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Great Indian warriors
The Sikhs, Jats, Rajputs and Marathas are the people who are regarded as the true warriors and sentinels of Bharat since its inception. They were the first to have faced the invaders of Bharat- starting from the Great Alexander to Babar. But of late, due to some dirty political shenanigans, they seem to have lost their ancient reputation for valour and patriotism. Our own Lachit Barphukan’s name was not enlisted along with these greats due to laxity on the part of the then governments and our historians. Anyway, thanks to the present government, the name of Bir Lachit Barphukan, who was a great warrior as well patriot, has become a part of the nation’s history.
Of late, due to some petty political reasons, the above- mentioned four great warrior tribes, who produced heroes like Shivaji, Rana Pratap Singh, Ranjit Singh, Rani Jhansi, have started producing the likes of Bhinderwala, Uddhav Thackarey, Sanjay Raut etc., who have totally disgraced their ancestors. Along with Bir Lachit, the great individuals like Gopinath Bordoloi and Bhupen Hazarika have also become a household name in Bharat, even though posthumously, mainly due to the present government’s efforts.
Lanu Dutt Chowdhury,
Guwahati.
Bhupen Hazarika and FM radio stations
I thank the Editor of your esteemed daily, and D Bhutia, the writer, for raising an important issue about the poor FM radio services by private operators, through a Letter to the Editor, titled “Bhupen Hazarika and FM radio stations” published in the Sentinel on 9th November, 2023. The content aired by private FM radio operators in this part of the region is much below the desired level. FM radio stations are supposed to cater to the requirements of local tastes and needs, and these vary from place to place. That is why radio has bounced back, and listeners have started to tune in to FM stations for music, discussions, deliberations, interviews, podcasts, commentaries, entertainment, etc. Apparently, the local FM radio stations are just a tiny part of the large all-India networks (Red FM and Big FM are examples) with the main objective of revenue generation through advertisements. Apart from Hindi and English, many advertisements are in non-local languages. Creative content is missing, and the formats too are imported, with no respect for local tastes and culture. We urge the managements and content creators of local FM radio stations to think afresh on airing content that satisfies the requirements of the people of Assam and this part of India.
Amar Bhuyan,
Nagaon
Sex education & Obscenity
A recent statement by a senior- most politician of Bharat, the Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, has created a storm in the entire political circle of the country. His comment centered around a description or advice on how to technically tackle physical union of male and female without reproduction. Obviously this is a part of sex education. But the tenor and tone of his speech cannot be considered as sex education. The CM, in a very light moment or frivolous manner, expressed this on the floor of both houses of Bihar. Many respected representatives burst out laughing. Subsequently, many realized the gaffe and felt embarrassment in front of the entire country. Some members of the ruling coalition, including Bihar deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, defended the CM's statement to be a part of sex education. But the CM must have realized his mistake in using double meaning words and apologized.
Naturally, the opposition did not let the matter rest so easily, for gaining political mileage. Let's keep politics aside. Birth control is a prime necessity for a populous country like Bharat. So the knowledge of human reproduction system is essential for youngsters to curb population. It's a universal truth; living beings born out of sex. Contraceptive materials are openly distributed in the West. People of Bharat are still hesitant in using artificial birth control.
Finally, natural birth control is the best available option for everyone without any side- effect. But biological knowledge is required to achieve this. More importantly, people have to genuinely learn practical sexual skills.
Arup Saikia
(arupsaikia07@gmail.com)
MIME Festival & poor response of Guwahatians
The 7th National MIME Festival was organized recently in the evening hours from 4th to 6th November 2023 at B Borooah College, Guwahati. This was an initiative of renowned mime artist Moinul Hoque and his MIME Academy. Several artists and troupes from West Bengal, Manipur, Tripura and Mumbai, as also local artists and troupes, among others, displayed their excellent skills and art during this three-day long festival. The themes covered were wide ranging, touching, and were exceptional. Those who watched the shows were mesmerized by the performances.
However, it was disappointing to see the lack of response from Guwahatians for this event, though the entry to the festival was free. The number of people who watched the shows was quite less and this does reflect the lack of taste of Guwahatians for art, culture and literature. Artists and performers need encouragement, and the least the people of Guwahati can do is to throng such events in large numbers, whenever such events are held in Guwahati.
D Bhutia,
Zoo Road, Guwahati
Urgent Appeal for Improved City Bus Services
The scarcity of city buses has led to overcrowded and uncomfortable journeys, making commuting a daily struggle for many citizens. This situation not only affects the daily routines but also contributes to increased traffic congestion and environmental issues. I urge the authorities to thoroughly investigate and address the root causes of this problem. It is crucial that we enhance the frequency and reliability of city bus services to improve the overall quality of life for residents.
I believe that by investing in and expanding the public transportation system, we can alleviate the current difficulties faced by the public. A robust and efficient city bus network will not only ease individual commutes but also contribute to a more sustainable and environment- friendly urban environment.
Krishna Boro
Tihu
Plea for a safe Diwali
Every year, we waste crores of rupees on bursting crackers during Diwali. It would be better if we would use the same money for the uplift of the poor. There are millions of people all over the world who cannot even have two square meals a day. Instead of spending money on bursting crackers, which goes up in smoke, we should donate the money to an orphanage or a home for the aged. At least those who are abandoned by parents or left there by their ungrateful children will feel happy.
On the other hand, firecrackers create a lot of noise pollution and cause a lot of distress to animals and birds. We should avoid them if possible, or localize their use in a community to an open field. We should also clear up the mess once the festivities get over.
The light of Diwali should be within us. It should symbolize the personal relationship between God and our families. Let the light of Diwali penetrate inward, for only then will it have a lasting benefit. A piece of cotton soaked in ghee and lit with a pure heart, a conscious mind and a desire to be free from ignorance is far brighter than a thousand expensive electric bulbs or earthen lamps. A cracker-free Diwali will save the lives of many people. Hence, I would request my fellow citizens to celebrate Diwali without harming the environment.
Jubel D'Cruz,
Dombivili, Mumbai