Smt. Amethysl Lynda Lapang (64yrs) is the editor of "U Peitngor" a daily newspaper at Meghalaya. She also has the distinction of being the first lady editor from Meghalaya. She is serving as president of All Khasis Newspaper Association since 1998. She is the State president of Indian Federation of Small and medium newspaper, New Delhi. Being a social activist she takes an active part in Synjak Ki Longkmie (Mothers association) and serves as a secretary of Jaikw- pdeng. She is also an executive member of the local durbar. She is the leader of women group on Church Organization. Mr. D. D.Lapang (Dy. C.M. of Meghalaya ) and Mrs. Lynda Lapang have only one surviving child, a son, their only daughter having expired. Mrs. Lapang has this to say about herself and her husband : "I believe, I have influenced my husband's life as much as he has influenced mine. In any man's life, besides his mother, a wife has a major role in shaping his life. This is in the form of support and encouragement. I supported my husband in whatever he does, which might have been different had he chosen another woman as his life partner. Besides that, as a mother, I have the respect, love, and affection of all my children and grand children". Mrs. Lapang is of the view that all acts of kindness, goodness, tolerance and sacrifice for which men do to their fellow human beings and to all living beings has found an expression in the word 'LOVE'.
"Despite the proclamation of world leaders and men of goodwill for Universal love and brotherhood, there still are reports of murder and killing done in the name of religion, caste and creeds. Atrocities to weaker section, women and children etc. are of daily occurrence. Even family love is no longer to be seen. Divorce rate and broken families are on the increase." She appeals to the people to unite and fight against the menace of selfishness to avert a catastrophe that can fall on the human race sooner than we think. Further, she cautioned that sex is now, no longer confined to bedroom but brought in the open. The result is its abuse and perversity. Criticizing the media and films for publicizing the reports of sex and rapes, she say that it may corrupt impressionable minds. Admitting that sex is no longer a taboo, she feels that young people should have proper sex education to find ways and means to put sex in a rightful position. For this there should be no fear at all. So in order to be free from fear she views that individuals should be vigilant, prepare to sacrifice to see that our freedom is not subverted. She feels that where condition of the oppression and ignorance prevails, hatred takes root.
"There still exist pockets of social and economic oppression and we are unable to impart universal education to our people, particularly in remote and interior villages. These are the breeding grounds of hatred. Unless we address to this aspect, we can't prevent social upheavals and problems of law and order in the country," Mrs. Lynda Lapang said. Regarding Meghalaya she said that industrial development and promotion of tourism is a must for opening a way to development. Infrastructural facilities like communication, transportation, medical health and an education facility is the gateway of industrialization and tourism promotion. Protection and isolation does make the State backward. Mixing with other people will not create any upheavals; rather it would broaden the minds of the people, facilitating growth and prosperity. But it may affect its traditional norms in some ways. however she felt blending of the old and new should be a better way to live.
"Our country is playing a powerful and influential role in the world. Once we solve the problems of poverty, economy and backward classes, there will be tremendous development in various fields of human activities to put India on a high pedestal. The world will witness tremendous changes in the 21st century. Those changes would affect the ways of life."
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