Letters to The EDITOR: Finally, the good news

On August 5, the Chief Minister tweeted that the Maligaon flyover would be opened on August 28. This news has come as succour and relief to the citizens of Guwahati and also to those residing in the peripherals of the city. Being a regular commuter via that road, I have had thousands of nightmarish experiences over all these years. We have received the good news, but we all have the fear and anxiety that CM might announce the construction of new flyovers in another area of the city. As we are all aware, tendering for flyover construction is a lucrative business for the head of government with a high percentage of commission.

Already, the government is mulling over the idea of another flyover from FCI godown, Noonmati, to Dighalipukhuri. That proposed flyover is more than 5 km in length, and surely it will take 4-5 years at the minimum for completion. In that period, if we look at it from a business point of view, it will surely hit hard on those who were doing business on that stretch of road. Do we really need a 5-kilometre flyover? How many vehicles will directly go from Dighalipukhuri to Noonmati and vice versa? To be honest, that stretch of road is already narrow, and further construction of a flyover will surely make driving under the proposed flyover a hellish experience. Through your esteemed daily, I urge the CM to give up the idea of the Dighalipukhuri-Noonmati flyover.

Pratuljyoti Buragohain,

Panjabari, Guwahati.

A great reprieve

The recent SC verdict of staying Rahul Gandhi’s conviction in the Modi surname defamation case is a big reprieve for Rahul Gandhi and his personal party. Congress is celebrating SC’s verdict across the nation with a great fanfare. This verdict will make way and encourage anyone to call any community by name as done by a mother-son duo against a duly elected PM of a nation as Chor, Mout Ka Saudagar as they did so on earlier occasions. The very SC verdict might encourage others to name all Yadavs and Sisodia as fodder and liquor chor.

We all know that Justice delayed is justice denied, as it has happened in Bokolia, Karbi Anglong, where two youths, namely Neel and Abhi, were lynched and murdered in cold blood. Even after 5 years of trial in fast-track, justice is denied to their family. Sometimes it makes us feel as if Indian judiciary is not foolproof and not meant for common people. Before parting, I wish Gandhi all the best and urge him to call any one by name. For people like Rahul Gandhi, judiciary is within their reach at any moment.

Joel Gayari,

Tangla.

Make a difference

We celebrate Independence Day on August 15, and it’s just a celebration for most of us. Many people celebrate Independence Day by singing and uploading patriotic songs and quotations on social media. Even in schools and colleges, we do the same. We teach our children to sing patriotic songs and stage an emotional play that shows patriotism. Of course, it enhances patriotism in young minds, but what about the next day? We see the flags trampled upon on roads and thrown into dustbins. Our National flag is a symbol of the nation’s pride and respect. There is liberal use of the flag on Independence Day and Republic Day. There is a new trend of selling flags made of paper and plastic, which is incorrect. With a sense of national pride, people enthusiastically buy such flags, but the very next day, we find them being trampled upon on roads and thrown into dustbins. By allowing this to happen, people forget that they are insulting the national flag.

Often, these flags are burned along with the garbage. It is the duty of every individual to maintain proper respect for their National flag. We also commonly see people waving the National flag proudly during national, cultural, and sporting events. However, once the programme or the event gets over, we see the flags strewn all over the place. This disrespect for our flag must be stopped.

Even when the national anthem is played on the radio or on television, people don’t stand still and sing along. They are busy cooking in the kitchen or talking on their mobile phones. As Indians, we should respect our country’s national flag, national anthem, and national song. We must focus on our country’s needs. It does not need patriotic songs or only one-day celebrations. Be sincere and honest with your work. A common man cannot change the whole system, but many common people together can do this. It is the best way to make a difference.

Seventy-six years ago, our great leaders struggled hard to bless us with a nation where we could practise our religion without fear of recrimination. Despite all the sacrifices and hardships we have endured, are we really an independent nation or one in name only? Seventy-six years on, we still struggle to hold free and fair elections, elect competent and honest leaders, provide justice and quality education to all, keep the press free, and attain gender parity.

Jubel D’Cruz,

jubeldcruz@yahoo.com.