Letters to THE EDITOR

Politicians too should have expiry dates

The editorial captioned 'Politicians too should have expiry dates' (The Sentinel-08/03/2021) is a timely one depicting true resemblance of politicians with medicines. After going through the editorial some more thoughts have come to my mind which I would like to share with the respected readers of this esteemed daily. First, today's politicians, barring a few, are much more concerned with self interest than to work for the welfare of the common people whereas medicines work wholeheartedly to give relief to sufferers. Secondly, a medicine meant for a particular disease maintains its properties till expiry date, but to the contrary a politician can change his ideology a number of times to suit his personal interest as long as he is in politics. Thirdly, fake medicines and the selfish politicians without firm ideologies fall in the same category as both do not serve any purpose to our society. Lastly, I also feel that politicians should have expiry dates just like medicines so that the old saying 'old is gold' does not become a hindrance in modern day politics to the new comers with vibrant ideas.

Samir Rajkhowa,

Jorhat.

Covaxin efficacy

The study, developed by Bharat Biotech and the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR), claims that COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin is 81 per cent effective in preventing corona. The data was released after a survey of 25,800 people. This result was obtained from a clinical trial conducted by the company. According to the report, 81 per cent of the cases have been reported and the symptoms of the disease have been brought under control and the disease is not fully developed. Dr. Krishna M Ella, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Biotech, said that Covaxin is a very effective anti-corona vaccine and significantly enhances immunity. A total of 2,433 people over the age of 60 and 4,500 people with compatibility were present at the trial. This vaccine was given to them. The age group was between 18 and 98 years. Their corona test results were negative before the first dose of Covaxin was given. In the case of the placebo group, the first dose showed corona infection in 36 people. In the vaccinated group, seven people were infected with corona. This means that the vaccine group is much lower than the corona infection. In addition, the group will report 87 cases in the next phase and 140 cases in the final stage. The second and the final report will be published in the journal. Dr Nizam Missaghi, a well-known anesthesiologist at the Government Medical College in Nizamabad, said a clear picture emerged after conducting a study between the two groups. The vaccine has been shown to counteract the symptoms of corona and the body has developed an immune system.

Heramba Nath,

Kamrup.

Hunger for power

The prestigious Golaghat constituency will be one of the most keenly followed constituencies this time. It's not because that some high-profile candidates are contesting from there but because of Ajanta Neog of the BJP and and Bitupon Saikia of the Congress. Ajanta Neog was the Congress candidate from the same constituency in 2016 and her rival Bitupon Saikia was in the BJP. This time the rival parties are the same but their candidates have switched sides. How Golaghat voters are going to choose their representatives is something keep tabs on.

Chotu Nath Boro,

Baghbor.

Today's mantra

I, being a keen follower of State's politics, have noticed a trend among all politicians. Firstly, untrustworthy politicians are the biggest threat to the civil society. For them, one can only serve the people or the society if he or she is an MLA, MP or a Minister. So their mantra is 'If I get the party ticket I will change the country, but if I am denied party ticket I will change the party'. Whoever have said politics is the last resort of scoundrels deserves utmost respect and salute.

Purabi Miri,

Jakhalabandha.

Electricity should be a poll issue

Through this esteemed daily I would like to make an earnest request to the political parties in the poll-bound Assam for the ensuing Assembly election to come forward with a clear vision for improvement of power scenario in the State. Ours is a perennially power deficit State, and the successive governments have made promises to uplift this sector but failed to honour their assurances. Even during this on-going poll campaign we are facing severe load-shedding which demonstrates that the parties are not reckoning it as a serious problem. But electricity is an essential public utility service as we are solely dependent on it in our daily lives. I also urge the electors of the State that whatever opportunity comes their way should be utilized to press this demand with the political parties and their nominees for uninterrupted power supply to every household.

Pannalal Dey,

Guwahati.

Leaders and their mothers

The nomination for the first phase of the much anticipated Assembly elections is over. As always the nomination submission process is marked with fanfare and publicity. The candidates tried their best to impress upon the electorates by various ways. Among the many two heavyweight candidates, namely Rupjyoti Kurmi (Congress) and Akhil Gogoi (Raijor Dol) went ahead to file nomination in unique ways. Rupjyoti Kurmi took his mother's photo to file his nomination while in Akhil Gogoi's case it was his mother who went along with her son's supporters to file nomination. But it is not the same case with their bitterest rival Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister like any other worthy son takes blessings from his mother before he goes to file his nomination. He never used his mother as a tool to create an emotional wave. I believe the style adopted by Rupjyoti Kurmi and Akhil Gogoi is not the noble way.

Lanu Dutta Chowdhury,

Guwahati