Letters to the Editor: Spending quality time with parents

The young generation works hard to live a comfortable life. Some move to cities for better life opportunities. In this process sometimes they have to cut all the connections with their families. People are too busy with their work that they don't have time for their parents. This creates a gap between them. It's our responsibility to look after our parents. CM Himanta Biswas Sharma took the great initiative of granting 7 days leave to the employees in a year. So they can spend quality time with their parents.

Jasminara Begum,

Guwahati

Why we need CAA

In the 1950s and 1960s, Afghanistan had a sizeable Hindu and Sikh population. In the 1970s the total population of Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan were around two lakhs and by the 1990s it came down to around fifteen thousand and by 2020 the figure is as low as 700 and these remaining ones are even at high risk. What happened to them is a question which every 'pseudo secularist' tries to avoid. What factors forced them to be on brink of extinction? The fact is that due to atrocities committed by the majority, the minorities had limited options to act. They either had to flee to other countries to become refugees or to get converted to Islam to survive and unfortunately many were forced by the radical group to change religion and other change their faith in fear of life. Now, if we consider the case of Bangladeshi infiltrators case whom we call 'miyas'. This person infiltrated into the state some 70-80 years ago. Firstly, they came on work permits under the scheme of 'Grow more food' in small numbers and later on illegally under the patronage of successive Congress governments. Assam witnessed Assam Andolan push back the foreigners but all failed and now they are the majority community in 14-16 districts of Assam pushing the sons and daughters of the soil to flee from their respective place. My point is that despite stiff opposition the population of Miya people swelled and now threatening the very existence of the indigenous people. Whereas, in Afghanistan, the indigenous Hindus and Sikhs could not survive due to rapid attacks on their religious beliefs. The same is the case in Pakistan where reports of torture daily more particularly on Hindus are reported. Sikhs and Hindus have nowhere to go other than India. India is surrounded by hostile Islamic countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan which are ready to pounce on the people of other religious beliefs. CAA is need of the hour. The latest Taliban episode has opened the eyes of those who were opposing CAA earlier seeing the plight of Hindus and Sikhs in that country. I appeal to PM Modiji to evacuate all Hindus, Sikhs, Christian, Parsis and Buddhists struck up in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

Julie Bhuyan,

Gaurisagar.

Golden opportunity

After the takeover of Afghanistan by the dreaded Taliban, a few sycophants in our country are in a festive mood. An MP from Samajwadi Party has already likened the Taliban's access to Afghanistan with India's freedom movement. When we have so many traitors inside our country, do we need enemies? The terrorist group's capture of the land of Pathans has also provided a golden opportunity to those likes of Ex-Vice President Hamid Ansari, Bollywood actors Amir Khan, Nasiruddin Shah and Swara Bhaskar, former cricketer Irfan Khan, musician Javed Akhtar, politician Asauddin Owasis and a few more who always feel insecure to live in India to migrate to Afghanistan under the Taliban rule. Taliban has already declared that they would govern the country under Sharia Law, which would suit their lifestyle. It is indeed an unmissable golden and lifetime opportunity for them. Apart from it they would feel completely secured living in that piece of land.

One more thing which has come to light post -Taliban takeover is that those who were vouching against CAA now have requested the government to consider the case for Sikhs and Hindus stuck there urgently.

Dhiman Senchowa,

North Lakhimpur.

Snail's pace of speed post

An item number EW101720307IN was booked under the inland speed post in Kolkata on 7th Aug/21. The destination of the said item is Mangaldoi town.

Do you believe that the said item took long eight days to reach Guwahati, and thereafter the item took another three days to reach me? The technology, mode of communication, transportation system have developed in our country to such an extent that it is now at par with the developed country. Even then, the speed post package could not be delivered by the India Post within 72 hours. Had the item been booked in private courier, they would have delivered it within 72 hours.

This is not a stray incident. During the last two-and-a-half years journals were regularly sent to my address at Mangaldoi by speed post, but it always takes ten to fourteen days.

Jayanta Deka,

Rajapam, Mangaldoi Town

Mudslinging

The dirty game of mudslinging has become unfortunately the order of the day among our lawmakers. In some cases, it is seen that a few have started calling others by names using some unparliamentary words which should make us hang our heads in shame. The ongoing game of mudslinging going on between Akhil Gogoi and Aminul Islam both are lawmakers of Assam is no doubt very nauseating. It appears as if both are playing a game called 'SHADOW BOXING' as both so far have not dared to face each other either in media or in public. The electorates of both the MLAs are paying a heavy price for electing them. Instead of working for their respective constituencies, both are busy mudslinging and shadow boxing.

We as law-abiding taxpayers demand to know about the rupees 10-crore mystery as raised Aminul Islam before the media. Their stoic silence maintained by both makes us believe that they have compromised secretly at some point and have made a public fool by sparring in the air. This is today's politics.

Dr Ashim Chowdhury,

GUWAHATI.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma delivered an excellent speech on the floor of the House on 13th August. He was addressing the august House in support of the Assam Cattle Preservation Bill, 2021 which was duly passed by the House. He immaculately highlighted why the preservation and protection of cows are important when he quoted the impact of cow slaughter on nature. From the Hindu religious point of view, the cow is considered as 'Gau Mata' and worshipped by the followers of Hinduism. On the other hand, Akhil Gogoi who vehemently opposed the Bill stated that it would hurt the economical sector. Whoever has missed the Chief Minister's speech has certainly missed something. Through your esteemed daily, I thank the Mitrajoth government for offering their unconditional support to the Bill.

Spondon Hazuri,

Biswanath Chariali.

Pink buses

Through the columns of your esteemed paper, I want to draw the attention of the authorities concerned. The 'Pink Bus', which was launched under a new scheme called 'Bhraman Sarathi', was a free, dedicated bus service for women and senior citizens of the State for travel within Guwahati. Given that women's safety is a raging issue in the country, But nowadays there is a very less number of pink buses are available in Guwahati. Passengers have to wait for a long time and it's becoming difficult for elderly people and working women to ride on other buses giving double fare daily amidst the coronavirus situation also there is an urgent need of extension of pink buses in different locations around Guwahati. I request the authorities to look into this matter.

Padmini Das,

Cotton University

Repairing of road

Due to heavy rains, the condition of the by-lane In front of 1710 No Ambikagiri Primary School, Gandhinagar, Ward No. 15, Barpeta, has worsened to the point that it has become almost impossible to carry out transportation activities. And because of this, it has become difficult for the residents to continue their day-to-day activities. Even the children of the residents face a lot of problems while going to school in the Monsoon season every year. This is not a new thing for the residents. This has been one of the long-lasting major problems of the people living by this lane. I have been living here since 2012, and have been facing this problem since then. After submitting many applications, and continuous pleas of the residents to the Municipality Board of Barpeta, last year, just before the arrival of monsoon, the Municipality Board dumped only sand and gravel on the road and completed their duty. Which was of no use, as the road was completely submerged in floodwaters, and transportation of the residents had to be halted for more than two months. This year also, due to continuous rainfall, the road has become muddy, and transportation of four-wheelers and motorcycles have become difficult. The residents who live by this by-lane, have submitted many applications to the Municipality Board of Barpeta regarding a permanent solution for the by-lane, but it is of no use. Installation of Interlocking Concrete Block Pavement may result in a permanent solution to the problem. This will help the residents.

Through your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the attention of the authorities concerned to look into the matter and take necessary actions.

Tushar Bhuyan,

Gandhinagar, Barpeta

A good among the bad

We've had enough discussions about how Covid-induced lockdown has hampered our lives, but there are spritzes of beautiful colours in this black painting too. We have always complained about the time crunch. Nature in its unique way gave us ample time to splurge on things we love to do. The world seems to have used this time very efficiently as sales of fiction books in the UK in 2020 grew by 16 per cent despite bookshops being closed in the lockdowns. The US has also seen a considerable increase in sales of e-books and online orders of books. In India, when many newspapers cut down on their circulation number, the online sales of books saw a rise as people found a recluse in reading. This surely is good news. Everyone deserves applause.

Noopur Baruah,

Tezpur

Taliban

Through your esteemed daily, I would like to draw the kind attention of the Government of India not to allow Afghan people in India. It's a clear attempt by the hardcore ideology of a particular religion to create a Syria-like situation. It's a well-known fact how European countries are suffering.

Our country is a democratic one, and I don't want that such hooligans enter our country and disrupt peace. Let them go and take refugees in other bordering countries.

Suprakash Chakraborty,

Adabari Guwahati -12

Aurangzeb Lane

Aurangzeb Road in New Delhi was renamed as Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road. But perhaps due to oversight, Aurangzeb Lane on the same road was not renamed. The New Delhi Municipal Council or any other authority concerned should rename Aurangzeb Lane also.

It has been repeatedly pleaded that monarchy prefixes Shrimant and Rajmata should be removed from names of Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Marg and Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia Marg like Prithviraj Road in New Delhi does not carry Samrat before the name. But instead of putting suggestions before the committee concerned of New Delhi Municipal Council, authorities repeat the reply that names were decided as per the resolution passed. The committee concerned of the New Delhi Municipal Council should relook into the matter.

Since proper nouns are never translated, it is wrong to have dual naming of a road as Sansad Marg and Parliament Street both. This road in New Delhi should be known only as Sansad Marg in a manner Doordarshan is never translated in English but became a household name for all once the authorities decided it not to be translated into English.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal,

Delhi 110006

Justice delayed is justice denied

I refer to the Supreme Court's decision where a mason had to approach the Supreme Court to get justice and ultimately he succeeded also, and the court also appreciated his efforts.

I may mention here that this is not an isolated case and for ready reference, I quote four more cases of how a person has to face difficulties to get justice and those who cannot approach the higher courts have to console themselves. Following are the other four cases –

1. Union of India vs Amarjeet Singh Here the person had taken premature retirement on medical grounds after the completion of seven years of service and had to fight litigation for 39 years.

2. Gopal Vasudev vs Panjab National Bank

An employee was dismissed from service and after 32 years the Court delivered the judgement based on denial of natural justice as the employee was refused to get legal assistance.

3. Prithvi Singh vs Union of India Prithvi Singh was a soldier in the army and dismissed from service and ultimately he challenged his dismissal in the Supreme Court and the Court various lawyers appeared from the Union of India. Even the Solicitor General also appeared.

The media highlighted the matter and the government had to issue special instructions.

4. Anomaly exists in Section 30 of the Banking Pension Act and there is a denial of five years notional benefit in pension benefits to those who take premature retirement due to total incapacitation after completion of 28 years of service. This anomaly could have been removed when the first Disability Act was passed in 1996. This anomaly still exists even after the passing of the second Disability Act in 2016.

5. the Last issue is related to an anomaly in Section 30 of the Banking Pension Act regarding the denial of notional benefit of five years to those who had taken premature retirement due to total incapacitation after completion of 28 years of service and this anomaly exists from 1996.

Yash Pal Ralhan

21 Shiv Vihar Model Town

Jalandhar City 144003