Online learning methods: Letters to The Editor

Online learning methods

In COVID's view, in recent times, there has been a strong backlash against enterprises and other sectors, as well as educational institutions in the country. In the year 2020, the examination was conducted after completing some courses through hardly online teaching. Of course, there was no alternative. However, if such a situation arises again, will the same teaching be given again? Such a question is now in everyone's mind, especially the parents of the students. In developed countries like the USA, England, teaching is done both offline and online according to the syllabus at the college or university level. There is no such thing as online teaching just by turning COVID. Students are accustomed to both of these systems. In addition, developed countries have specific mechanisms for online teaching. However, most of our educational institutions do not have an online education system as compared to two-to-one higher education programmes. At the same time, there is no specific and scientific mechanism for online teaching. Anyone who has taken advantage of it has taught online. In addition, there are some technical difficulties with online tutoring, especially in some areas where there is no network. While the online tutoring system is slightly effective at the university or college level, it is not as promising as expected at the school level. Instead, children and some teachers are facing harassments. Moreover, in the case of practical subjects, this system is completely irrelevant and meaningless. The current government has completely stopped teaching in all educational institutions due to COVID infection. Therefore, there is no alternative to an online system for students to get an education. Students should be allowed to come to the institute at least one day a week, emphasizing the emotional side of the students. Accordingly, if at least 10-12 standard students are allowed to attend the educational institutes following the COVID protocol, there will be no harm. This system will help the students to some extent in learning from the teachers of specific subjects. Otherwise, their desire to study will decrease. However, not everything is available in online teaching.

We are hopeful that if all sections of society are aware of the precious lives of the students as a resource for the future of the country, the vast loss of education during the COVID period can be remedied.

Heramba Nath,

Kamrup.

Pondering

BJP and its allies returned to power for the second term riding on development. The Congress went into the polls ignoring the sentiments of the original inhabitants of the State to grab cent per cent minority votes. The combo pack of Congress and AIUDF scored more than 90-95% Muslim votes (more particularly east Bengal origin who are settled in large numbers in lower Assam). The AIUDF gained grounds as they managed to increase their seats in the august Assam Legislative Assembly. This poll has proved that out of 126 Assembly seats 38 are with Bangladesh origin Muslim populace where the sons of the land have lost political power. It might just be the beginning who knows by 2036 (15 years down the line) the seats in grip or command of these people could be 65-70. Then no power on earth can save Assam from turning into another Jammu & Kashmir.

Julie Bhuyan,

Gaurisagar.

NOTA

In the recently held Assembly election in Assam, there is the NOTA option very much optioned by the voters. It is a serious issue. As such through your esteemed daily, I would like to request the Election Commission of India as well as the Government and the Parliament to ponder over the issue and take necessary action without delay before the coming election.

My view as a senior citizen is to abolish the NOTA option.

Putul Sarma,

Bamgaon, Biswanath Chariali.

Akhil and Lurinjyoty

Akhil and Lurinjyoti missed the bus for now! They have to wait for another five years. That's also not sure whether they could board the bus in the next turn? The future is unknown! Moreover, nobody knows what situation would persist after five years? It is indeed sad that they could not assess the situation from proper perspectives even by being active in public space for many years. The year 2021 was the most opportune time for them to clock a good number of seats in the Assam Assembly. The attitude to go it alone and form a government cost them dearly. Even the most powerful and resourceful party didn't dare to go it alone. They had to align with the AGP and the UPPL as well. In a fragmented Assamese society, how they read the situation differently? One thing is for sure that ego and arrogance have no place in today's milieu!

Prafulla Dowarah,

Guwahati

Nation's cry

Over the past few months, what India has witnessed is a catastrophic failure of leadership, a failure of humanity. People are dying, some on luxurious hospital beds, some on footpaths. Many have spent their savings just to save the life of a loved one, yet could not. The main priority should be to keep oneself safe and fight collectively as a nation.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog.

A stitch in time saves nine

The old proverb "A Stitch in Time Saves Nine" still holds good value without any question. This has been proved once again by the Central Government's leniency in dealing with the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in the country. When the country was reeling under the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Government's top priority should have been to take all precautionary measures to contain the epidemic. But instead, it vented all its energies in the campaigning of the just-concluded Assembly election in five States, including in Assam and West Bengal. In Assam, the situation worsened after the election as both the State and the Central leaders arranged election meetings and rallies with mammoth gatherings without adhering to COVID-19 protocols, notified by the Election Commission of India. On the other hand, Delhi, the capital city of India suffered the most, where many persons succumbed to COVID upsurge due to lack of medical facilities. Had the Government taken timely action, such as ensuring the availability of life-saving oxygen, medicines and other healthcare facilities such a grave situation from the pandemic might have been avoided.

We hope the Government will take lessons from the old proverb.

Samir Rajkhowa,

Jorhat.

News telecast

The second wave of COVID-19 has penetrated Assam and it is now under its hellish grip. The fatality rate has increased manifold during the last couple of days in the State. The news of the death in COVID-19

has been beamed in all local news channels, particularly the scene of rows of pyre in cremation ground make all of us tense and nervous. We are in a state of constant fear. Therefore, telecasting such depressing scenes on TV makes people panic.

I, therefore, appeal to all news channels of Assam not to focus on the news of burning pyre or burial ground. I request them to focus on some positive works carried out by good Samaritans in mitigating the

the suffering of the people or relatives of COVID-19 afflicted people during the second wave of COVID-19 across the country.

Jayanta Deka,

Rajapam, Mangaldoi Town.

Differently-abled staffers

The step by the Tamil Nadu government to exempt its differently-abled employees from attending office following the surge in COVID-19 cases is praiseworthy. The differently-abled employees need not come to the office till June 20. This is a big relief for them. The Central Government has already issued an order and directed State governments to exempt differently-abled people from attending the office. The pandemic and consequent lockdown have come with diverse challenges, from sourcing essential supplies to accessing medical treatment, exercising social distancing, public transportations, and much more. The need of the hour is that the State governments should facilitate their differently-abled staffers.

Amit Singh Kushwaha,

Satna (M.P.)

Healthcare ecosystem in India

The second wave in India since April 2021 has exposed the lack of timely preparedness to tackle the pandemic and lack of experience in handling this health exigency affecting the public. As the nation's people are battling out every day to grab a hospital bed or find an oxygen cylinder, the government has hugely disappointed in meeting these essential health factors at this critical phase. The rushed arrangements for oxygen supply in the form of in-house production and receiving foreign aid is a very late move, while otherwise, one should have made adequate arrangements before the outbreak of the second wave.

A common man is now aghast as the current situation exposes only the vulnerability and lack of a quality healthcare ecosystem in India. The government has failed its citizens, where, daily one is witnessing a high number of deaths due to lack of timely treatment, improper management of ICUs and Oxygen wards leading to fire accidents; along with an alarming rise in daily infections.

There is now an urgent need to scrupulously fix the loopholes in the system and provide quality healthcare to its citizens regardless of pandemic crisis or otherwise. The people's trust in the government will be only be restored if an efficient and long-term healthcare ecosystem prevails in the society rather than dependence on the ballot box through votes as a mandate to raise the bar.

Varun Dambal,

Bangalore.

RSS should hire a poll strategist

Credibility, nationalist approach and service-above-self of Rashtriya Sewak Sangh have always been undoubtful with even the then Prime Minister of India (from Congress) in 1960-decade having given unique honour to RSS by inviting its contingent in Republic Day parade. Only recently an 85-year-old RSS worker chose his death due to COVID by giving his hospital bed to a young person because he considered the life of the youngster was more important than of himself.

Poll-strategist Prashant Kishore, the backbone behind the unexpected grand victory of TMC in West Bengal Assembly-elections by more than two-thirds majority has proved his worth once again without any doubt. Even in past, he has been a poll-strategist for different political parties, and records establish that every time the party had hired professional services of Prashant Kishore has won in different states. He has been a non-political person by his conduct to provide poll-strategic services totally in a professional manner to different political parties.

It will be an ideal combination in the larger interest of this ancient nation and its people if RSS approaches Prashant Kishore for being a poll strategist for a party favoured by RSS.

Madhu Agrawal,

Chandni Chowk, Delhi