Demise of Dr. Jayanta Madhab: Letters to the Editor

Demise of Dr. Jayanta Madhab

It is a great loss for us that renowned economist of Assam, Dr. Jayanta Madhab, who earned his doctorate degree in financial management from London School of Economics and the founder chairman of North Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi) passed away. He also served as the financial adviser to the Calcutta Metropolitan Development Corporation, director at the Asian Development Bank, the economic adviser to the Assam government from 2003-2009. He played a significant role in the field of skill development in Assam. Dr. Madhab had a deep understanding of the core issues of Assam and his death is an irreparable loss to the State.

Rupak G. Duarah,

Guwahati.

Second marriage after religion change must not be allowed

There have been cases including amongst celebrities and politicians where new-to-be wed couple joined Islam symbolically for a day for having a second wife, because first wife refused to sign divorce papers. This is nothing but cruelty to the first wife who thereafter remains totally isolated and neglected for rest of the like. A legislation must be passed so that no person having adopted Islam may be allowed to have a second wife. Rather India should follow those Islamic countries by allowing only one wife even for Muslims.

There have been cases including even hi-fi politicians and celebrities where husband gets married to a second wife by somehow managing divorce papers signed from an illiterate first wife who usually keeps worshipping the husband as a life-time partner till death being totally unaware of her being officially divorced because of her being illiterate. This is again cruelty to such isolated and ignored first wife. Necessary steps should be taken to stop such menace by all means including social and political boycott of those responsible for inhumanity and cruelty to their first wives. Unfortunately, such persons including husbands and second wives are given undue respect even in political circles and at state level.

The National Commission for Women should take initiative in persuading the Central government for taking all necessary steps to prevent injustice to first wives by having second wives only for sake of love and pleasure. It must be ensured that such neglected and ignored first wives may get equal rights and share in property of deceased husbands.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal,

Delhi.

Rooting for Trump

The presidential election in the USA is nearing and both the parties Republican and Democrats are trying their best to woo the voters. United States electoral politics has been dominated by the above two mentioned parties. The elections in the land of founders of democracy holds significance as it has been seen that Republican party in the past has never favoured India and in fact favoured our arch rival Pakistan. Just turning a few pages of history records from the days of Eisenhower, Nixon, Ronald Regan depicts their favouritism towards Pakistan. It is only the current incumbent Donald Trump from the Republican party who has favoured India over rogue Pakistan. This change of attitude of Trump has certainly benefited our nation. So, if Donald Trump returns to power the Indians would be happy.

Lanu Dutta Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Baba ka Dhaba is everywhere

Life of Kanta Prasad changed overnight after the video of his small stall named 'Baba Ka Dhaba' went viral on social media. After struggling for so many years this is the first time that his stall is flooded with customers. Earlier where he hardly earned around 80 rupees a day, now he is earning a good amount for his livelihood.

But we should also remember that there are thousands of 'Baba ka Dhaba' in our country where people like Kanta Prasad are struggling everyday for their survival. All they want from us is to buy their products which they make with pure love and dedication. So, next time do not forget to buy your tasty food or any of your things from your nearest stall which they sell with immense love not for business but to fulfil their stomach.

Agrati Das,

Guwahati.

New education system of Kerala government

As schools, colleges and other institutions have been closed for a long period due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Kerala Government on October 12 took up a new initiative by introducing digital classrooms in all educational institutions. Further, the government education institutions were provided with laptops and projectors.

This is a good step in this pandemic situation.

I would like to request the Sarbanada Sonowal-led Assam Government to take up similar steps without delay for greater interest of students.

Putul Sarma,

Biswanath Chariali.

Date of birth & other details should be on marriage cards

A District Collector of Bharatpur (Rajasthan) in the year 2012 made it compulsory to print dates of birth on marriage cards, making it mandatory for printing presses to first getting attested birth certificates. Such and other noble ideas should be rather made compulsory all over the country for an effective check on marriage related social evils. An estimated outlay of marriage expenditure mentioning number of guests should also be printed on marriage cards.

List of gifts and cash envelopes received or distributed on the occasions should be submitted to appropriate public authorities within some stipulated time period after marriage functions are over. Even a Supreme Court verdict dated 12.07.2018 asked the Central government to consider making it compulsory for families to disclose wedding expenditure by both sides of the families of bride and groom jointly to the marriage officer concerned. Even a marriage tax of say 10 per cent can be imposed in case expenses cross Rs 5 lakh by one side as was suggested in a private member bill introduced in Lok Sabha in February 2017. It will check in aborting female foeticides which is done in fear of heavy expenses on marriages of girls in our dowry addicted society.

Considering large-scale wastage of food items in marriage celebrations, some legislation like that of Guest Control Order 1960 should be there. Union government should study models of other countries like Pakistan where only soft drinks and beverages are allowed to be served in such functions. Even Afghanistan took measures to curb such mega expenses on marriage celebrations.

Bihar Chief Minister while attending marriages only without dowry, rightly suggested to print on wedding cards if marriage being without dowry. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister in a departure from tradition, organized marriage of his son in daytime without any pomp and show, ornate arrangements, musical bands or feasts requesting guests not to bring gifts. It may be recalled that the then Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dixit pledged to boycott mega budgeted functions. But otherwise marriages in political families in general are ugly show of wealth with leading politicians cutting across party lines attending such lavish marriage functions.

Madhu Agrawal,

Delhi.

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