Letters to The Editor

The 'Senior Citizen Santha' of Maligaon, were pleasantly surprised by the cover page interview of Jaideep Saikia on February 28, 2021 in the 'Melange'. Such a personality deserves rich recognition from our State and society. We wish to appeal through your esteemed newspaper that Jaideep Saikia's inimitable and selfless contributions be brought to the limelight. He should be publicly recognized for his untiring efforts. We congratulate The Sentinel for taking this important step.

Anil Kr Choudhury,

Guwahati.

Vaccination

The COVID vaccination strategy is making a welcome shift with greater choices. Now, senior citizens and those with co-morbidity can hope to get the anti-COVID vaccine jabs at private centres at a fixed price. The challenge now is to ensure that the new beneficiaries utilize this facility at the vaccination sites. More people having their choices of the vaccine will provide the much needed fillip to the vaccination drive.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog.

Child marriage victim

Apropos the thought-provoking news report, 'Girl knocks Court's doors after tolerating torture of child marriage for 12 years' (The Sentinel, March 2, 2021), I want to applaud the brave 18-year-old girl, Mansi Gurjar, who was married off forcefully at the tender age of seven — the carefree age of playing with dolls. It is very inspiring to know that this young girl of village Palandi (located at Bhilwara district in Rajasthan) has, ultimately, raised her voice against the marital injustice being meted to her for 12 years and went to the 'Family Court' of Bhilwara against her 'so-called 'husband' and in-laws, with the good support and guidance of Dr Kriti Bharti, Managing Trustee and Rehabilitation Psychologist of Sarathi Trust, Jodhpur, so as to gain her desired freedom from the shackles of the illegal child marriage.

This is the favourable result that education has brought about on the innocent girl who suffered torturous moments in her life all these years. She deserves all praise and support for daring to stand against all inhumanity and social injustice.

Jayanta Topadar,

Dhemaji.

Brazen hypocrisy

We remember the Asom and Asomiya-loving artiste community protesting against the controversial CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act). The likes of Zubeen Garg, Ajay Phulan, Babu, Barasharani Bishoya, Bipin Chaudang, Jatin Bora, Manas Robin among others led the protest against CAA in the State. With the passing of time and also due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the protests died down. Subsequently after normalization of the situation, those 'Assam-loving artistes' joined either the ruling or the Opposition political parties and the anti-CAA agitation lost its wings. Reflection of the mindset of such artistes was very evident and their motives have been exposed. What a brazen display of hypocrisy. In future the so-called artistes or cinestars won't be able to fool us.

Dr. Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Drug menace in Mangaldai

The menace of drugs has spread to different parts of Assam. Everyday in different parts of Assam, reports of drug dealers and seizures of narcotics are being seen in daily newspapers or on television. Most recently, Guwahati metropolis as well as small towns have become drug depots. For example, Mangaldai, the only city in Darrang district, is now a hotspot of drug dealers. Taking advantage of the weakness of the local administration, life-threatening drug cartels have sprung up in various parts of Mangaldai. This is not a good sign for a country or a State. It is unfortunate that the city of Mangaldai, which is lagging behind in terms of floods, arsenic-contaminated water and various other problems, has turned into a drug transaction centre. Already, the overuse of drugs has led to an increase in various forms of anti-social activities in Mangaldai and other cities in the State. On the other hand, many young people have died prematurely due to this meance. Drug abuse will do a lot of damage to social life. If the government and the administration do not take strict action, the youths will soon become crippled.

Heramba Nath,

Kamrup.

Unapproved courses

The GUIDOL (Gauhati University Institute of Distance & Open Learning) had cheated thousands of students by imparting courses which were not approved by the UGC. The GUIDOL had been playing with the future of more than 73,000 students since 2010 to 2017.

According to the GUIDOL, degrees of unapproved courses are invalid for Central Government jobs but valid for State government jobs, and higher education. This statement is doubtful, because how can a degree be valid without the approval of the UGC? Finally, former Director of GUIDOL gave a statement that the University offered unapproved courses because students not only aspire for Central government jobs but also for State government jobs, private-sector jobs, and higher education. If they are so much concerned about students' life then why is not everything mentioned officially and why did they file false affidavits statting that that they do not offer any unapproved courses. These posers point to the existence of corruption in the institute.

In spite of being a government institute, it is not trustworthy. The government is not taking appropriate action in this issue, and is playing a 'blame-game' without considering the career of its students. My suggestion is that, at first, at least the UGC approval should be obtained for the sake of students' future. Punishment can be given later to the culprits.

Jacinth Kahmei,

jacinth217@gmail.com

Responsible citizens

I would like to draw your attention towards a familiar concern of common people in Guwahati city. The government has already taken some serious initiatives in the city-development process and its beautification. New flyovers are being constructed in different parts of the city, for the common people who had to face massive traffic jams, creating trouble in their daily life. Visionary concern of the government regarding development of the city will help common people in the coming years. New foot over-bridges are already operational for the convenience of the common people. The Khanapara foot over-bridge has received appreciations at the national level for showcasing the bamboo culture of Assam. But the fact remains that some citizens are least concerned about public properties. They are misusing the facilities provided by the government. The common people have to act responsible and avoid misusing or causing any type of damage to the public properties provided by the government. I would like to request the administration to take necessary measures in this regard.

Palakshi Devi,

Guwahati