ALL RELIGIONS ARE TRUE

As Christians visited Churches on the occasion of Good Friday, a Hindu temple resonated with the prayers from the Bible here at the state capital of Meghalaya, Shillong.

“Love thy neighbor is one of the most important commandments of the Christians, Jesus Christ himself said,” Father Joseph Cilia, from the Roman Catholic Church, sermonized to a congregation at a Temple. He said, “some religious leaders, unfortunately, are separating people instead of uniting them.”

Fr. Cilia was not alone in this discourse; he was joined by leaders from the Sikh, Seng Khasi, Muslim, Jain, Hindu and Buddhist religious orders at an “inter-faith dialogue” at the Ramakrishna Mission (RKM) here. They event was held to mark the 150^th birth anniversary celebrations of Swami Vivekananda.

“When I got this invitation I said to myself I won’t miss it, so I have come,” Fr. Cilia said, who was fasting on occasion of Good Friday. Before he spoke, a verse from the Bible was read out as a prayer.

“Some of the earliest records of inter-faith dialogues can be traced to the time of Akbar when the emperor held such discourses between the different religious groups.

Such discourses or Parliament of religion are held globally now and promote brotherhood and understanding of different religions,” Swami Guatamanadaji Maharaj, RKM, Chennai said, giving a brief history on such important inter-faith dialogues.

Additional Director General of Police, SK Jain who spoke on Jainism said, Anekantavada or pluralism or multiplicity of viewpoints is the cornerstone of Jainism.

“Every point of view is important and must be respected and that would lead us towards peace and brotherhood,” he said.

Similarly, Ka Tip Briew Tip Blei (know man know God) is one of the fundamental doctrines of Seng Khasi religion of the indigenous Khasi community of Meghalaya, Seng Khasi general secretary,Bentielang Singh Rumnong emphasized. 

The representative Sardarni Milan Kaur from one of the youngest religion of the world, Sikhism gave a power point presentation. The Vice president of Meghalaya Sikh Youth socio welfare organisation emphasized the importance of Langars or community kitchen in Sikhism to promote unity, equality and brotherhood amongst people of all religion, race or community.

“In the Langars food is cooked and everyone partakes the offering irrespective of religion, caste, creed or community. Sikhism promotes such qualities amongst mankind,” she said.

Uggen Tshewang from Bhutan and a practitioner of the Buddhist faith said, Lord Buddha said if we want others to be kind and loving to us we must exhibit similar qualities to others.

Prof. MSN Hahman from North Eastern Hill University’s history department and Abdi Rahman Ali Issak from Kenya spoke on behalf of Islam religion.  “The sufis saints brought Hindus and Muslims closer with their doctrine of equality and brotherhood. Jalaladdin Rumi, Amir Khusro, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti and others constantly preached about love and brotherhood between mankind,” Hahman said.

Swami Jnanalokanandaji Maharaj said that in Hinduism tolerance, love and forgiveness are very important aspects. “We must respect and tolerate  the other persons view for peace and unity,” the monk said. 

Earlier, prayers service were of all the religions and verses from Bhagwat Gita (Hinduism), Tripitika (Bhuddhism), Guru Grant Sahib (Sikhism) Koran (Islam), Seng Khasi and Kalpa Sutra (Jainism) were read out. 

"UNSCRUPLOUS POLITICIANS" IN MEGHALAYA TO PROVE POINT WITH LOKAYUKTA

The Meghalaya Government today affirmed that it would dispel the perception that “politicians are the most unscrupulous people” by soon passing a “strong and effective” Lokayukta Bill.

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said in the Assembly that people have this perception nowadays that “politicians are the most unscrupulous people” around, but in fact corruption is endemic to all sections of the society.

The Meghalaya Government has been under tremendous pressure to pass a strong Lokayukta Bill from the civil society. This demand has found support with some legislators who have openly rejected the earlier Bill passed last year as “weak and ineffective” to fight corruption.

The then opposition Nationalist Congress party walked out of the Assembly, when the Bill was passed without discussion, saying, it did not want to be part of a legacy known for passing ineffective Bills.

Some legislators from the treasury too have voiced similar concern at that time, but the Government went ahead and passed it only to be snubbed by Governor Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary who withheld his assent, maintaining the Meghalaya Lokayukta Bill, 2012 needs changes.

Paul Lyngdoh from the opposition United Democratic Party moving a resolution said the Lokayukta Bills does not upheld the ethos of transparency and justice that legislators espouses.

He pointed several anomalies to buttress his claim and suggested that “it should be redrafted instead of amending most of the clauses.” “Take members from the opposition in redrafting the Bill or send it to a select committee,” Lyngdoh demanded.

Other members of the House, like John Leslee Sangma, said, the Bill was weak, defensive and “exposed fear in the Government.” “Although the Government passed the Bill it cleverly inserted clauses to get away (from corruption charges). It was passed with an intention to obstruct justice and as a defense for the corrupt,” Leslee, one of the new members of the House, insisted.

The Chief Minister said later that the Government would not shy away from its responsibility in bringing a Bill that is acceptable to all sections of the society and it would do it soon.

“The Government would do all it can to fight corruption and would also supplement the Lokayukta Bill with other legislations like social auditing of schemes and a law for effective delivery mechanisms,” he assured the House. 

MEGHALAYA SOUGHT SPECIAL PACKAGE BEFORE PRESENTING BUDGET

Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma today presented a tax-free deficit budget of Rs 526 crore for the current fiscal, while informing a “special package” has been sought from the Union Finance Minister to improve roads.

It is estimated that the state’s total receipt during 2013-14 would be Rs 8609 crore. The centre’s grant-in-aid remains the bulk of this total at Rs 4761 crore. The state’s own tax revenue is pegged at Rs. 1371 crore.

The estimated total expenditure during this period would be Rs.9, 135 crore or a deficit of Rs. 526 crore, which is around 2.62 per cent of the gross state domestic product (GSDP).

“The key feature of Meghalaya’s public finance regime have been an over dependence on central resources (about 80 per cent) …A sizeable gap exists between the resources needed to finance development and infrastructure, and the resources available. The nascent and small private sector will not, in the future, be able to contribute significantly,” Sangma, who also hold the finance portfolio, said while presenting the budget.

He nonetheless informed that the state have sought a special package from the Union finance minister to improve roads in the state. “We propose to widen and upgrade all major district roads, state highways and other strategic roads. I have sought the intervention of the Union finance minster for a special package…,” he said adding, a plan outlay of Rs. 455.44 crore has been proposed for this sector.

Sangma added that state would try to explore other ways to mobilize fund from different agencies. He said that the state would send its recommendation to the 13^th Finance Commission highlighting the state’s requirement, besides it is negotiating on a 100 million dollar loan component from the Asian Development Bank to support “human capital development.”

The state Government has moreover estimated an amount of Rs. 210 crore for schemes and programmes to be implemented with the North Eastern Council’s assistance.

The Chief Minister said that the Meghalaya government has decided to propose a tentative plan of Rs 4, 141 crore for the current fiscal. Out of this allocation, 26.43 per cent is earmarked for the social sector, 19.90 per cent for power, 10.34 per cent transport, 9.36 per cent for agriculture and allied sector, 6.47  per cent irrigation and 4.88 per cent for rural development.

The non-plan expenditure for 2013-14 has been estimated at Rs. 3482 crore. The government has proposed an outlay of Rs 607 crore for the education department, Rs 433 crore for police, Rs 309 crore for PWD, Rs 250 crore for agriculture and allied sectors and Rs 179 crore for health.

Along with the budget, the Chief Minister also presented Rs 2332.36 crore vote-on-accounts for proposed expenditure during the first quarter of the current fiscal.

MEGHALAYA SEEKS SPECIAL PACKAGE LIKE BIHAR

Janata Dal’s (U) political blackmail for special status for Bihar in exchange of its support in 2014 might have opened a Pandora’s Box with a Meghalaya legislator saying that it is “an opportune moment” for Meghalaya also to demand special package from New Delhi.

MLA Paul Lyngdoh, working president of the United Democratic Party and former student leader of the Khasi Students’ Union, described in the Assembly on Monday as “the opportune moment” for Congress legislators to make a similar demand for Meghalaya as Bihar, to wriggle out of its current financial woes.

“If Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar can take train load of people to New Delhi and demand special status (then) it is the opportune moment for the Congress members to go to New Delhi and demand for special package for Meghalaya,” Lyngdoh said.

He said with the additional funds the state can work in earnest to develop its fledgling infrastructure, especially its connectivity, which is the major hurdle towards development, be it poor roads or airports. He said development of the Umroi airport must be taken up as a priority with the additional fund.

Lyngdoh was referring to Kumar’s rally at the Ramlilla grounds in New Delhi recently where thousands of his state supporters demanded special status for Bihar in exchange of support during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

There are other states that are awaiting such largesse from the centre ahead of the crucial Lok Sabha elections in 2014. The northeast region, however, enjoys some sort of special status by way of fund allotment and other political freedom.

The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region looks after the interest of the region specifically. Moreover, the Non Lapsable Pool of Central Resources, in which ten per cent of fund from different departments are allotted for development of the region, are some of the centre’s other special initiatives. States like Arunachal Pradesh, on the other hand, are getting special attention owing to its strategic nature and constant claim over this territory by China.

Moreover, some of the district councils look after the social, economic and political freedom of the tribals of the region, but nonetheless regional parties from the region and elsewhere in the country might take a leaf out from Kumar’s book before the elections and milk the situation. 

WOMAN HOME MINISTER IN MATRILINEAL MEGHALAYA

It is only apt that Meghalaya following a matrilineal system in India’s northeast corner now has a women looking after the safety and security of its people in Roshan Warjri as the first women Home minister of the state.

Warjri becomes one of the few women ministers to hold the important Home portfolio traditionally reserved for men. Apart from the Home department Warjri has the additional charge of home (jails) and the public works department (buildings), equally important portfolios.

Warjri, 63, was elected from North Shillong assembly constituency in the state capital and is the first woman in Northeast and eastern India to hold the Home department. In fact, she is the second women to hold the portfolio in India after P. Sabita Indra Reddy in Andhra Pradesh.

She first joined politics in 1993 and won on a Hill People’s Union ticket. She returned to the Assembly in 1998 contesting on a United Democratic Party and held the urban affairs portfolio, but thereafter she did not contest, until this assembly polls.

Warjri has her task cut out ahead of her. Meghalaya though having a matrilineal society, wherein women retain their surname after marriage (Warjri’s late husband was Korbar Sing Phanbuh ) and children take their mother’s surname, crime against women is high, especially rape.

In 2012 Meghalaya, having a population of about 30 lakh or 3 million, there were 236 cases registered relating to crime against women. Out these cases, 158 were rape of women. The figure is an increase from the previous year which registered 130 rape cases of women, out of 269 reported cases of crimes against women.

“We are concerned with the growing crime graph against women in our state. We will establish fast track courts in all the district headquarters to ensure speedy delivery of justice to victims,” she said after taking charge of her departments.

Warjri, moreover said, there is need to inculcate “moral values” to school children. “There is a need to strengthen the teaching of moral science as a subject as a measure to curb crime against women in the state.” she suggested.

Moreover, militancy in another problem that needs to be tackled. Various banned insurgent outfits are continuing with their extortions, kidnapping and killings in different parts of the state and therefore maintaining the law and order is a challenge.

Warjri has replaced senior Congress leader HDR Lyngdoh, who earlier held the portfolio in the previous Meghalaya United alliance Government.  “I am totally committed to the task that I have been assignment,” she said about the job at hand.

Abu Taher Mondal first non-tribal Speaker of Meghalaya

After electing Abu Taher Mondal, as the first Speaker from the minority non-tribal population, Meghalaya legislators wished that the cause of tribal people would be suitably “trumpeted” at different platforms of the country and abroad.

It is for the first time that a legislator from the non-tribal minority population was elected as the Speaker after the creation of the state in 1972. Meghalaya has a predominately Christian tribal population.

Incidentally, Mondal, who is a structural engineer by profession, is the lone non-tribal representative from the Congress in this 9th Meghalaya Legislative Assembly having 60 members. He now has become the 15th Speaker of Meghalaya Assembly.

Mondal first created history in 1998 when he was inducted in BB Lyngdoh’s ministry as the first non-tribal minister.

 “You represent the tribals of the state. People should know the tribals of the state through you,” former Chief Minister and United Democratic Party (UDP) president, Donkupar Roy said while felicitating the Speaker. Others expressed similar views:

“We need a non-tribal trumpeter for the tribals,” women legislator and former Urban affairs minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh said.

Incidentally, four Hill State People’s Democratic Party legislators abstained from the election opposing Mondal’s nomination from the non-tribal community for the Speaker’s post. They wanted a tribal from the state instead.

Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said that the election has proved that “Meghalaya provides space for everyone, irrespective of caste creed or religion.” Sangma, believed to be close to Mondal, said other regional parties like the UDP were consulted on the election and they have agreed not to put up their candidate and so the Speaker was elected unopposed.

Other senior legislators like former Chief Ministers, DD Lapang and SC Marak congratulating Mondal and urged that the he would remain impartial and would uphold the dignity of the Assembly. “Meghalaya Assembly is known for its high level of dignity, decorum and discipline, please maintain the same,” Marak said.

Meanwhile, in his maiden address to the House as the Speaker, Mondal said, he would represent the state keeping the interest of all section of the people, especially the tribals, into consideration.  Stating that he was “deeply overwhelmed” by the support of the legislators, Mondal said that he would endeavour to protect and maintain the traditional interest, privileges and independence of the House.

Later, he told reporters that he would like to see that the Meghalaya Assembly gets its permanent complex during his term and said he would begin on the work immediately. The old Meghalaya Assembly was gutted in 2001 and since then the Assembly has been functioning from temporary locations. 

KALAM: " INDIANS NEED ANTI-CORRUPTION BILL AT HOME NOT PARLIAMENT

Former President, APJ Abdul Kalam today said,  Indians first need an anti-corruption bill legislated in their respective homes, rather than a bill from the parliament.

 “First, we need an anti-corruption Bill for a clean house, home and then the Nation,” Kalam said, who was here to inaugurate the annual seminar on sustainability at the Indian Institute of Management, Shillong.

The “missile man” was at his eccentric best and while spelling out the ways to make India corruption free, he inquired to the questionnaire with a hint of cynicism: “If I say something would you follow?”

then the former President went on to explain that  it is the duty of the parents to inculcate within their children a spirit of doing the right things in their houses for a clean and vibrant India.

The youngsters on their part needs to step their foot in when they find the elders going awry, Kalam told the gathering of students, faculty and other guests.

“Strong anti-corruption laws, like what Anna Hazare is demanding may come, but would only fill jails…we need something else right in our homes,” Kalam emphasised.

Although many would agree with what Kalam meant about “regulating ourselves first” and this process of self-regulation may be on within many, but many Indians wouldn’t mind to see the jails filled up at this moment with conmen increasing by the day and looting the public exchequer.

The Congress-led UPA Government has been dilly-dallying from framing a “strong” Lokayukta, despite the country having witnessed some of the strongest protest on its streets last year against scams and demand for swift punitive action against the guilty.

Meanwhile, Kalam has accepted a request from IIM, Shillong to be its visiting faculty and would teach on “societal transformation bio-technology and its application.” He had earlier taken up a similar assignment at IIM-Ahmedabad.

“I am a teacher. As a Professor wherever the knowledge takes me I go and share it. I like meeting young people and I would like to contribute to their knowledge," he said.

Director IIM, Shillong, Keya Sengupta said that the institute would be greatly enriched through Kalam’s intervention. “We are extremely grateful and lucky that the former President has accepted our request to be our faculty this summer,” she said.

Meghalaya gets strongest feminine touch in its Assembly

The 9^th Meghalaya would get its strongest feminine touch with the entry of four female candidates in the 60-member House.

This is the highest number of female candidate entering into the Meghalaya Assembly after the creation of the state in 1972. During the 6^th Assembly in 1998, there were three female candidates and was the previous highest record of women representatives.

In the first general elections of 1972, just one woman candidate won. The trend has been more or less the same over the years. In the last Assembly the urban affairs minister, Ampareen Lyngdoh was the lone women representative. She is currently embroiled in a controversy, after being indicted by the CBI for tampering with results of teachers’ recruitment last year.

Incidentally, all the four women legislators are from the Congress who would form the Government. Apart from Lyngdoh, senior Congress legislator and working Pradesh president, Deborah Marak, Roshan Warjri and Chief Minister Mukul Sangma’s wife Dikanchi D Shira are the four women representatives.

Many would have preferred that a few of these representatives belonged to the opposition parties like the United Democratic Party, Hill State People’s Democratic Party, National People’s Party and others.

Meghalaya follows a matrilineal society and therefore the Chief Minister’s wife surname is not Sangma and Shira, as is the norm elsewhere. Children belonging to the three tribes, Khasi, Jaintia and Garo take the mother’s surname and women retain their surname after marriage.

But, despite being a matrilineal society, women have the least say in the traditional political setup and in terms of economic freedom, women are also marginalised. The crime rate against women is also, especially  high.

Meanwhile, Marak is a seasoned politician and has held several key portfolios over the years and is likely to get a ministerial berth this time. She is also the niece of former Chief Minister Salseng Marak who has made a comeback in this election.

Warjri, after joining the Congress last year was made the chairperson of the women’s commission and is also a veteran politician. She has contested and won in earlier elections, but, on regional party ticket. She too held several key ministerial berths in her political career.

Only Shira is the newcomer, but should not find it difficult to move around the male-dominated corridors of power with the guidance of her husband and also brother-in-law, Zenith Sangma, who is making a comeback for a second term after losing in the 2008 elections.

Although many would argue that less than 10 per cent representation of women in the Assembly is far from satisfactory, nonetheless, one would expect that women related issues would be more sensitively taken up now with the entry of these women legislators.

CONGRESS WINS MEGHALAYA POLLS

Led by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma, the Congress today emerged as the single largest party, two shy of getting the absolute majority, but nonetheless was the party’s best performance ever in Meghalaya Assembly elections.

With a total of 29 seats, the Congress is two short from getting the absolute majority in the 60-seat Assembly, but has little to worry with a record 13 Independents winning the elections and some of these candidates would definitely provide the extra cushion in forming the new Government. The Congress has never crossed the 25 seat mark ever since Meghalaya attained statehood in 1972.

In this Congress victory, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma led from the front winning for the fifth consecutive term from Ampati constituency with the largest victory margin from amongst the 60 candidates with 9096 votes polled in his favour and would be a strong contender for the CM's post. Sangma’s wife, Dikkanchi D Shira, moreover, won from Mahendraganj and his brother Zenith Sangma  from Rangsakona constituency in Garo Hills.

Similarly, most ministers belonging to the Congress won the elections. Prominent amongst these include: former chief ministers DD Lapang (Nongpoh) and Salseng C Marak (Resubelpara), Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh (Sohiong), Education Minister, RC Laloo (Jowai), Forest and environment minister, Prestone Tyngsong (Pynursla), Water resources minister, AL Hek (Pynthormukhrah) and Information and Technology minister, AT Mondol from Phulbari constituency.

“The people have responded to the Congress party for our good governance and development,” a jubilant Chief Minister, Mukul Sangma said.  

The regional parties, especially Purno Sangma-led National People’s Party (NPP), was routed in Garo Hills able to get just two seats – a sharp drop from the 2008’s tally of 15 seats. Only Purno Sangma’s son, James Sangma and Nihim D Shira won from the NPP in the Garo Hills region.

In this bargain, the leader of opposition, Conrad Sangma from the NPP lost from Selsella Constituency against rival Congress candidate Clement Marak by 2000 votes.  “This is the people’s mandate and we accept it,” Conrad Sangma, another son of Purno Sangma, said after his election defeat.

The other regional party United Democratic Party (UDP) and an ally of the Congress party in the Government didn’t fare well either from its traditional stronghold in Khasi-Jaintia Hills belt, winning just eight seats. In 2008 elections the party won 11 seats.

Even UDP working president and deputy Chief Minister lost against Congress legislator and Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh from East Shillong constituency by 5084 votes.

“The result is shocking and unbelievable. The result is beyond our expectations as we were hoping for at least 15 seats,” former Chief Minister and UDP president Chief Donkupar Roy said, who himself won narrowly by 455 votes from Shella constituency.

However, another regional party the Hill State People’s Democratic Party (HSPDP) won four seats, increasing its tally from 2008 elections by two seats. HSPDP president and senior politician Hopinstone Lyngdoh retained the Nongstoin seat for the eighth consecutive term. The Nationalist Congress Party won two seats, Garo National Council and North East Social Democratic Party one seats respectively.

The Congress, meanwhile, suffered a major setback in Nongthymmai constituency where Speaker of the Assembly, Charles Pyngrope lost to UDP candidate Jemino Mawthoh by 1137 votes. Moreover, PHE minister Shitlang Pale lost in Sutgna-Saipung constituency against Independent candidate, Hopeful Bamon by 1462 votes.

Similarly, UDP candidate and Minister for social welfare, JA Lyngdoh lost to Congress candidate Kennedy C Khyriem from Mawphlang seat by 3344 votes.