HOPPING FROM EXAMINATION HALL TO MARRIAGE PANDAL

If “marriages are made in heaven,” then some IAS officers are certainly made on Earth.
So when the constellations bounded this IAS officer’s marriage date auspiciously, Biniti Purkayasta did not have the faintest idea that an uphill task was cut up ahead of her.
On October 16, therefore, Biniti woke up early not to deck up as a Dulhan, but rush to her examination desk to appear her IAS Mains.
Then from the examination hall she rushed back to the marriage hall, to assume the role of a dotting bride, just hours after completing her examinations.
Biniti is one of the four candidates to have cleared this year’s IAS examinations from Meghalaya. She ranked 510.
“Bintidi would have ranked much higher if not her examination date clashed with her marriage,” Diksha Purkayasta her sister and self-confessed friend said confidently.
Not only did her marriage date clash with her IAS examinations, Biniti also sat for her IAS English exams on October 19 on the day of her engagement.
Her father D Purkayasta proudly recalls how Biniti would shut herself in her room during the month-long marriage rituals and toil on her studies.
“She instructed me not to allow anyone to disturb her during her studies and call only when an important ritual was on and her presence was absolutely necessary,” Biniti’s father recalled fondly.
Biniti who has completed her Masters in English and Sociology from Delhi University is interested in implementation of National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS). She is presently doing her thesis on slum dwellers in Shillong.
“Biniti wants to help the poor and is against corruption. She wants to be associated with the transparent and accounted implementation of NERGS,” her mother Mala Purkayasta added.
Now happily married and settled in Noida, Biniti with her grit and determination has proved that not all stars are in heaven, some do shine amongst us unassumingly.

Behdienkhlam

BEHDEINKHLEM FESTIVAL JAINTIA HILLS, MEGHALAYA

BEHDEINKLAM DANCE FESTIVAL

Behdienkhlam Dance festival Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya

JOURNEY TO THE LAND OF NO RETURN

Heavens only knows what's it like being there. But this one-way journey to the undiscovered land for both the living and the dead is a solemn affair.
Preparations for these travellers who never return are therefore meticulous. The Egyptian Pharaohs took their materials comforts and even guidebook, the Greeks their Coins to ferry themselves to the after-world.
Closer home the people following the indigenous religion in Khasi-Jaintia hills never step beyond this world without take along with them their favourite eatables during this long and lonely journey.
Rice, Kwai (betel leaves with lime and areca nut) and other eatables, according to individual taste, are placed with the dead.
The dead are given the ritualistic bath then are decked in the finest of clothes and eventually rested inside a Coffin locally known as Krong.
The Krongs are an amazing maze of bamboo splints, although simple in appearance. They somehow reproduce the ultimate geometrical summation of life's intricate curvatures.
The solemn art of Krong-making is therefore very important, a knowledge which has been passed on for generations in these hills.
The Krong is covered with cloth with the dead rested inside. Another piece of cloth is placed near the head to symbolize the death of a male. A cloth near the chest is placed in case of a female's death.
KS Wahlang, President Seng Khasi, says rituals are followed so that the departed enjoys 'eternal peace in heaven.'
The dead is cremated inside an air-tight block made of banana trunk called Jingthang Kpep. The fire and subsequent combustion is greater due to the air-tight banana trunk chamber, unlike an open pyre.
"Bodies turn into ash within three hours," Wahlang maintains.
Unfortunately, with growing pressure from western influences, the dead seem to be taking one more thing with them to the afterlife these days - bits and pieces of these unique tradition and art.
Unless corrective measures are not taken, the end would only have memories of this unique ancient beginning…

preity zeinta in Shillong

North India should learn from the northeast India regarding the special privileges the girl child enjoys here in the region, actress Preity Zinta said here today.
The actress was very much impressed, especially by the matrilineal system practiced here in Meghalaya, which holds women in high esteem. She said as a woman, who has taken up women’s cause, it was heartening to learn and see women being held with such respect in the region.
“North India with its female infanticide, should learn a thing or two from northeast India with regards to the rights and privileges women in the region enjoys. Women are subjected to raw deal in most part of India and here is an example which could definitely be taken as an inspiration”, the actress stated about the status women enjoys here.
The actress who is known for her strong women-oriented roles, added, she would take back some of the good ideas from the region and spread awareness in other parts of the country. “ I would try to do my bit in spreading awareness about the status women enjoys here”, she added.
Preity Zinta is shooting in different locations for the Jhanu Barua directed film, Har Pal. The film also features actors Shiney Ahuja and Dharmendra and the entire film crew are camping here and shooting for the past ten days.
In the Bollywood flick, she plays a local girl but refused to divulge about the story line. “You have to watch the movie and find out yourself”, Preity Zinta told reporters at the shooting location at Laitlum village, 25 kms from here.
Regarding Shillong she said it had the potential of becoming a major Bollywood film shootings and tourism destination with its natural beauty.

The eight Assembly elections in Meghalaya threw open a wondrous galaxy of "star" candidates - literally.

At the top of this 60-member "constellation" is Zenith Sangma radiating to seek re-election from Rangsakona assembly constituency. Giving him dazzling company is Celestine Lyngdoh trying to outshine Chief Minister DD Lapang from Nongpoh.

While, Starfing Jove Langpen Pdahkasiej from Mawsynrem, Edstar Lyngdoh Nongbri from Dienglieng and Beckster from Rongchugiri are all glowing in their respective constituencies.

The picture is rounded up by Moonlight Pariat from Jowai with Rain Augustine Lyngdoh adding to the election charm from Sohiong.

This has perhaps enticed Romeo Phira Rani who has coyly thrown open his arms to voters in Laitumkhrah constituency. Darling Wavel Lamare is not shying away, he too is trying to woo voters from Nongbah-Wahiajer constituency.

On ground, the mean electoral battle field has an intimidating line up. Bison Paslen is locking his political horns in Sutgna Shangpung, while Adolf Lu Hitler Marak – once detained in China for his name - is readying himself from Rangsakona for the fight.

Forward Lyngdoh Mawlong is leading the charge from Sohiong constituency, while Admiral K Sangma has sounded the bugle from Dalamgiri constituency.

H Britainwar Dan (Nartiang), Founder Strong Cajee (Mawlai), Chamberline B Marak (Bajengdoba), Boldness Nongum (Mairang), Bombersingh (Mylliem) and Billykid A Sangma are all breathing fire on their political opponents.

Thankfully, in the fray there is Dr. Adviser Pariong from Pariong constituency. Clever N Marak (Songsak) is trying to outsmart his rival. In Rongrengiri, Newton B Marak, a local film actor, is experimenting with his political luck.

Elsewhere, former Chief Minister J Dringwell Rymbai and traditional chief, Laborious Manik Syiem is sweating it out against Oral Syngkli who seems never short of words, in Jirang Constituency.

Hispreachering Son Shylla is spreading the mantra that he can deliver better than Union Tribal affairs Minister Patty Ripple Kyndiah's son in Nongkrem constituency.

Contesting from Nongstoin seat, Hopingstone Lyngdoh has not given up hope for a "separate Khasi-Jaintia" state. And Process T Sawkmie with two wins under his belt certainly knows the way to win elections from Mawlai constituency.

There is than Friday Lyngdoh (Mawkhar), Sevenson Dhar (Rymbai), EC Boniface Bamon (Nartiang), Comeone Ymbon (Raliang) , just to name a few in this interesting political arena.

If the names just about tickled the funny bones, than wait, there is Hilarious Pochen from Nongkrem, but not before Frankenstein W Momin from Mendipathar give his political rivals the goose bumps.

SHILLONG AN URBAN CHAOS

To ease traffic congestion, the East Khasi Hills District administration has revised school timings in Laitumkhrah area and set strict new guidelines for local taxis.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, Bhalang Dhar addressing the press said, schools in Laitumkhrah area would have on an experimental basis three sets of timings.
Some of the major School’s of Shillong are all located in Laitumkhrah area. During school hours, the traffic, taking a circuitous route from Dhanketi point and moving towards Laitumkhrah and ending at Dhanketi, comes to a standstill.
To ease the problem, St. Mary’s, St. Margaret and Loreto Convent would now start at 8 am., instead of 9 am. St. Anthony’s and St. Edmund’s would begin at their usual time (9 am) together with St. Peter’s, Kiddies’ Corner, Presbyterian School and others.
Nursery to KG class students in the area would go to school at 10 am now as per the new guideline. The new timings announced today would come into effect from next Monday, the DC informed. A decision to have new timings for junior schools is yet to be set.
The DC said the government-constituted committee to find ways to ease transport congestion, of which he is the Chairman, has found it “non-viable” to instruct schools to have school buses.
“There are 7300 school students in Higher Secondary schools. This is only in some of the major schools and not taking into account junior and other smaller schools in the area,” Dhar said.
He added, for all these students 146 school buses would be required, which would further aggravate Laitumkhrah’s traffic congestion. “So the committee felt the best alternative was to try this new model out,” Dhar observed.
The committee would meet again on June 27 and finally submit its report to the government on July 1.
Meanwhile, the administration has earmarked specific embarkment and dis-embarkment points for passengers of local taxis. 16 cameras would keep a watchful eye on violators at different locations of the city.
“For first and second offense, permit and drivers licenses would be suspended for one and two months respectively. But for third violation, both the permit and license would be cancelled,” Dhar warned.
The DC, also the Chairman of the Regional Transport Authority, warned Taxi drivers not to arbitrarily hike taxi fares, after fuel price was raised throughout the country.

ANIMAL CRUELTY

The Lady Hydari Park here might be closed down following a complaint filed by People for Ethical Treatment to Animals (PETA) to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to shut down the zoo for poor facility available at the mini zoo.
The Zoo authorities here have been directed by the Apex Court to shift endangered species immediately to Assam after the complaint was filed by PETA and wildlife activists.
'' Some of the animals do not have mates…the zoo should be closed and the animals and birds should be relocated to enable them to live in a better condition. The zoo does not have a full time veterinarian and the inmates are kept more as captive animals,'' complained Anuradha Sawhney, chief functionary of PETA, India, in a letter to CZA.
PETA said, without a full-fledged veterinarian in the zoo there are no facility to take care of sick animal. '' The enclosures were not designed to meet the full biological requirements of the animals,'' Sawhney added.
Moreover, there are no screens provided between the adjacent enclosures to safeguard animals from being excited or stressed because of the visibility of animals in other enclosures, the PETA Chief said, adding there were no moats in any of the enclosures and the last construction was done way back in 1992.
The Central Zoo Authority had earlier, ''blacklisted'' the Lady Hydari Park, which houses leopard, slow loris, seraw, rhesus monkeys, hoolock gibbons, toddy cat, barking deer, sambar, hill mayna among other animals.
This was done after PETA submitted in 2006 a report to Central Zoo Authority on the pathetic conditions and violation of the Recognition of Zoo Rules by Meghalaya Forest and Environment Department.
The park, named after the wife of a British-era governor and which doubles as a mini zoo has been in the news for many years for all the wrong reasons. The government has purchased land in Ri-Bhoi district ( Umtrew) to open a state zoo, but work to open the zoo is yet to begin. (EOM)

WHY AM I SO SHORT: P A SANGMA?

His ‘Gulliverian’ personality certainly does not match-up with his ‘Lilliputian’ stature and on Wednesday, Purno Agitok Sangma had this rather short poser for scientists: “Why is Sangma so short?”
When the NCP leader asked the question at a conference held at Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Umiam, most burst out into laughter thinking it was yet another characteristic pun of Sangma.
"I am serious," Sangma insisted. "Why is that most tribal in North-East short? Is it something to do with their food habit?" The former Lok Sabha Speaker, now the chairman of the Meghalaya Planning Board, asked.
This sent most of the audience at the ICAR centre into quite introspection. "I am really curious to know," he inquired in self-reflection.
Several Asians countries like Japan, Korea and China, Sangma said, have started research work to understand if food habit and nutritional aspects had any bearing with physical growth.
These nations feel that short stature of their respective population has put them into a disadvantageous position when it comes to competition in the sporting arena.
“European and African nations with their tall stature are always at an advantageous point when in come to sporting activities,” the just over 5 feet tall Sangma said.
"I wish the agricultural scientists take up similar studies on our food habit and see if there is any link between food and the physical structure of the tribal population," he said.
The Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sangma also urged upon the scientists to investigate if there was a correlation between food habit of the people of the north east and the large number of Cancer cases in the region.
"There are a large number of cancer cases among the tribal population in the region, and I wonder if consumption of dry or smoked meat - a tribal delicacy - could be a contributory factor," he wondered.
Sangma, during his long stint as a Union Minister in New Delhi, was loved and lampooned for his short stature and jovial demeanor by friends and cartoonists alike. However, on Wednesday this “short” speech of Sangma once again unveiled his “towering” personality!

Is Nongkhnum the world's second largest Island after Majuli?

NONGKHNUM ISLAND, Dec 8 – Majuli the world’s largest River Island would soon get a contender, with the Meghalaya government putting in serious effort to officially recognize Nongkhnum as the second largest River Island.

The Island was accidentally discovered by a group of local school students in 1996 during a project work. Ever since, the state government is doing its bit to promote the picturesque Island as a tourist destination. The Island is on Kynshai River in West Khasi Hills district and is 130 kms from the state capital.

Although people consider the Island as the second largest in Asia, an official survey to ascertain its area is due. “Survey would be carried out soon,” Extra Assistant Commissioner Donny Wahlang said during a three-day tourism festival, dubbed “Unveiling the West”.

Interestingly the Island is owned by four brothers of the Nongsiej clan. The brothers are agriculturists and sometimes double up as boatmen. One of the brothers seen ferrying people across the island said, he was happy with tourists coming to his Island home.

Just five houses of the brothers make the entire population of the Island. Vast tracts of the Island still remain to be discovered till date. However, adding to the Island’s charm are three waterfalls cascading from three different locations.

The three giant waterfalls - Thum, Wenia and Langshaing - have a perennial flow of water unlike other waterfalls in the state which dries up during winter. Wahlang said apart from the excitement that Nongkhnum could well be the second largest Island after Majuli the natural beauty of the Island value adds its marketability as a major tourism spot.

Priority is being given to develop roads and infrastructure near the Island. A guest house would be constructed soon, said Wahlang. Emphasis would be given to adventure and eco-tourism in the Island after a detail project report to develop tourism in the entire district is chalked out, he added.

The stray moments of history still romances under the cloud!

SOHBAR (CHERRAPUNJEE) INDIA - The stray moments of history still romances with the folklore of the 'Drum,' whistling and chugging up, trying as hard as the tired clouds of these hills.

This is the saga of a failed and forgotten project of a bygone era. Like the clouds, the 'Drum' too wanted to climb higher and higher up from the Bengal plains to Cherrapunjee. But, as with the tired clouds, it too broke down and fell.

The locals here fondly romanticize this story of 'Alan Sahep' and his dream to bring the 'Drum' to Cherrapunjee in the late 1800s, in an almost forgotten folklore.

"Alan Sahep committed suicide after his project failed," ninety-year-old Opren S Khongsit muttered recalling the legacy. "My grandfather told me the story of Alan Sahep's 'Drum' when I was a boy…," the veteran romanticized.

Historical background of this lore is almost gnawed by time. But, fortunately some record book give a brief account of this fascinating history.

In 1895-96, the British Provincial Government of Composite Assam constructed the Cherra or Theira Comanyganj railway line. The ‘Drum’ was in fact a Tramway, which was about 8 miles in length.

Meter gauge line was found too expensive. So Tramways, 2" – 6" gauge of varying length were devised in many parts of composite Assam. These Tramways were meant to be feeder lines to the main railway line in transporting passengers and goods.
The Cherra or Theira Comanyganj railway line was one such feeder line to the main line at Bengal’s Sylhet province (now in Bangladesh).

In this project, no private company was engaged by the provincial government, like in the case of similar projects during that time.

For 'Alan Sahep' and his men it was the biggest challenge to bring the Tramway atop Shillong plateau which juts vertically from the Bengal plain.

So steep are the inclines that even the clouds gets exhausted during this ascend and break down at Cherrapunjee causing the heaviest rainfall on earth.
Nonetheless, 'Alan Sahep' surveyed and managed to identify friendly inclines and lay down tracks and bridges for the project.

A trek through this forgotten legacy was a discovery of an isolated, but, amazing wonderland jungled only by neglect and probably over-sight.
The eventual climb was a stupendous maze of criss-crosses through dense forests and rushing cascades.

Remains of railway bridges over waterfalls hidden behind dense forest for now a century were found. Ancient stone ramps (now covered in thick foliage) ran up to these bridges. Moreover, scrapped bits of this history were discovered in nearby villages.

In Sohbar village for instance, scrapped rail tracks are now used as lamp post. Many of these tracks were also found in the village headmen's office.

“These were scrapped from the jungle nearby,” Steward Lyngskar, Saidar (headmen) of Sohbar village informed.

Record say, this Tramway carried passengers and also limestone in Sylhet province. Villagers here add that the Tramway came right up to Thangkrang near Cherrapunjee.
“Attempts were made to link the line up to Cherrapunjee”, the record book say adding, the project failed after the earthquake of 1897.

"At Tharia (near Sohbar village) the Engine of the 'Drum' derailed. It laid there for years. Eventually, villagers scrapped it," Opren narrated.

What is astonishing is that there are scant records about this amazing engineering feat. Very few, in fact, know about it in Meghalaya. The folklore has been kept alive only by persons like Opren.

There are many more pieces of the jigsaw that need to be put in place to get the complete picture. Many more questions relating to this amazing journey of 'Alan Sahep's Drum' yet to be answered...