Flood problem in Assam
Flood is a major problem in Assam. The floods in southern parts of India such as Karnataka, Tamil Nadu are declared as national calamity but people of Assam don't get the flood assistance from the Central government. As India is a democratic country, all the people should be treated equally. So I request the authorities concerned to look into the matter and declare it as a national calamity as early as possible.
Manish Kashyap,
Tezpur
Role of leaders
Sadly, contemporary Indian politics has become increasingly personalized over the years, where majority of the leaders are serving their own or their party's short-term interests rather than the long-term wellbeing of the nation and its people. Since long, the electorate has been vainly yearning for an ethical leadership which upholds constitutional values, promotes democratic institutions, listens to dissenting voices, and seeks cooperation from the Opposition for policy formulation and implementation. The current dispensation should strive to live up to leadership ideals, indulge in course correction by admitting its mistakes and maintain a positive focus on the needs and aspirations of its citizens for politically neutral development, better social transformation and national security.
Chandan Kumar Nath,
Sorbhog.
A big boost to clean energy
PM Narendra Modi has dedicated a 450-km-long Kochi-Mangaluru Natural Gas Pipeline to the nation. He indicated that the pipeline would improve the ease of living in both the States and reduce the expenses of the poor, middle class, and entrepreneurs. This is a laudable move towards 'One Nation, One Gas Grid'. Clean energy is important for a better future. Hope that the gas pipeline will help to improve clean energy access by reducing pollution. The gas-based economy should support India to become a self-reliant country.
Amit Singh Kushwaha,
Satna (M.P.)
Posters of political leaders
On my daily commute to Dhula in Darrang district, where I work, I see large posters of political leaders with their own pictures hanging on the trees and electric posts on both sides of the national highway. Indeed, in psychological language these can be identified as narcissistic characters. Sadness and misfortune hang the hoardings by piercing iron nails on the trees. It is an injustice and a crime to pierce nails on trees in such a ruthless manner and put posters. On the other hand, such acts are also a cause of terror to the environment and nature. In the meanwhile, while driving at night, the hoardings on the side of the road reflect the light of the headlight of the car and cause refraction in the front glass of the car. This results in illusion of the driver and a high probability of an accident. Therefore, posters cause harm to nature as well as human beings. In addition, these posters contribute to the aesthetic extinction of national highways. It's a pity that environmental organizations have not protested in this regard. Moreover, it's not clear why the National Highway Authority of India, Forest and Environment department have not taken any action in this regard. The State and Central governments should enact strong laws against this otherwise there may be danger in the future to man and nature.
Heramba Nath,
Kamrup.
Prayers for Akhil Gogoi
Akhil Gogoi continues to be behind bars. His last plea was also rejected but it is not that it is end of the road. Hopefully, very soon he will come out. Let me clarify that I am not by any stretch of imagination a supporter of Akhil Gogoi. I am well aware of his modus operandi which allegedly is to blackmail an individual or organization. He is also a professional protester who can shift sides depending upon the contract he allegedly signs with the master. The wealth he has allegedly amassed from this profession is enormous but when in front of the camera he comes out as poor krishak. He was very vocal against Tarun Gogoi's government and more particularly against the then Forest Minister Rakibul Hussain. Though it is another story that he signed truce with Rakibul Hussain and in return allegedly got an orchid written in his name in Kaziranga. Still I am praying for his release after seeing his old-aged mother weeping in front of camera when his bail was rejected by the Gauhati High Court. I have certain doubts with the willingness of his comrades to get him free. Already a new party by the name Raijor Dol has been formed and elections are 100 days away and to fight elections the party needs fund. Maybe, the money collected in name of Akhil Gogoi has been diverted to the party's fund. Anything is possible. I pray to Almighty for his early release not for the sake of Assam but for the sake of his ageing mother.
Julie Bhuyan,
Gaurisagar
The Avian Flu
Six States in the country have reported that bird flue - the Avian influenza have been seen in their areas. Kerala, Madhya Pradesh have reported death of birds due to the bird's flue. As reported in your daily, the birds and poultry are in close surveillance of the department concerned of Government of Assam. The Director of Veterinary department has stated that the Assam government has been requested to ban import of chicken and poultry from the western States. We would like to request the Government and the GMC in particular to ban at least for a fortnight the sale of chicken, meat etc in roadsides. Chicken poultry meat etc may be allowed to be sold in the designated markets so as to control the flu and its effect.
Bikash Barpujari,
Guwahati.
Great opportunity for rejected ones
The two powerful parties, the Congress and the BJP have declared that many new faces will be projected in the coming elections. BJP president Ranjeet Kumar Dass has said many sitting MLAs with poor performance would be denied party tickets and likewise Congress too is contemplating on showing the door to incompetent MLAs. Now where will these rejected bunch of leaders go? Thanks to formation of so many regional parties they have realistic chance of getting another shot for becoming MLAs. The only thing they need to do is to criticize their respective former parties hard and come close to the core committee. Kamal Medhi, Jagdish Bhuyan, Mira Borthakur, Dulu Ahmed, Ajanta Neog, Prabindra Deka, Brindaban Goswami (on cards), Atul Bora, Dispur MLA (on cards), etc. By the end of January or at best mid-February the list will be long.
Rajen Bahadur Doloi,
Chariduar, Sonitpur.
Ensure dignity of homemakers
The Supreme Court has made a historic remark in favour of homemakers when it was hearing a compensation claim of a motor accident case. The Court stated that the conception that housewives do not work or do not add economic value to the household is 'problematic' and needs to overcome. The ruling pointed out that according to the 2011 Census, nearly 159.85 million women stated that 'household work' was their main occupation, as compared to only 5.79 million men. The Court said that a homemaker's notional income must be determined by Courts keeping in mind the number of women engaged in this activity, and the value of their efforts, service, and sacrifices. This is a praiseworthy move to ensure social equality and dignity of homemakers. Society should come forward to offer full participation for women in every sector.
Amit Singh Kushwaha,
Satna (M.P.)
Animal cruelty
Everyday, countless dogs, cats, and other animals die and suffer at the hands of people who are supposed to care for and protect them. Physical violence, emotional abuse and life threatening neglect are daily realities for many animals.
Animals are as much part of this world as we are.
Yet, humans think that they are superior to them and dominate them. We all are a part of this nature and giving unequal treatment to them is not justified. Humans trap animals in cages to earn money from visitors. They tie them in steel chains. Their freedom is restricted by humans. On one hand, we humans ask for freedom and on another, we take it away from animals.
In zoos, some children and even adults scream to wake up animals so that they can take their photos. Humans even go ahead and kill them, not only for food but also for fun. Some hunters kill animals just for fun. These are some reasons for extinction of some species.
A few months ago if we recall, reports surfaced that humans ate bat which led to the transmission of coronavirus. However, it has not yet been proved.
Let's prevent cruelty to animals by being responsible pet owners. Teaching children to have respect for animals will help them when they grow up to become the next generation of advocates for animals.
Animals have the right to live without fear or pain, and we have a responsibility to step in if their rights are hampered.
Pinaki Goswami,
Mirza .
Education system
It hardly needs a mention that our current education system is grappled with several inherent issues, and is hence removed from real life. A few will deny that our education system is still having the features what colonial educators built in. It is too exam-centric and marks still continue to play the most important card in deciding on the future of children. It hardly focuses on classroom participation by a student, projects, communication and leadership skills and extracurricular activities. Rather, it focuses more on the evaluation of a three-hour examination. Moreover, the Government has not taken the baton in its hands so far in order to make the students move away from rote learning. The worst part of our education system is that it doesn't allow students to mix and match subjects in school and college. We are surviving in a system where science stream topples the stream hierarchy. A differentiation is created between subjects instead of pushing the students to pursue the subjects they like. Subjects like languages, communication, arts, etc. which are not considered high-profile subjects are often looked down upon. Hence, a student gets typecast for life.
Since education is very crucial to shape our lives, students must be taught in depth about the morals of life and inculcated with humanistic values as well. They should be taught that life is much beyond money and success is not measured in money.
Dipen Gogoi,
Teok, Jorhat.
Rubber production in Northeast
The editorial published in your daily on January 9, 2021 is very educative. The Northeastern States mainly Tripura and Assam should try to take the benefit that will be offered by the Automotive Tyre Association of India. The Association is going to invest Rs. 1,100 crore to undertake rubber plantation in the north-eastern region of the country. The Assam government's Rubber Plantation Board was doing some good work in Karbi Anglong district. As there is scope for rubber plantation in the State, the department concerned should extend all possible help to Automotive Tyre Association of India to come to the State to start the plantation of rubber trees immediately.
The economy of Assam and Tripura can change with the rubber plantation as with the growth of rubber production the ATA may establish some tyre manufacturing units in the States, as demand for automotive tyres are increasing daily and rubber is the only raw material for the same.
Bikash Barpujari,
Guwahati.
Sense of invincibility
The nation may be hurting toward disaster, without consensus of the majority of the citizens on the ground. Farm reforms have not been accepted by farmers whom they were meant to serve. The agitation is coming to a boil. The protesters have peacefully borne the brunt of the State's force. Nearly 40 persons have lost their lives in the bitter cold, yet the Government is unable to find a via media to resolve the issue. There is a momentum growing in the minds of the people that the party in power is bent upon showing a sense of invincibility. This is not the correct approach in a democracy. The farm policies should be discussed at greater length with all parties and farmers unions, and put forward for debate in the next sessions of both Houses.
Chandan Kumar Nath
Sorbhog
Bird flu during the pandemic
The whole country is under the influence of COVID-19. In the midst of this, bird flu suddenly appeared like a comet. Seven States of the country have already started recording cases of bird flu. A large number of deaths of chickens, crows and migratory birds have been reported. Most worryingly, this bird flu is even more terrifying than the corona. This virus is much more marked than COVID-19. The relevant question is what is bird flu? This is actually a type of avian (bird) influenza (flu) virus. This virus is found naturally in wild birds. The virus can be spread to ducks, chickens or any other animal. The virus can be transmitted from one hen to another or any other animal. Many birds can be killed by bird flu, and even birds can be infected with the virus. Although avian flu is not commonly transmitted to humans, it has been sporadically transmitted to humans. Corona has already killed 1.864 million people worldwide. Corona currently has a 3 per cent mortality rate, compared to 60 per cent for bird flu. This means that the bird flu is more dangerous or deadly than the coronavirus. Bird flu has a 20 per cent higher mortality rate than coronavirus, and the human body can show symptoms within 2 to 8 days of being infected with bird flu. What are the symptoms of bird flu that we need to know, the main symptoms of which are fever, cold-cough, headache. It also causes swelling of the throat, muscle aches, stomach problems, eye infections etc. Therefore, as soon as the symptoms of such a disease appear in the body, it is necessary to seek the advice and treatment of a specialist doctor. Allopathic treatment should be taken keeping in view the severity of the disease. Which everyone should understand.
Heramba Nath,
Kamrup
Lacking etiquette
Gone are the days with people like Dinesh Goswami, Sarat Sinha, Bimala Chaliha, Hiteswar Saikia and a few more take on their political opponents in a dignified way. The way they counter the allegations or criticisms levelled against them by not using any unparliamentary words. Even they would not call their critics by their names. In the present context those etiquette are completely missing from the present day politicians, of course barring a few who still follow the decorum. Most of the leaders of recently formed anchalik parties namely Raijor Dol and AJP don't have even one per cent etiquettes. It is of course not appropriate to call them leaders. When they are surrounded by the bunch of media persons they speak like roadside ruffians. Shrinkol Chaliha, Lurinjyoti Gogoi, Dhajya Konwar, Rekibuddin Ahmed are some of the present day politicians who lack basic civility. The words they use in criticizing Prime Minister, Chief Minister, senior leaders, leader of Opposition is of the lowest order. These people even don't hesitate or feel ashamed to do mimicry of their opponents. They assume that using foul language would take them close to public but fact is that they stink. It is my humble request to top brass of Raijor Dol and AJP to appoint responsible and well mannered spokespersons and also refrain clowns like Shrinkol Chaliha and other similar clowns to speak before media. The core teams of both the parties should realize that they are fighting against a giant and powerful BJP which has a strong report card to their credit in terms of achievement. Letting public like Shrinkol Chaliha, Dhajya Konwar, and others to bark rubbish would hamper their party's image.
Chotu Nath Boro
Baghbor.