Letters to THE EDITOR: Boycott Call

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Boycott call

We are all aware that the media is the fourth pillar of our democracy. Since independence, the media, mainly newspapers and radio, have played a pivotal role in providing the latest news updates around the globe. Now, with the advent of electronic media, we are provided with the latest political developments, both national and international, at our fingertips. Sometimes, any news coverage might not suit a certain political party or alliance, but that doesn’t mean that the said political party or the alliance should boycott that media house. The media have the freedom to express their views before the public, unless they are not involved in any anti-national acts. But recently, very shockingly, it has been seen that some political parties belonging to both the ruling and opposition parties have resorted to banning electronic media for opposing or debating their policies or views. The boycott of Times Now, a leading national English TV channel, and a few more, along with News Live, a leading vernacular local TV channel, is a pointer in this direction, which is not a healthy sign of democracy.

It reminds us of the Emergency Era of 1975, the darkest period of Indian democracy.

Lanu Dutt Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Loneliness is an epidemic

Considering 'isolation and loneliness' to be major public health problems across the world, WHO has formed a team of experts that will work on its nature, identification, dimensions, and diagnosis. Last May, American Surgeon-General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory declaring the increasing loneliness not only among the elderly but also among the youth as an epidemic in American society and saying that a lack of social relations affects the health of the elderly. Taking cognizance of this, WHO has now considered it a global threat. The population of elderly people (above 60 years) in India is more than 15 crore. In America or other affluent countries, the government's social security schemes and human-loving institutions do a lot of work to provide relief to the elderly, but in India, poverty in the lower class and breakdown of families in the middle class are accompanied by widespread corruption and administrative inaction. This increases the danger manifold. According to the advisory, there is only one cure: 'Social Connect'. The government will have to create comprehensive and reliable old-age homes for the elderly and take responsibility for their health. Social organizations will also have to give priority to this threat.

Nawaz Ashraf

Guwahati

Presence of traffic police

Traffic signals and traffic management systems have been initiated in Guwahati. However, these are still teething issues, and they would need time to settle down. Cooperation from everyone concerned, and more specifically, the civic sense of the user public, would be required for things to fall into place.

But even the best of mechanized traffic management systems would perhaps be futile to prevent smooth vehicular movement in Guwahati without the traffic policemen, at least in important traffic junctions, and more specifically during the peak morning and evening hours. Certain important traffic junctions are in Ganeshguri, Paltan Bazar, Bharalumukh, Six Mile, and Lal Ganesh, among others. Of late, we have observed that traffic policemen are absent in these junctions, which leads to congestion of vehicular traffic in these junctions, at least during peak traffic hours.

We bring to the notice of the Guwahati Police Commissionerate and the government authorities the need to deploy traffic policemen in important traffic junctions, at least during the peak hours.

D Bhutia,

Zoo Road, Guwahati

Provide education to poor children

I am writing to express my concern about the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act of 2009 and the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, which are falling short of reaching many needy children in India.

Sir, the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act guarantees free education to all children between the ages of 6 and 14. However, many children from poor and marginalized communities are still unable to access education. This is due to a number of factors, including lack of awareness about the law, poverty, and discrimination. I saw many children begging for food in several places. These children are clearly suffering from malnutrition and a lack of access to basic necessities. It is heartbreaking to see that these children are not able to enjoy their fundamental right to education.

I humbly request that the government take urgent steps to address the issue of children who are out of school. This includes increasing awareness about the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, providing financial assistance to poor families, and combating discrimination. The government must also ensure that the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme is implemented effectively.

Ashmita Paul,

Royal Global University,

Guwahati.