Letters to the Editor: Very Alarming

In a recent tragic incident, nine of our bravehearts lost their lives in Bhatinda army camp and in Poonch due to a terrorist attack, which is very alarming for the entire nation. The loss of the life of one Braveheart means the loss of one drop of blood for every patriotic Indian. Because of these brave hearts, we can sleep peacefully and safely.

There is a difference when one Braveheart is martyred in the battle field fighting against a known enemy on the border and when one Braveheart is killed fighting against an internal enemy on our soil. To identify an external enemy is easy, but not so in the case of internal enemies who are now flourishing under some sleeper cells in Pakistan in the guise of secular political forces.

So, my fellow countrymen, let us stand behind our brave hearts.

Dr. Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Caste-based politics

The high-voltage Assembly election in Karnataka will be held on May 10th, and the result will be declared on May 13th. All the political parties are busy with their star campaigners attending election rallies to woo the voters. Very interestingly, we have of late started hearing a word, Lingayat, during election rallies cited by all leaders of the political parties. After some queries, I came to know that the word Lingayat means one particular community in Karnataka that usually plays a decisive role in state politics. So, all the political parties are trying to placate the said community.

I, as an Asomiya, had a high regard for the Kannada people because of their high index of educational qualifications. Hence, I am greatly amused to know that the voters of Karnataka also give importance to caste politics, like in Bihar, where the literacy rate is very poor, instead of developmental politics. So, should I quote what Caesar said, “THOU TOU KANNADAS”?

It happens in India.

Lanu Dutta Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

APSC main exam

The APSC declared the results of the CCE 2022 preliminary examinations on April 12, 2023, and notified on the same day that the main exam will be held in the month of June. This notification is in contravention of its own academic calendar schedule, where it was stated that the mains exam will be held in the months of August/September.CCE being a very tough exam, a justifiable amount of time must be granted to the candidates for preparation. The APSC has amended its rule of holding the exams under the APSC Amendment Rules 2019 and has made several changes to bring it at par with the UPSC. The UPSC follows its academic calendar schedule to the letter, which cannot be seen with the APSC. Now, the candidates have been given only a month’s time to prepare for the exam, which is a derisory amount of time. Now, we request the authorities of APSC to conduct the Mains exam in accordance with the earlier published academic calendar schedule.

A few candidates

Another deadly

virus on the prowl

Another deadly virus called Marbung is on the prowl. Marburg and Ebola viruses are both members of the Filoviridae family (filovirus). Though caused by different viruses, the two diseases are clinically similar. Both diseases are rare and have the capacity to cause outbreaks with high fatality rates.

The illness caused by the Marburg virus begins abruptly, with a high fever, severe headaches, and severe malaise. Muscle aches and pains are a common feature. Symptoms become increasingly severe and can include jaundice, inflammation of the pancreas, severe weight loss, delirium, shock, liver failure, massive haemorrhaging, and multi-organ dysfunction.

Severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea, and vomiting can begin on the third day. Diarrhoea can persist for a week. The appearance of patients at this phase has been described as showing “ghost-like” drawn features, deep-set eyes, expressionless faces, and extreme lethargy. Many patients develop severe hemorrhagic manifestations between 5 and 7 days, and fatal cases usually have some form of bleeding, often from multiple areas. Fresh blood in vomitus and faeces is often accompanied by bleeding from the nose, gums, and vagina.

Spontaneous bleeding at venepuncture sites (where intravenous access is obtained to give fluids or obtain blood samples) can be particularly troublesome. During the severe phase of illness, patients sustain high fevers. Involvement of the central nervous system can result in confusion, irritability, and aggression. Orchitis (inflammation of one or both testicles) has been reported occasionally in the late phase of the disease (15 days).

In fatal cases, death occurs most often between 8 and 9 days after the symptom onset, usually preceded by severe blood loss and shock.

There is no specific treatment for the Marburg virus disease. Supportive hospital therapy should be utilised, which includes balancing the patient’s fluids and electrolytes, maintaining oxygen status and blood pressure, replacing lost blood and clotting factors, and treating any complicating infections.

Jubel D’Cruz,

(jubeldcruz@yahoo.com)

Reduce carbon emissions

Perhaps of all the seasons in the country, the pre-monsoon summer and the temperature variation that is associated with it are the most troublesome. Many cities have touched the forty-degree Celsius mark, and the temperature is hovering around forty and above in some places. Both maximum and minimal temperatures are bound to witness a surge in different cities, which is highly perturbing because a small disparity in temperature can have a huge impact on the living conditions of the people. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the average earth temperature has risen by 0.8 degrees Celsius since 1880. The emission of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide has largely contributed to climate change. The fact that ocean temperatures spike more slowly than land temperatures due to evaporation has resulted in regional temperature variations.

In India, heatwaves are ever increasing, with a reduction in the cold waves, which makes the spiralling heat difficult to control. Air quality and water quality suffer during fluctuations in temperature. Unhygienic water brings in many diseases, and the crippling effects of air pollution are well known. A two-degree variation in temperature may bring many attendant risks.

Electric connection is still a far cry for a considerable chunk of our population, and it is estimated that four percent of India’s population cannot do without air conditioning. Some 75 percent of the population is said to be exposed to a temperature level that can be fatal. The dying of crops due to the sizzling heat and water scarcity add to the woes of our farmers. Infections and diseases lead to absenteeism at work. All this can have a telling effect on our economy, which, anyway, is nothing much to boast about. It is incumbent upon India, which has been at the forefront of the Paris Climate Agreement, to leave no stone unturned to reduce carbon emissions and ensure low carbon production.

Ganapathi Bhat,

(gbhat13@gmail.com)