| SMS
Voting
We all know that a good voice,
perfect knowledge of taal, perfect
pronunciation and the ability
to express the feelings of a
song are some of the major qualities
for a good singer.
But nowadays, another quality
has become important: that of
receiving the highest number
of votes through SMS sent by
his/her fans. Is it a good sign?
Moreover, in Assam, some youth
organizations seek votes from
viewers for their own favourite
contestants. In my opinion,
these youth organizations should
not involve themselves in this
business of SMS voting for singers
participating in singing contests.
After all, as Longfellow said,
‘‘music is the universal
language of mankind’’.
Therefore, music should not
become a matter of vote for
any youth organization. Why
should there be sympathy for
a particular contestant when
all compete equally in the battle
of music?
Sanghamitra Puzari,
Santipur, Jorhat.
Dealing
with Pakistan
The BJP recently demanded the
calling of Pakistan’s
High Commissioner to the Foreign
Ministry to protest that country’s
support to infiltrators trying
to create trouble in Jammu and
Kashmir. It is futile to expect
such gesture from the timid
UPA government.
The present situation in the
Kashmir Valley — even
though the Amarnath land row
has been resolved to a certain
extent — is nothing but
a creation of the UPA government.
The government is blind to ISI
activities in the country.
Take the statement of Foreign
Minister Pranab Mukherji: that
a happy and prosperous Pakistan
is one of India’s dreams.
Would Pakistan ever think so?
Mukherji’s statement is
like feeding milk to a poisonous
snake. Pakistan is historically
known as one of the most treacherous
nations, for which it has failed
to acquire a respectable status
in the world till date.
If ‘secular’ leaders
like Pranab Mukherji are serious
about national security, they
should take a tough stand against
Pakistan — just as Israel
is tough towards neighbouring
Islamic countries.
Since the UPA government is
not serious about the security
of Hindus, the BJP and Sangh
Parivar should volunteer themselves
to protect the Hindus from the
onslaught of jehadi forces.
The situation in J&K will
remain volatile, whatever be
the nature of Pakistan Government,
whether it is run by military
or civilian leaders. Therefore,
India must be on the guard.
There cannot be any compromise
with Pakistan.
Suren Das,
Barpeta.
Mobile
Tower and Health Hazard
Science has already warned us
in strong terms that mobile
phone has adverse effects on
our health for its emission
of electromagnetic radiation
each time we receive a call
signal. Just imagine: if a single
unit of mobile set can cause
a bad effect on our health in
due course of time, what would
be the consequence of bombardment
of signal impulses which lead
to ceaseless emission of electromagnetic
radiation in greater density
by the transmitting towers near
our residences.
Different groups of scientists
in US and Germany have come
up with startling findings that
can deflate our pride in having
our building crowned with mobile
phone towers. Their studies
have established that a person
within 500 meters of the tower
is three times more prone to
cancer than those further away
from the tower. Besides cancer,
other illnesses that may appear
in a few years are fatigue,
cataract, reduced mental concentration
and weak immune system. Children
are more sickness-prone due
to this electromagnetic radiation
than adults. Yes, the noise
— due to mobile phone
talks — is yet another
irritant.
Well, I wonder how nonchalantly
cool our cell phone companies
are — that they keep on
erecting towers by paying a
few thousand rupees per
month to the building owners.
They never bother to take opinion
or permission of the immediate
neighbours whose health is equally
at stake for that towering system.
If I am not wrong, the law must
require the company to formally
obtain the permission of people
residing within the radius of
at least 500 meters prior to
establishment of the tower.
This will be in the interest
of public health.
Salil Gewali,
Upper Mawprem, Shillong-2.
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