Streetlights: A concern around TU campus
Through your esteemed daily, I would like to grab the attention of the authorities concerned about the issue of streetlights near and around the campus of Tezpur University. It is a Central University encompassing numerous students from around the country. As the University is located on the outskirts of the city, thus travelling back to the campus becomes a matter of concern, especially for the students once it gets dark. The area is sparsely populated and the absence of streetlights is seen as a safety concern. Thus it is imperative to look into this matter and take appropriate steps as soon as possible to provide the students with a safer environment.
Ananya Mahanta,
Gauhati University.
Rejection and acceptance
Social acceptance or being socially accepted is a vital substance for each person since when the community term came into existence.
Thus, every individual feels the necessity to be accepted being their true selves and doesn't want to be rejected (which is that the opposite of acceptance).
We have a specific need for acceptance by those in our neighbourhood, the immediate authority and people with who we would like to be friends.
Acceptance brings the sense of being treated with respect and afforded status of some kind.
For example, a teacher accepts all of her students irrespective of their level of intelligence within the class.
When there is an acceptance there's a sense of fulfilment within the mind of the respective person.
Exclusion is the opposite of acceptance. The rejection of social acceptance affects children, teenagers and adults alike. It can also affect people of all ages with mental depression because social acceptance determines many choices people make in life.
For the actual sense of acceptance among their peers, children and teenagers do tonnes of things to be accepted among their friends. We generally term this as peer pressure.
Peer pressure determines how they style their hair and decides what clothes they ought to wear. It also determines what they're willing to try to as far as smoking, drinking, swearing and far more, to be accepted by those whose friendship they value or those whom they treat as superior to them.
Adults do several equivalent thing out of the will for the acceptance and approval of their friends in a way to fit into the club.
Social acceptance may be a term that refers to the power to simply accept or to tolerate differences and diversity among people or groups of individuals.
When a community or a new environment accepts a new person regardless of the differences reflects the positive response of the society.
The feeling of exclusion can contribute to tonnes of negative effects. The one that suffers rejection living in a new environment tends to lose mental peace, suffers from anxiety and loneliness which further tends to push that individual into depression.
Exclusion also makes an individual rude and arrogant in personality with time.
However, one can prevent oneself from letting rejection impact themselves in a negative way with acceptance.
It's important to understand the way to deal with rejection. First of all, "We should assume that everybody goes to experience rejection on a semi-regular basis throughout their life," it's impossible to travel through your entire life with everyone being nice to you all the time. Once you are rejected or excluded, the simplest thing is to accept it and find out other sources of friendship or acceptance.
A lot of times, people keep this stuff to themselves because they're embarrassed or they don't think it's that big of a deal. But, our bodies answer rejection like they are doing to physical pain; the pain should be taken seriously, and it's fine to search out support.
When people feel lonely, or when people feel excluded or rejected, these are things they will share, experts suggest. So, open up to each other and create a society of prosperous existence!
Rajashree Das,
Guwahati
Zero-hunger target
Lucky are people who do not have to worry about food with every rising sun. The world produces more than enough food to feed its population but still, some 690 million people have to go to bed with an empty stomach. The report titled "The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World" suggests that due to the recent pandemic-induced lockdowns and containment another 83 to 132 million people might go hungry in 2020 which would take the figure of empty stomachs close to 1 billion. Looking at these figures it will not be wrong to say that the "zero hunger" target of Sustainable Development Goals will not see the light of the day by 2030. For this, we also share the blame because we can see in various marriage receptions, meetings and even in our homes a lot of food is wasted, and we like to stack up food even if we have no plan to eat them. We have to change these attitudes. Nearly 30 per cent of the total food produced in the world goes down the drain. Hunger is also a major driving force of crimes in the world. No one can think anything good on an empty stomach. Needless to say that if the problem of hunger is solved the crime rates would also go down. In the words of Bhupen Hazarika, "Manuhe manuhor babe jodihe okonu navabe vabibo kunenu kua xomoniya," let us all join hands for a well-fed future.
Noopur Baruah,
Tezpur.
Fatherland
Usually, 99% of people call his/her place of birth or the nation the motherland. The only exception is Germany where the Germans call their nation Fatherland. By being an exception in this regard, the Germans still have proved themselves as citizens of one of the leading nations of the world through devastated in the past by two great wars. Not only that the country was divided into two halves by NATO and Soviet Bloc. The Germans are known for their dedication to duty and their devotion to their fatherland sometimes make me think that we too ought to call our motherland fatherland so that we emulate Germans dedication to their fatherland. As far as we are concerned we are lacking in both the qualities due to certain reasons known to all. A nation where citizens cannot sing Vande Mataram in certain parts of their own country naturally doesn't have the right to call their nation the motherland. We may ponder over calling our motherland fatherland.
Dr Ashim Chowdhury,
Guwahati.
Pak upped the ante
Now Pakistan has upped the ante by sending explosive-filled drones to J&K, taking covert warfare to a completely new level. This reprehensible attack has caught our defence forces completely off guard. In this war-like situation, where the enemy is constantly trying to throw shift gears at us, the planners and the government have to be on alert all the time. We are sure our armed forces will come up with an appropriate response to teach our old enemy a lesson in the Balakot surgical strike style.
Chandan Kumar Nath,
Sorbhog.
Maintaining a schedule for students
In this pandemic situation, all children are confined to their homes abiding by the obligations for getting their education through virtual mode. Both the teachers and students are putting their efforts into online classes during their limited slot. It has been a challenge to conduct online classes during this challenging time. Therefore, parents must also play a pivotal role to make this situation encouraging and motivating. They need to set the basic requirements for this...like, arranging proper Internet connectivity, setting up distraction-free spaces, adequate light, creating a suitable timetable etc. If possible, parents must familiarize themselves with the virtual learning platform.
This period of calamity must not be treated as a vacation. It is very important to have the same sleeping schedule when kids were going to school. We must increase the learning capability of children because there will be evaluation too. Education priority should always come first but, maintaining social contact via talking and video chats, children must be allowed to talk with their friends so that they do not feel isolated. Book reading should be encouraged by reducing screen time to avoid eye strain. This way, we should follow a schedule with our kids. However, the power of sticking to a schedule must not be underestimated because it defends us from chaos and whim.
Shikha Gogoi,
Jagiroad, Morigaon.
Will the reshuffle of Ministry bring hope?
The Narendra Modi Government has brought a major change to its ministry by the latest reshuffling. Many new faces have been, including eleven numbers of lady Ministers from the different professions with higher educational qualifications, have been inducted. Five of the newly-included ministers are engineers, six doctors, seven former civil servants, seven Ph D degree holders and 13 from the legal fraternity of different castes, communities and areas. The representation of 5 ministers from the Northeast is great hope for the people of the Northeast. Sarbananda Sonowal, former Chief Minister of Assam, is placed as the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and AYUSH. There has been a lot to do in the sector of shipping and waterways centring the mighty Brahmaputra which we consider as the lifeline of the people of our region. Hope the minister concerned will bring new rays of hope to the people of Assam and the entire Northeast with new initiatives.
Aditya Ankur Nath,
Tezpur.
Population boom
The rapidly growing population is a matter of serious concern for the Governments at the Centre and the states. At the dawn of independence, the population of India was started at 33 crores but now the country's population is set to arguably touch the stunning 140 crore mark. The Centre has already hinted at some action plans to control the limitless size of the population; while the Assam Chief Minister has already taken preliminary steps by holding dialogue with the targeted groups on the need for the small family norm. It is a proven fact that the countries with lesser populations have achieved better living standards except for China with the world's highest population as its citizens are denied individual liberty, free speech and rule of law in the absence of internal democracy. In India's case, an unrestrained population is opposed to sustainable economic growth as the pace of economic progress has been throttled by a burgeoning population. In the modern context, the increasing mechanization of the agriculture sector, technology-enabled MSME enterprises, decreasing land for housing for unlimited population, gradual increase in technology-driven services etc cry out for reducing birth rates. All political parties must cast off their shyness and join hands with the Governments for introducing a firm population plan in the country.
Pannalal Dey,
Guwahati.
Expectations from Kiren Rijiju
A case was registered against a YouTuber Paras Singh who was for allegedly spreading "racial hatred" and the Cyber Crime branch in Itanagar had investigated the matter. This incident took place a few months back on 25th May 2021.
What stands unique and significant here is the aim and long-term objective of the Union Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Kiren Rijiju who addressed the case in a manner that stands exemplary in the history of Indian politics. The YouTuber Paras Singh was explained the socio-cultural as well as geographical information on Arunachal Pradesh, instead of any harsh treatment by the State government. The YouTuber in his conversation with many regional media houses appreciated the love and care he got from the people of Arunachal Pradesh despite hurting the sentiments of the people.
Kiren Rijiju has preceded Ravi Shankar Prasad on 7th July 2021 and is the newly appointed MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE of the country. This can be seen as an opportunity for the Northeastern states to get equal status in the country. We have witnessed that law and order have played important roles in changing the mindset of the people. Thus, the recognition of the Northeast increases with Kiren Rijiju taking over the Law and Justice in the country.
Dr BR Ambedkar focused on equal representation. The battle between the majority and minority in the Indian Geographical scenario finds the Northeast is on the later side. It is highly expected from Kiren Rijiju to be this bridge between the Northeast and the mainland and assure the actual representation that the Northeastern states have always deserved.
Anjali Chandak,
Department of MJMS,
Cotton University.
Rumours Vs COVID vaccines
With due respect, I would like to bring your attention to the fact that misleading information has always been acting as a barrier to the overall betterment of society. Today, when our country is in the middle of a massive vaccination drive, we can see a lot of fake information getting circulated over social media platforms related to Covid vaccines. As a result, the majority of the people in remote areas of Assam are reluctant to take vaccines, which had made our fight against Coronavirus, more complicated. Rumours regarding the safety of the vaccine among those who have been suffering from cancer, diabetes and some other type of diseases widely making rounds in social media. Several misleading information relating to women health like, it is not safe to take vaccines during periods and pregnancy are also misleading the women, especially in rural areas. People tend to believe that they would survive for only two years after taking the vaccine, which is also a rumour that spreading fast in the village areas. It is high time the authority concerned visited remote areas to deliver the right information and to make them aware. Concern citizens should also take the responsibility to educate the people of their respective localities.
Bike Sarmah,
Department of Communication and Journalism, Gauhati University.
Rumour mongers
Lately, it is observed in various social media platforms that some so-called writers, intellectuals and journalists are propagating various misleading information about Covid-19 to gain cheap publicity among a particular section. These worms of society are trying to establish that Covid-19 is a drama and lockdown, mini-lockdown and containment zones are ploys of the government to suppress any form of protests against the government. Incidentally, a few of that dirty brigade have been diagnosed with Covid-19 and had a narrow escape from the jaws of death, but now these anti-nationals masking themselves as educated and civilized ones are spreading various rumours through their writing calling Covid-19 as a hoax. The Cybercrime Department of the Assam Police should act immediately against those keyboard rumour mongers. Just a day back, the Union government has sounded alert for Coronavirus in Northeast India and Kerala. In this situation, we should be extremely careful and follow every inch of instructions of the Health Department but the section has a considerable influence in districts of Dhubri, Barpeta, Hojai, Morigaon, Goalpara, Nagaon can lead to catastrophe. Each day every conscious citizen irrespective of caste, religion is praying in unison to be free from the deadly Covid-19 pandemic. The health workers are working overtime to control the pandemic but these suspected agents of some foreign hand are trying to thwart every effort of those who are fighting hard against the pandemic.
Purabi Miri,
Jakhalabandha.
Local armed force
When the second wave of Covid started, it affected the Urban areas very severely and fewer cases were seen in the rural areas. Gradually, it was noticed that the people of the rural areas were getting heavily infected by this virus, particularly in May and June. Now, the reason behind such a rapid increase of the Covid cases in the rural areas within a short period remains a question for us. Was it the negligence of the people of rural areas, which was the reason behind this issue? Firstly, The proper use of masks, social distancing and other precautions were not maintained by the people of such areas. Secondly, though restrictions were imposed by the government, yet it was not followed by the people of such areas. Again, the flexibility of the local police agencies leads to more freedom for the people and they kept avoiding Covid protocols. The visit of the defence forces to these areas was also less. It was seen that the defence forces in these areas were much more active during the first wave of Covid as compared to the second. We all know, the defence forces are the major warriors during this pandemic. They are truly capable of managing emergency care. Hence, the government needs to send more defence forces to rural areas. By having defence forces on their side, the rural areas can fight better to win over this pandemic.
Jyotirmoy Drama,
Gauhati university.
New Income Tax Act
A new Income Tax Act should replace the six-decades-old Income Tax Act 1961 continuing with too many amendments.
The much-awaited new Income Tax Act should be introduced to replace the six-decades-old Income Tax Act 1961 which is full of patches of amendments. The British legacy of the April-March fiscal year should be changed to the systematic calendar year to be in tune with most countries in the world as per recommendations of the LK Jha committee. All exemptions, including agricultural income, donations and contributions to political parties now need to be abolished altogether with rupees five-lakhs fixed as basic exemption limit. All these exemptions, including on agricultural income are largely misused where the ordinary farmer does not earn more than rupees five lakhs per annum. More than 2,000 political parties are registered with only very few active in politics just to whiten their black income through an exemption to contributions made to or received by political parties.
The highest tax slab of 30-per cent should be restored so that people may find it advantageous to bring complete income to books. Rather a permanent Voluntary Disclosure Scheme should be introduced whereby provision may be there in tax-return to declare at the highest suggested tax rate of 30-per cent, any income without disclosing the source of income.
Subhash Chandra Agrawal,
DELHI