Jackfruit and immunity: Letters to The Editor

Jackfruit, the largest tree fruit in the world has a love-hate kind of relationship with people. It is not a comfortable fruit to have. One has to oil one's palms with mustard oil if one does not want to get their palms sticky with jackfruit juices. Apart from all the cons, jackfruit is beneficial to people suffering from constipation, high blood pressure, diabetes, skin problems etc. It is also rich in antioxidants and may help prevent deadly diseases like cancer. Many people do not like to have jackfruit as eating it is a cumbersome process. Jackfruit pancakes can be a solution to this cumbersome process and it is also a wonderful breakfast option. We can mix mashed jackfruit with rice flour or oats to make delicious pancakes. At a time when immunity is tested every day, jackfruit can be our shield.

Noopur Baruah,

Tezpur.

Was he ill?

Akhil Gogoi is finally let off by the NIA Court and we the common people have nothing to opine. As a responsible citizen, I have full trust in democracy and the judiciary. But I am confused. Was Akhil Gogoi ill? For the last so many months he was occupying a cabin in the GMCH stating that he was unwell, but I got shocked when he immediately left GMCH after the Court's verdict. The Court ordered his release from jail and there was no mention of his release from the hospital. When to discharge him is the prerogative of the attending doctors of the GMCH. The ways Akhil Gogoi packed his bags and left the hospital suggest that 'he was faking to be ill'. During the pandemic period when people are desperately looking for a bed in the hospital for their near and dear ones he blocked a cabin in the GMCH by 'faking ill'. This is sheer misuse of state exchequer, infrastructure and resources. All his medical records should be made public. Nobody is clear of Akhil Gogoi's disease but still, he stayed in a government hospital wasting public money. Will the hospital authorities be it government or private allow a patient to walk out of the hospital at his/her sweet will? Even if one patient decides to seek release from the hospital he/she has to inform the authorities concerned and the hospital authorities release the patient with a note 'Discharge against advice'.

Purabi Miri,

Jakhalabandha.

Bihu and floods

Our pride Bihu comes in three different seasons bringing joy and happiness among us. Likewise, annual floods which are round the corner comes in a particular season causing massive devastation and untold miseries to the people. Flood is an annual natural disaster which has been going on since time immemorial yet department concerning with the control of floods have failed to bring out any remedy. Crores and crores of public money have been spent but still, there is no succour to the helpless people. Huang He River which was considered as the sorrow of China due to massive devastation caused by it during the floods has now been controlled thanks to the scientific methods undertaken by their government. Now that river has become the asset of the Red Dragon. Can we expect the same from the mighty Brahmaputra in the future through proper planning and execution? Or Water Resources and Flood Control Department will continue to be milch cows for ministers, MLAs, engineers and contractors?

Dr Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Free vaccination drive

Through your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of the authorities concerned towards the issues being faced by the people regarding the free vaccination drive for adults that started in Assam from June 21, 2021. As promised, it started on a great note with an initiative to get people vaccinated without any online procedures. But with time, deficiency in vaccines is resulting in a degrading situation in certain districts. Even after such vaccination drives, certain districts are declared as 'containment zones'. Thus, it is imperative to look into these matters and take appropriate steps to create an immune environment.

Ananya Mahanta,

Guwahati.

Third-wave

Given the third wave of the COVID-19, some States have stated that unlocking in a big way to thwart the third wave is also a challenge.

The best long-term solution against COVID, of course, is mass vaccination, but there is a massive mismatch between demand and supply of vaccines at the moment. Given the current pace of vaccination, the only immediate solution is to rigorously follow advice on COVID-appropriate behaviour.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog.

Lawbreaker to lawmaker

Finally, the famous lawbreaker Akhil Gogoi is out of jail (in fact he has been staying in GMCH's deluxe cabin for many months on fake health issues) and this time he walks out as a lawmaker who got elected from the Sivasagar constituency. The founder president of KMSS and self-proclaimed messiah of peasants (though no way connected with the farming or with the indigenous farmers) is seen firing venoms at the government and also declaring himself as the next Chief Minister of Assam in 2026. Akhil Gogoi is always ready to be at the service of illegal encroachers who have occupied Xatra, forest, VGR, PGR and government land. His trademark style of functioning by slinging bags over his shoulders and wearing slippers makes people believe that he is the real friend of the poor. Now that he has become the elected representative from Sivasagar, only time will tell how he fits into the role of a lawmaker from his natural 'lawbreaking' mode.

Joel Goyari,

Tangla.

Boosting retail businesses

The Central government's decision to classify retail and wholesale businesses as Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) appears to be beneficial to all parties involved. The amended guidelines will boost 2.5 million retail and wholesale organizations and would allow them to register as MSMEs on the Udyam Registration Portal. This also contributes to the increase of the RBI's priority sector lending criteria. Manufacturing and service firms were previously included in the existing definition of MSMEs, but retail and wholesale commerce were not. We hope that the decision would help the retail and wholesale sectors, allowing them to create more jobs across the country by providing customers with standard services and commodities.

Amit Singh Kushwaha,

Satna (M.P.)