Letters to the Editor: Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav

The Government of India has launched the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate and remember 75 years of independence for India. India is commemorating the illustrious history of its people, culture, and accomplishments during Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. It represents everything forward-thinking about India's socio-cultural, political, and economic identity. On March 12, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially launched the 75-week festival 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' from Sabarmati Ashram to mark the country's 75th anniversary of independence. Thus began a 75-week countdown to our country's 76th Independence Day, which will end one year later on August 15, 2023. Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is dedicated to the Indian people who have not only played a significant role in the country's long evolutionary journey, but also possess the strength and capacity to realise Prime Minister Modi's vision of enacting India 2.0, which is driven by the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat. For every Indian, the 'Tiranga' serves as a symbol of pride in their country. Under the auspices of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Prime Minister launched the heartfelt campaign 'Har Ghar Tiranga' in order to further honour our National Flag. From August 13 to August 15, 2022, we must all fly the flag in our houses to commemorate the historic Har Ghar Tiranga and celebrate the 75th anniversary of India's Independence. We must also encourage others to do the same.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog, Barpeta.

Fitting response

The entire nation is going to celebrate 75th year of independence from August 13 to August 15. Prime Minister Modi has already made a fervent appeal to us to celebrate this auspicious day in a befitting manner by hoisting the Tricolour in every house, which very surprisingly has made some folks very uncomfortable. To add icing on the cake, our athletes in the recently-concluded CWG held at Birmingham are offering a fitting response by their performances to our PM's appeal by proving that east or west our India is the best. His fervent appeal to cheer our athletes in their efforts to bring laurels to the nation is widely lauded by all bona fide Indians except a few diehard compulsive Oppositions who are busy in their party's political agenda and hitting the streets. Nowhere have we seen any Opposition stalwart appreciating our athletes' performances in the CWG by waving our Tiranga. This message goes to likes of Kejriwal, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, father-son duo of Abdullahs etc., in particular.

The nation is in safe hands. Let our Tiranga flutter everywhere. Jai Hind!

Dr Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Rising suicide cases

Suicide cases in Guwahati have gone up by 55 per cent. There were 222 suicide cases in 2013. It is the mid of 2022 and the city has already seen more than 400 suicide cases so far this year. The situation has become all the more alarming due to the global pandemic and is a matter of serious concern. In 2020, the highest rate of suicide cases was recorded in the age group of 30-45 years and in 2021 the cases have increased in the age group of 18-30 years. Loss of jobs due to the pandemic, price hike, financial constraints, unemployment, depression and mental health problems are some of the reasons behind the rise in the number of suicide cases.

It is high time the government prioritized mental health awareness. The challenge lies in making mental health counselling more affordable and approachable. Many people still do not attach much importance to mental health as much as physical health. With the help of psychiatrists and psychologists, the media, too, can play the role of agents of change by writing and talking about mental health awareness more widely.

Most people are unaware of the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017, launched by the Government of India, and The Kiran - India's first mental health toll free helpline. These issues need to be prioritized.

Rimakshi Barman,

Cotton University.

Kargil heroes

India won the Kargil war because of the soldiers who fought fiercely for the future of our nation. It is so heartbreaking that the stories of these bravehearts are being slowly erased. We have to save our history.

India has a legacy regarding Kargil, a tale of extreme bravery and gallantry. Many of our soldiers fought for the peace and prosperity of our people. But today, we seldom find these incredible stories of our real-life heroes in our educational syllabuses.

Jubel D'Cruz,

Mumbai.