leaving any chance of a U turn behind.
The trouble with technology, the only worthwhile fruit of western science, is that it gets adopted as soon as it is developed before any social impact study can be done. Technology also changes the character of communities. Capitalism has come to us riding bareback on the tiger of technology which nobody dares to approach. One of the side effects of capitalism is that it brings about an unequal distribution of wealth and causes many families to be marginalised as it mercilessly ruins a way of life that has been practised for centuries. Peace, leisure and social cooperation are replaced by frenzy, efficiency and competition turning us from feeling humans into productive machines.
Of course climate change, addiction to alcohol and drugs, increased crime also follow in its wake as we can see in our surroundings and about which much has been written.
In essence this is what the Ellerine laments. Yet in balance it must be said that her vision though appealing and nostalgic is romantic and even impractical. We remember only the good from the past and many yearn for a return to a way of life that has disappeared. I was told by a lecturer friend to write about preserving the Khasi way of life. But that subject requires a more detailed approach than the letter to the editor format can bear.
The point being that can we even dream of living now without electricity, or cars and airplanes? Not to forget the very essential internet. Of course we can’t.
Meghalaya with its serene climate had a natural advantage as far as three sectors were concerned: healthcare, education and tourism. The first two we squandered and Guwahati has benefited from our lack of foresightedness. The last one, we are now milking injudiciously. There was never any need to get into large scale mining or into timber.
I jokingly tell people that the Land Transfer Act does little good in preserving the land. While local non tribals get the blame and the boot the in absentia non tribal is the one who gets the best part of it, in the form of timber, coal, limestone and boulders delivered to him in truck loads while he sits comfortably at home at Guwahati or in Bangladesh and what is left behind is of little use. At least if some businesses, tribal and non-tribal were allowed to operate with regulation but without interference or extortion we would have had good hospitals, hotels and educational institutions and the young would have had jobs.
For some years I taught at an institute which trains people to work in the hospitality sector. I saw firsthand how many Meghalayans are forced to seek work outside the state. We also know multitudes who go out seeking education and treatment. While in public, a never-ending diatribe carries on against dkhars the real issues are confined to the back burner. We have lost out as a state because we have an abundance of hate but no vision.
It is said that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. The fight for the Jaidbynriew has turned in reality into a fight against our own people in spite of all the song and dance about preserving a way of life. The NGO hammer sees everything as a nail, whether it is intermarriage or the rail.
One can go on and on but one needn’t because Patricia Mukhim has said all that needs to be said. One needs to admire her courage in speaking out in a place where most people live wearing the warm cloak of hypocrisy.
In conclusion I would recommend a reading of two books: 1. “Small is Beautiful” by EFS Schumacher and “Technopoly”, by Neil Postman. They show the dangers of a mindless adaptation of tech and point to the middle path of a judicious use of technology without harming either the social or natural environment.
I hope we can still learn.
Yours etc.,
Paramjit Singh Bakhshi,
Via emai
Deep Concern Over Rising Crime and Insensitive Official Remarks
Editor,
I am writing to express my profound distress and alarm regarding the recent surge in criminal activities across Meghalaya, particularly in Shillong. The past months have witnessed a disturbing spate of crimes, ranging from petty offences to heinous acts, including the tragic murders of innocent children as young as four and seven years old. These incidents have cast a dark shadow of fear and insecurity over our community, leaving citizens questioning the safety and well-being of their loved ones.
In the wake of such heart-breaking events, the public naturally looks to its leaders for reassurance, decisive action, and a commitment to justice. However, the recent statements attributed to the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in charge of Home, Mr Prestone Tynsong, have been deeply disappointing and, frankly, insensitive. When questioned by journalists about these grave concerns, Mr. Tynsong reportedly admonished the people to care and provide safety for their young children, rather than assuring a speedy investigation or outlining concrete safety measures.
This response is not only inadequate but also deeply insensitive. At a time when families are grieving and the community is grappling with fear, shifting the onus entirely onto parents and citizens is an abdication of governmental responsibility. It suggests a disconnect between the leadership and the harsh realities faced by the populace. While parental vigilance is undoubtedly crucial, it cannot be a substitute for robust law enforcement, effective crime prevention strategies, and a responsive justice system.
Mr Tynsong’s remarks, such as “For everything, the state government should not be blamed” and, “We need to also have proper education for the parents who need to take care of their kids,” convey a dismissive attitude towards the legitimate concerns of the public. It is the government’s primary duty to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, especially the most vulnerable among us. Instead of offering platitudes or deflecting blame, the people of Meghalaya expect their leaders to demonstrate empathy, initiate thorough investigations, strengthen police presence, and implement proactive measures to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
I urge The Shillong Times to highlight these critical issues and call upon the state government, particularly the Home Department, to re-evaluate its approach. We need assurances of swift justice for the victims and tangible steps towards creating a safer environment for all, rather than being lectured on responsibilities that are inherently shared.
Yours etc.,
Dr D F Marbaniang,
Via email
