Letters to the Editor: Cost of medical treatment

Nowadays, a policy covering Health Insurance is becoming essential to every individual, including minors. However, from the State Government's side, there is no such facility available to the State Government employees and the retired persons. The Central Government employees, however, have such a facility. The different Insurance companies under GIC have health insurance plans with a heavy premium of varied sizes. These companies offer two types of payment modes against the treatment costs named as cashless or cash payments. We observe that the cost of treatment under the cashless plan is higher than the cost of the same treatment under the cash payment segment. My point is that there should be a reasonable and proportionate increase of cost structure in between cash and cashless, with transparency to the customer. The difference is noticeable and very high in many fields of treatment. Further, customers face red tape when they claim the cash reimbursements from the companies against the cash payments at the hospitals. The matter should be verified by the Government and IRDA so that both cash and cashless facilities exist.

Prasanta Baruah

Dispur, Guwahati

Sundays

Sundays used to be a different feeling altogether. We were allowed to be out playing for as much time we want. We would invent new games. We would be sitting in our classes on Saturday just when the waft of an exciting Sunday ahead passed through our minds. After 2010 we entered a different world altogether, leaving behind joys and falling into a quicksand created by technology. Now we are neck-deep in this quicksand counting our days till gulped by it. We have an antidote to this disease called technology, and that's a Sunday. Let's all try to wake up early on a Sunday and ditch our gadgets for the day. We can read a book, cook something, plant a sapling, mop the house or play a round of chess.

Noopur Baruah,

Tezpur

OIC: A mute organization

The OIC is a powerful international organization which means the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Fifty-six Islamic nations of the globe are members of OIC. They are supposed to look after the welfare of the member countries along with their people. The Islamic countries are the breeding grounds of global terrorism. Killing, torture, rape, arson etc., take place in these countries. This has forced their people to flee their nation and seek refuge elsewhere. Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, etc., are examples. The OIC never raises its voices globally in this regard but has become very vocal about the plight of the minorities in India. Their deafening silence about the inhuman atrocities committed by the Taliban on their people exposes their hypocrisy. The stoic silence maintained by our super secularists like the Congress, Samajwadi Party, leftists is nothing new. They always have been putting the party's interests above that of the nation.

They are best can be described as quislings.

Dr Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Polluted country

India is ranked as the worst hit by air pollution in the world. Soil, water and sound pollution are also harming human health, besides air pollution. A recent study shows that if this problem persists, it can shorten the lifespan and harm public health. The authorities should take steps to contain pollution.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog

Back to schools and colleges

Through the column of your esteemed newspaper, I would express my opinion on the reopening of educational institutions in the city. The decision to reopen is correct in its dynamic. However, it is important to check the vaccination status of the students. The students should wear masks and practise social distancing on the campus as much as possible. The proper sanitization of the campus is a must. It would be a productive step to curb the virus.

Anoushka Saini

(anoushkasaini23@gmail.com)

'Axomiya Xiku Aaha'

The Axam Xahitya Xabha's Mumbai golden branch created a milestone with their teaching platform 'Axomiya Xiku Aaha'. Started two years ago, the teaching process has grown into a full-fledged examination stage. On August 28, moderator Ruma Hazarika, vice president of the Mumbai Xahitya Xabha, organized an examination through Google meet. On August 29, 2021, Axam Xahitya Xabha president Dr Kuladhar Saikia interacted with the students and parents.

Suraiya Jahan, president of Mumbai Xahitya Xabha, welcomed Dr Saikia and all the students. Convener Devabrat Chakravorty explained the purpose of the event and emphasized the learning of the mother tongue. Chakravorty is the general secretary of Mumbai Zahitya Xabha,

Dr Saikia expressed his happiness to witness the students' enthusiasm and the efforts of Mumbai Xahitya Xabha.

Debika Borpujari

(debikaborpujari@gmail.com)

Academic or pandemic?

The government declared its decision to reopen schools and colleges as a commendable stride towards the reality of 'permanence with the virus.' However, lives become endangered when they get confined in a classroom filled with students and minimal ventilation. With the vaccines for those below 18 students being unprocurable, the State government has a constraint to convince parents. The very decision is a bold one, in which you might have to give someone or something the go-by, especially in a sensitive atmosphere like this. However, who is going to lead? Should we expect a cop-out? An informed decision is a prerequisite.

Hannah Shaji,

Vidyaranyapura

Bengaluru- 560097