Language paper in APSC: Letters To The Editor

Language paper in APSC

It is with a tint of apprehension and grief that our conscience has been drawn to the latest landmark decision of the Assam Cabinet, in view of the exemption of civil service aspirants from the Barak Valley who have not studied Assamese, Bengali or Bodo language, from appearing in the qualifying language paper in APSC-CEE examination.

However, with much conviction and undeterred spirit of deliverance, our Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was reported by the Economic Times on January 25, 2020 saying- "Assam would introduce a bill where it will be essential that every student would be required to study Assamese in order to get government jobs, needless to say, for Barak valley and Bodo land, it will be Bengali and Bodo respectively."

The aforementioned statement unfortunately appears to run in contradiction to the latest Cabinet decision and subsequent APSC advertisements issued vide No. 58PSC/E-3/2020-21 which provides full relief to aspiring candidates from Barak Valley who did not have Assamese, Bengali and Bodo language in High School Leaving Certificate examinations from appearing for this qualifying language paper.

Although the move may be heralded as a revolutionary step in the direction of inclusive public policy and recognition of cultural and linguistic diversity of Assam, it somewhere takes away from deserving and zealous aspirants belonging to other parts of Assam (who could not study any of the languages mentioned for the qualifying language paper, owing to a plethora of compulsions) the chance to serve their State and nation. These aspirants could be students like myself who were constantly residing outside Assam, owing to their parents' job nature and hence never had the opportunity to study Assamese/Bengali/Bodo as a part of our curriculum. This section may also include some aspirants who despite residing in Assam, studied in schooling institutions where Assamese/Bengali/Bodo were never there as subject courses that could be opted for study. This move would also be extremely unfavorable for a huge population of non-Assamese/Bengali/Bodo speaking citizens who have resided in Assam since time immemorial but neither of the aforementioned languages were ever used for their socialization. Hence, to deem such special cases of aspirants including myself, as unworthy of service to the State, owing to our involuntary incapacity of qualifying language papers which in most cases, was due to no fault of ours, is very much in violation to the egalitarian ethos of India and Assam.

On behalf of such grieving aspirants, I submit my humble appeal to the honourable chairperson of the APSC and our esteemed Cabinet to take into sensitive consideration, such extraordinary cases of candidates, our circumstantial compulsions and our insurmountable dedication towards the cause of serving our homeland, for which we ought to be subjected to relief and exemptions from appearing for the language paper-A, in lines similar to the ones provided to aspirants of Barak Valley.

Nadia Faruque,

(nadia.faruque28@gmail.com)

Timely editorial

Finally the internal rift in the inner circles of the AASU has come to the fore. The premier students' body of the State has always been the flag bearer of the people and also over the years they have maintained their apolitical character, though in recent years same cannot be said about them. It's an open secret that last year's anti-CAA agitation in the State provided a platform to a few of its leaders namely Dipanka Nath and Lurinjyoti Gogoi. The duo's speeches in various anti-CAA rallies changed their apolitical nature. I being a regular reader of your esteemed daily was very impressed with the editorial under the caption 'Consequences of rift in AASU' on 14th October. It was very rightly pointed out about the inactivity of the students' organization in their primary duties. Now, we are all keeping our fingers crossed about the outcome of the AASU's Annual General Meeting (AGM) slated to be held in the oil town of Duliajan in the month of November.

Dr. Ashim Chowdhury

Guwahati.

Critical situation

It is sad to read that the youth who were earning good salary before COVID have to now search for new jobs. What is more disturbing is that most of them have work experience over 10 years. Never even in their dream would they have thought of such a critical situation. The condition of small businessman and shopkeepers is worse. Many of them have been forced to shut down their business establishments and are unable to pay the salaries of their employees. The government will have to make a strategy to help them.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog

Stop misleading

people of Kashmir

The regional parties of Kashmir are trying to mislead the people of Kashmir and demanding the restoration of special status in the Union Territory. It seems to be destructive to Kashmir. The people of Kashmir widely accepted the Centre's decision and happy to be an integral part of the nation. Today, the common people of the country have rejected the politics of hate and politics dividing them. Expect that all leaders of Kashmir must stop misleading the people of Kashmir and turn into mainstream politics, which will boost development, peace, and harmony.

Amit Singh Kushwaha,

Satna (M.P.)

Need for cleanliness

My work place is in Dhula, Darrang district. During my travels I always see piles of rubbish on the side walk of East Mangaldoi, Darrang district.

Through your esteemed daily I would like to bring it to the notice of the authorities concerned about the lack of cleanliness drives. I think both of the authorities concerned and local people also need to be aware of this. Everyone knows that such pollutants pollute the environment. Moreover, honourable Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi is always talking about cleanliness. Everyone should follow his words. Through environmental awareness we must first try to clean up our own villages and towns, only then will his dream of a clean India be realized.

Heramba Nath

Kamrup (Rural)

Timings of webinars

Meetings are often organized to solve various problems of social life. Individuals from various fields are invited to provide solutions and suggestions to solve these problems. It is seen that these meetings/webinars are often held during the day time. As a result, individuals engaged in different professions have to avoid participation despite their willingness. In cases where all sections of society need opinion, such meetings can be organized in the evening or on Sundays and holidays so that willing people can attend the meetings/webinars.

Dr. Buljit Buragohain,

Guwahati .

Tree plantation

It is a good move by the Delhi Government led by Arvind Kejriwal to protect the forest cover. He launched a tree plantation drive. We know that forests are oxygen producing zones. It helps in maintaining ecological balance of a region. From the pollution point of view, it is a welcome move.

Putul Sarma,

Biswanath Chariali.

Lat mandals

The fact that the Lat mandals employed in different Revenue Circle Offices across the State have been taking unfair advantages of the ignorance of most of the people about essential processes in all legal transactions involving land hasn't remained a secret to anyone. There have been news reports from time to time about them of demanding bribe money and accepting the same from people, of being involved in abnormities in land demarcation activities, of issuing several illegal land pattas and dual land pattas of the same plot of land, and illegal activities leading to rampant selling of land illegally. Though many such corrupt Lat mandals have been caught red-handed, corrupt practices of the kind have not stopped yet.

I feel that no public office should in any way be abused for personal benefit and that organizing of workshops, awareness drive, etc. occasionally is the need of the hour. The legal procedures involving land need to be imparted to the residents of every circle in the State through such drives. It will surely go a long way towards curbing the corrupt practices these dishonest Lat mandals are involved in. It can also be done through various social media platforms.

Dipen Gogoi,

Jorhat.