By Loniak Marbaniang
In the beginning of the year 1947, months before India became a free nation on August 15, there was much talk about independence and speculations were rife about what would happen in months and years to come. At market places, in rice and tea shops, in any public gathering the main topic of conversation was about independence, as if there were no other things to do.
During that time, people were mostly illiterate and quite backward and knew little about the world beyond the confines of their villages. The nearest town was Shillong, capital of Assam, whose inhabitants were mostly literate and educated. Villagers going to Shillong for their needs and returning home would relate all kinds of stories about independence, and at times, exaggerating them. Young urchins would gather round their elders to listen to the development of events in the country and throughout the world, mesmerised by strange stories about the future as if they were fairy tales.
The meaning of independence then was very vague except that it would involve mostly the changing of rulers right from the top to the bottom, that is from dohlieh (white skin people) to dohiong (black skin people), which involved transfer of power from the British to the native Indians.
Interestingly, all these developments in mainstream India had no impact at all on the hill people of present-day Meghalaya; not only because of distance and lack of communication but because of how colonial powers treated its people with love and respect. Foreign Christian missionaries of different denominations established schools and health centres for the benefit of local tribals who were all along neglected.
The contribution of Ramakrishna Mission (RKM) has been greatly appreciated by people, especially in Sohra — a number of luminaries in academic, administrative and politics have come out from this institution and rendered memorable services not only to the state but also to the nation at large. It is really unfortunate that critics, mainly from outside the region, nurture a myopic view on this issue and paint an adverse picture, in an attempt to malign and create controversies, reflecting spirit of intolerance. Nevertheless, tribals are grateful people and know how to honour and respect those who help them in times of need.
As John Miller said, “How happy a person is, depends on the depth of his gratitude”. With exception of few Britishers, majority of them did not consider themselves superior nor looked down upon tribals as inferior. Instead, they tried to uplift them and extended all possible help so that they too, on their part, felt grateful. Perhaps, the spirit of mutual love and respect was translated into action and reality, because of this, and which was manifested during independence movement across India. While the nationalist movement was fermenting and boiling in the country, there was more or less complete lull and calm in the region. We were too young and immature to know about the greatest day in the history of India, except in listening to the lectures narrated by elders and grown-ups. Later on, when we came to pursue studies in Shillong, we acquired some knowledge from history text books and participated in Independence Day celebration at Garrison Ground, Shillong (locally known as Madan Kyrkit Laban or Laban Cricket Ground) for a few years until the venue was subsequently changed to Polo Ground, Shillong.
The hill region then and Shillong in particular, were very peaceful. People belonging to various cultural backgrounds lived in harmony without any disturbances or inconveniences. In the evening, students and older people would attend night classes (5:15pm – 8:15pm.) at different schools and colleges in and around the town, straight from their work in offices or casual labour. Private transport services plied without any hindrance from early morning till 9-10pm, while taxis moved even after midnight without any fear. Visitors from outside and even abroad would go back home with memorable stories about ‘Scotland of the East’, wishing to visit again. Many of the graduates from evening classes would become great
personalities.
During Durga Puja celebrations, local tribal people would enthusiastically participate and join the processions for immersion at Polo stream. On returning back in the evening they would enjoy cinema shows at different cinema halls in the city before going home. The same scenarios would repeat during Eid, Moharram, Bihu etc., including Christmas vigil. People of all communities and religious backgrounds would participate fully and mingle freely. Tourists and outsiders not only would enjoy the scene of brotherhood and sisterhood but would also join the crowd happily. Local people were always ready to extend helping hands to anyone in need or in trouble, and in return they too received same hospitality from people of different places. This spirit of bonhomie was common among Shillongites for many, many years.
The spirit of friendship and cooperation also prevailed with members of different defence departments located in different areas of Shillong and its neighbourhood. The Laban Cricket Ground was the usual venue for different kinds of sports and tournaments, including social and cultural activities and religious festivals as well. The Assam Inter-District Football Tournament, held in 1960, was one such memorable event. The final competition was between Gauhati district and host team, Shillong district, which ended in a draw after three consecutive games. Following rules and guidelines of the time, the trophy was shared six months each with Gauhati district holding first, followed by Shillong.
Exhibition football matches were great attraction, with illustrious teams from outside, especially Calcutta participating – Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammedan, to name a few. Sports, athletics and basketball competitions were held every year for different schools. Officers and personnel of defence departments were always present and ever ready for any cooperation and assistance. Civilians and armed forces had respect for each other. It is interesting to note that those who went back home or were stationed elsewhere had fond memories of Shillong and its people.
Sadly, this peace and tranquility in ‘Abode of the Clouds’ did not last long and one hopes that good days will come back. Rebecca Manley Pippert said, “Hope does not depend on having a blueprint for the future”.
Suddenly and unexpectedly, the quietness and calm were shattered sometime in September 1979 when misunderstanding and mistrust erupted into violent communal clashes in the pine city of Shillong, and soon spread beyond – unseen and unheard before. The after-effects lingered on for quite a long period of time affecting development and economy, not to mention the casualties. Communal disturbances, though comparatively minor, occurred again in 1987 and 1992.Faith and trust between different communities of Shillong’s cosmopolitan city gave way to fear and suspicion. The pain and wounds in the hearts of those who suffered will take months and years to heal. This is indeed a great challenge to humanity, but it will subside with God’s help. Problems are many and will continue to pester humankind, hence, collective understanding is the need of the hour. We, therefore, need good, qualified and selfless leaders who will, without fear or favour, restore the old glory of our society and state. Conclusively, the general public too should extend all possible assistance to them.
(The author is the Editor at The Meghalayan)