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No Fear No Favour

Delhi Golf Course Club Shunted Out Meghalaya Woman For Looking Like A ‘Maid’

It seems that traditional dresses are nowadays “Garbage”. Wearing them makes one look like a “Maid” or someone who is “Illiterate”. How the country functions nowadays God only knows! A case has come to light where a governess from Meghalaya was allegedly shunted out of Delhi Golf Club for “looking like a maid”.

Tailin Lyngdoh, who was wearing a Jainsem, a traditional dress worn by the indigenous Khasi women in her state, was told by club officials that she needed to vacate the place as she looked like a “dustbin”

On Sunday, Ms. Lyngdoh had gone to the Club along with her employer Nivedita Barthakur after they were invited for lunch by a member of the club. But, 15-20 minutes into the lunch, two Club officials asked Ms Lyngdoh to leave the table saying that the dress she had donned on was a “maid’s uniform” and also allegedly hurled racial abuse at her.

“I enquired the reason. They told me that the dress (Jainsem) I was wearing was a maid’s uniform. They even said that I look like a dustbin,” said a visibly upset Lyngdoh, who hails from Meghalaya’s Langtor village in Mairaing Civil Sub-Division.

“I have travelled almost all over the world and several parts of India and eaten food in the best hotels and clubs. But no one has hurled abuses on me or commented on my dress.”

On the other hand, Delhi Golf Club President Siddharth Shriram says that he has no knowledge of this incident and has received no such complaint.

On further enquiry, the doubt about this dress which makes one look like a “maid” came into light. “The attire comprises of two pieces of fabrics which are either tied or pinned at the shoulders and is worn either below the knee or ankle length. The
Jainsem is generally worn with a blouse and a petticoat underneath,” said Meghalaya’s leading designer Daniel Syiem, who has showcased ethnic apparel in global fashion hubs like New York, London and Rome.

Ms Barthakur, who is an entrepreneur and advisor to the Assam government, said that they had a lunch invitation from her friend. She furthermore said that the two Club officials who told Ms. Lyngdoh to leave were Ajit Pal and Sumita Thakur.

“I am astounded over the Delhi Golf Club episode. It was a bitter experience for me and Nivedita and everyone out there. You cannot judge a person by what she wears and call someone a dustbin,” Ms Lyngdoh added.

Ms Barthakur said that they will take legal action against the Clun officials.

“I have started consulting my lawyer. I will also take it up with Kiren Rijiju (Minister of State for Home) and Conrad Sangma (Lok Sabha member from Meghalaya),” she said.

By: Anamika Bhaumik

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