Third-wave of COVID-19: Letters to The Editor

The second wave of COVID-19 has already claimed the lives of many people. After fighting for nearly two months, the condition of the State, as well as the country, is quite stable now. The citizens have worked smartly in reducing the number of cases every day. But the devastating news is the country again needs to be prepared for the third wave of COVID-19. State Health Minister Keshab Mahanta on June 20 told that the State is all set to face the consequences of the third wave of the COVID-19. There are pediatric ICUs in some hospitals. But the period between the end of the second wave and the coming of the third wave is very critical and sensitive. As prevention is better than cure, this time the government should be alert enough not to let mass gatherings happen. Secondly, the children, specifically, should be vaccinated beforehand. So through the column of your esteemed daily, I would like to request the Health Department as well as other authorities concerned to kindly look into the matter.

Aranyani Borah,

Guwahati.

Fifth June

Another World Environment Day on June 5 has gone by with a ritualistic display of planting saplings. Even asymmetrical plantation drive alone without tagging ecological concerns of rivers, natural lakes/wetlands is not good enough for a perfect conservation of the environment. The two major rivers, the Brahmaputra and the Barak along with their tributaries and wetlands are polluted and contaminated as confirmed in a recent report of the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti which mentioned as many as 44 such river stretches in Assam. A sustainable ecosystem mandates inclusive conservation of land, water, forests and wildlife. Some virologists also warned of the occurrence of increasing COVID like pandemic among the humans with animal contact as the faunas are frequently foraying into human settlements as they are losing their pristine habitats due to depleting forest cover. We need clean air, clean water and we also need a cleaner and greener ambience for life sustenance. Both the community awareness and sincere efforts of the State government are essential but the latter which controls agencies and resources has the great responsibility for planning foolproof measures for scientific conservation for a healthy ecosystem.

Pannalal Dey,

Guwahati.

The three greats

On June 20, we remembered Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha on the occasion of Rabha Diwas. I would like to share a small story which happened in the year 1939 at Kashi Hindu University. Bishnu Prasad Rabha who was then 30 years old was invited by Kashi Hindu University to perform a classical dance. Bishnu Prasad Rabha displayed 108 various types of dance form including Tandava Nritya. The programme was witnessed by a huge gathering including many distinguished persons, and amongst them was Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan who was the then Vice-Chancellor of the Kashi Hindu University. Dr Radhakrishnan was very impressed with the performance of Bishnu Prasad Rabha that who conferred on him the title of 'Kalaguru' and also presented him with the gold medal for the best dancer. From that day Bishnu Prasad Rabha became Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha.

Dr Bhupen Hazarika in his formative years was blessed to have the guidance of three greats of Assam namely Kalaguru Bishnu Prasad Rabha, Dr Jyoti Prasad Agarwala and Phani Sarma. With inborn talent and guidance from the greats, Dr Bhupen Hazarika was bound to create something very extraordinary.

Julie Bhuyan,

Gaurisagar.

Bishnu Prasad Rabha

Bishnu Prasad Rabha, a name which is synonymous to Tezpur, the man who has traversed distances that no man ever dared to tread. He is the charioteer of our rich tradition. His death anniversary on June 20 every year is a fervour-filled day for the people of Assam. His final resting place in Gereki in Tezpur is in a precarious situation that pains the lovers of the great artiste. Many promises were made by people in power for its betterment but nothing can be seen. Colouring the boundary walls every year on June 20 is not sufficient. The site is devoid of proper lights which becomes difficult for visitors at night as the area is on the outskirts of the city which gets spooky after sundown. The site is also troubled by flood as it is just 50 metres away from the mighty Brahmaputra. Now as his son is chosen by the people as a member of the Legislative Assembly from Tezpur we can hope that the site will get a new lease of life. As the site overlooks the mighty Brahmaputra a watch tower also can be put up inside the premises which would attract more visitors to the site. Only naming Tezpur, the cultural capital of Assam is not enough. We have to give due respect to the people who earned Tezpur this title.

Noopur Baruah,

Tezpur.

Released on bail

A few days back Debangana Kalita, a research student from JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University) was granted interim bail and has been released from Tihar Jail. JNU has become a breeding ground for some anti-nationals. The infamous 'Tukre Tukre' gang who worships terrorist Afzal Guru was born on the JNU campus. A university which is having the dubious distinction of producing traitors and deceivers cannot be a research centre of excellence at the cost of taxpayers' money. Products of any educational institution should be an asset to the nation, not a threat to the nation. Kalita was also arrested for inciting violence during the ugly Delhi riots. Now that she is back in her home state, she can reignite the anti-CAA movement in the State along with Lurinjyoti Gogoi, Hiren Gohain and a company that have been outrightly rejected by the sons and daughters of this soil.

I challenge Debangana Kalita and her team to sing the national anthem with their head held high and hands on their heart.

Dr Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Good decision

The CBSE's declaration of the evaluation criteria for class XII is a judicious step as it has removed the uncertainty for lakhs of students and their parents. Now it is up to the schools to prepare the results as per the CBSE guidelines at the earliest so that these students do not suffer any more and can get admission to institutions of higher education without further delay, especially those who wish to go abroad for higher studies.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog.