[Assam] Conversions will distort the Mishing tribe

[Rajen & Ajanta Barua]

I think the writer is confused about religion and heritage
If the Mishings are Hindus now, they must have been converted to Hinduism at one time. Somebody must have converted them to Hinduism taking advantage of their ignorance. They have every right to converted to some other religion such Islam, Christianity etc. If they get econmic upliftment because of that the better. 

And what does the writer try to mean by
"I would request my community members to learn from the mistake of our neighbouring states of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram where inspite of
having seperate states, the tribes have lost their identity."

I don't understand how the Khasis, Nagas, Mizos have lost their identities. I think they have better identities now because of their Christianity. 
Rajen Barua.  

From: bg 
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2008 12:36 AM
To: assamnet 
Subject: [Assam] Conversions will distort the Mishing tribe


Conversions will distort the Mishing
tribe<http://www.assamtimes.org/Social/1484.html>

Sir,

It is sad to note that taking the advantage of the poverty of the Mishing
community in Majuli, Dhemaji and Jonai, numerous Mishing families are been
converted to Christianity by opportunistic Christian missionaries. I am an
ordinary citizen and can do nothing. As such I thought of writing this
letter to your newspaper so that I might create an awareness among the
Mishing tribe of Assam.

I would request my community members to learn from the mistake of our
neighbouring states of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram where inspite of
having seperate states, the tribes have lost their identity.

Our own traditions are no way inferior to the rich Vatican City or Pope. The
poverty in Mishing councils is because of the corrupt politicians among us
like Bharat Narah, Bhuban Pegu etc., not our customs, beliefs and rituals.

Missionaries can give us money and English education, but cannot return our
identity when it will be lost by following Christian rituals and alien
traditions in our day-to-day lives.

If religion is lost, heritage is lost. When heritage is lost, identity is
lost.

It is time influential socio-cultural organizations of the Mishings, our
students' union and Mahila samitis launch rigorous awareness drive among the
gullible Mishings or the Mishings will go 'missing' from the cultural map of
Assam.


Yours sincerely,

Rongmon Pegu
Dikhoumukh
Sivasagar
Assam

http://www.assamtimes.org/Social/1484.html
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