Letters to The Editor

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal government's decision to grant financial aid to Naamghars is a welcome step. Probably it is for the first time in post-independence that Naamghars are receiving financial aids. Naamghars are soul of Assam. They are not only places of worship but these places work as meeting place and even as 'local court'. Petty issues between the locals are amicably settled. But a prominent Left ideology believer and so-called intellectual Dr. Hiren Gohain has other opinion. He criticized the State government for allotting funds to Naamghars. According to him, it is wastage of money and he even cited that India being a secular country cannot give any preference to a particular religion. This writer's question is: why were Dr. Hiren Gohain and his followers silent when the Central government spent crores of money in the name of Haj subsidy? Then secularism was not in threat, but now when our pride and our identity i.e Naamghars are getting financial benefits he feels secularism is under threat in India. This person has always betrayed this land and tribe starting from Chinese invasion to Assam Agitation. How come a person of such negative and anti-national mindset is called intellectual?

Chotu Nath Boro,

Baghbor, Barpeta.

Ensure women's health

Assam state-owned Oil India Limited has introduced a community-based scheme 'OIL Shakti' to promote menstrual health and hygiene management among women of vulnerable communities so as to reduce maternal and infant mortality ratios. The scheme will increase the livelihood opportunities as well as the health and hygiene management of women. A comic book based on scientific facts about the stigma associated with menstruation has also been released which would be distributed at schools, colleges, and the community level. This is a worthwhile initiative to provide health and hygiene-related information, and facilities for women. Rural women of India need such efforts to ensure their good health.

Amit Singh Kushwaha,

Satna (MP).

COVID Cases

COVID cases have been declining, which is good news, but what is worrying is the new strain of Coronavirus and passengers from the UK who tested positive in India and are in quarantine now. We need to keep in mind that the pandemic is not yet over. We still need to take all precautions as more lockdown and curfews are not needed. It is better to practice social distancing, wash hands, wear masks and hope for a better 2021.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog.

Finally succeeded

Numerous attempts had been made during the last anti-CAA agitations to project Bangladeshi infiltrators or Miyas as original inhabitants of the State. The few self proclaimed intellectuals always maintained that Bangladesh originated and illegally infiltrated people are sons of the soil. The AASU has always been shouting that the Assamese language became State language only because of the Miya people because they wrote Asomiya as their mother language. Former journalist and now politician Ajit Kumar Bhuyan have always maintained that we need to have a Chief Minister from that community. During the anti-CAA agitations, the people from that community marched shoulder to shoulder with the indigenous people and our student union leaders were seen welcoming them with open arms and even went further to address them as khilonjias. The anti-CAA movement finally succeeded in converting these illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators who have posed a serious threat to the existence of the original people into Bhumiputras. Two days back, we have come to know that one Asom Miya Parishad (heard the name of the organization for the first time) formed its own political party. Surely the dream of the likes of Dr. Hiren Gohain, Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, Lt. Syed Sadullah, Arshad Madani, Akhil Gogoi and Dr. Samujjal Bhattacharya is finally taking shape and soon their wish would be fulfilled.

Julie Bhuyan,

Sivasagar.

The lone ranger

State Assembly polls are just three months away and all the political parties are gearing up by holding rallies across the State and best efforts are being made to woo the voters in their respective favour. In the meantime, many regional parties have popped up through the efforts of retired AASU leaders, a few journalists, thinktanks, and others. Two-time Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, a former AASU leader and one of the founding member of AGP is nowhere to be seen in any electoral rallies of the AGP. Probably he is sidelined by the party or might be that he has some issues with the top leadership of the party. The fact is that he has become lone ranger in the party. In the current scenario when every Tom, Dick and Harry is floating new party one might not be shocked to find that the former Chief Minister has floated another new party.

Dr. Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Lack of opportunities after school

Through the columns of your esteemed daily I would like to highlight the problems faced by students entering college and give suggestions that may help in solving the problem.

Students who pass class 12 face a huge dilemma because there is always uncertainty about getting admission in a college and a course of ones choice. All are aware about the cut-off percentage for admission to various courses is rising every year in renowned colleges thus becoming a nightmare for average scorers.

The inability to get admission into a college of one's choice leads to frustration and deprivation among students. This May also lead to demotivation among students. It is suggested that the Government should open more colleges with vocational stream. Job-oriented vocational courses will cater to the needs of the average scorer thereby increasing the self-esteem. This will ensure a better future for students and would create opportunities for them.

I hope that the authorities concerned become aware of this problem and take decisions to solve it as early as possible.

Manish Kashyap,

Tezpur.

Reasons for population growth

Population growth is worrying the country and it needs to be controlled to reduce the crowd. It's unfortunate that in some uneducated communities, awareness of birth control is still lacking. They need to be made aware of this through education and the law. Polygamy, which is common in some communities, should be banned by law.

However, the Assam government has not made the two-child policy mandatory in the State, though it has adopted legal guidelines that parents with more than two children will not be considered eligible for government service from next year (2021). Which is a positive decision and admirable for the whole country.

Heramba Nath,

Kamrup.

Appeal to police administration

Recently an amount of Rs. 75,000 was fraudulently withdrawn by some unknown persons from my SBI account on July 21, 2020. Recently, a bicycle was stolen from my house. I lodged an FIR. A long period has been elapsed, but I have received no response as yet.

I am an old person with ailing health. I would like to request the police administration to take proper steps without delay.

Putul Sarma,

Biswanath Chariali.