Sudha Kontho's statue at RGU: Letters to the Editor

Sudha Kontho's statue at RGU

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has consented to unveil the statue of Bharat Ratna Late Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and inaugurate Royal Swasthya Seva, Royal Anna Seva and brochure of Royal Aawas Betkuchi on November 12, 2020 in the presence of dignitaries in Royal Global University (RGU) in Guwahati.

Royal Global University's free-of-cost Royal Swasthya Seva (primary health centre) and Royal Anna Seva are the University Social Responsibility (USR) of RGU. The Royal Swasthya Seva Kendra was conceptualized to cater to the primary medical needs of people, free of cost. The centre has a doctor from 9 am – 1 pm who will check patients and treat them with medicine, as applicable. An ambulance is also at the disposal of the centre to take patients for secondary treatment at hospitals in emergency. Royal Anna Seva will feed 100 people daily in Guwahati.

Indrakshi B.,

Guwahati.

Youths in politics

Youths on political landscape is a good sign for our democracy, but the vast knowledge of our country's culture, religions, castes, languages and political maneuverings is a must to succeed in politics. Friends turn foes and vice versa. Just grabbing power won't do much as in this we are liable to lose our ethics. Political discourse is tough. Education is the best tool to fight fanaticism. India needs the youth who will lead it to true tryst with destiny.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog.

Ensure borewell safety

It is a matter of grave concern that a four-year-old boy Prahlad, who fell in a borewell in Niwari district of Madhya Pradesh, eventually lost the battle for life on November 8, despite a relentless rescue operation that lasted 90 hours. These forms of incidents happen in various States frequently and also show big negligence of borewell owners because they leave them open by not fitting the lids on it. Such shortcomings cause many children to lose their lives every year. The authorities concerned must initiate strong action against borewell owners and ensure that every borewell is completely safe for everyone.

Amit Singh Kushwaha,

Satna (M.P.)

Quacks for treatment

I'd like to share a very recent experience of mine and caution people like me, who, though educated, fall prey to the mistake of believing in quacks who promise of curing 100 per cent bone fractures via primitive methods in lieu of large sums of money per sitting which continues till 7 or 8 sittings using herbs.

My husband almost lost his fractured left hand in the treatment and to cure it. We had to cough out a large amount visiting skin specialist and orthopedics amidst this crisis.

We, usually heave a sigh of relief if something can be cured without operation. And that belief led us to a quack. I feel this is a business which abounds in plenty on the outskirts of Guwahati. I became a prey and lost almost 4 weeks in the treatment.

But good sense prevailed at the end and I got an X-ray done and to my utter surprise found that the fracture had not been healed at all. Instead skin infections had already spread. I was discouraged to get an X-ray done earlier.

I admit my foolishness to believe in a quack hoping they have divine powers to heal from within and kept on buying time.

P.P Barua,

Guwahati

Books in police station

It is a well initiative taken recently by the Officer in Charge of Merapani Police Station of Golaghat to establish a park along with a book shelf in the Police Station. The common people, who come to the Police Station would get the facility to read books while taking rest in the park. The Officer in Charge tries to increase the habit of reading books among the general people by establishing such book shelves instead of placing a television set for public entertainment. Such types of noble works are really praiseworthy and exemplary at present time.

Rupak G. Duarah,

Guwahati.

Celebrate a clean Diwali

Diwali is the festival of lights, positivity and happiness. During Diwali people clean and decorate their houses with lights, candles and lamps. Later people burst crackers and enjoy this festival. But bursting crackers on Diwali increases the concentration of dust and pollutants in the air. After bursting, the fine dust particles get settled on the surrounding surfaces which are packed with harmful chemicals. Diwali may be the festival we look forward to all year but for the animals and birds, this is the most painful time of the year. The loud sound of crackers or the smoke in the air makes them scared. This year, the government has appealed to the people not to burst crackers during Diwali citing ecological concerns as it damages the environment and adds to the air pollution and noise pollution. It is the collective responsibility of every human to clean the environment and protect the planet from further environmental degradation. Already we have polluted the environment a lot. So if these kinds of small steps can make the environment better, then why not? Diwali is a festival of happiness, so it's important that everyone should be happy including the animals and birds. It's time to become responsible and make the world safe and beautiful.

Priyanka Nath,

Mirza

Diwali fireworks

The Diwali is a great festival of the Hindu religion from the ancient times. During the festival bursting firecrackers is immense.

However, this year some restrictions have been clamped by the administration due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bursting of crackers produces air pollution and sound pollution which affects the people particularly senior and elderly citizens and children. So, the government's decision is welcomed.

The governments of Delhi and UP and some other States are going to implement the cracker ban. But, Assam government is going to dither the issue probably due to the forthcoming election. Hence, I would like to request the Assam government as well as public not to burst firecrackers this year at least in the interest of COVID-19 effected people and for the sake of air pollution and sound pollution.

Putul Sarma,

Biswanath Chariali

Relief package for self-dependent India

It refers to additional rupees Rs 2.65 lakh crore relief package by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 12.11.2020 towards mission of self-dependent India. But all such relief packages will require fund mobilization by the Central government either through tax dose or deficit financing both of which will result in price rise adversely affecting common people.

The Central government should instead revive public sector Modern Bakeries (on lines of Mother Dairy) to set up big food processing and bakery units in each district of the country for producing packaged food to be served in trains and for mid-day meal scheme feeding 12 crore children in schools. Even airlines can be approached to acquire packaged food to be served in flights apart from sale in open market to make private players reduce prices and provide better quality food products out of competition. Regular complaints of unhygienic food in trains and mid-day meal programme will be eliminated.

Heavy funds required for setting such big public sector units in large numbers can be acquired through long-term low-interest bonds with interest being exempted from income tax. Instead of crossing maximum 30 per cent tax limit as was earlier as per recommendations of Raja Chelliah Committee, those having incomes exceeding more than Rs 30 lakh required to compulsorily invest 20 per cent of income exceeding Rs 30 lakh per annum in these bonds.

Such setting of big units in large numbers in public sector will give profit earning for public exchequer apart from generating huge employment that too near native places of people rather than rushing to big cities in search of employment.

Madhu Agrawal,

Delhi