Letters to The Editor: Ultimate honour to Major Dhyan Chand

Apropos the front-page news report, "PM Modi names 'Khel Ratna' award after Dhyan Chand" (The Sentinel, Saturday, 7th August 2021), I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude towards the Government of India for (finally) naming 'Khel Ratna' award as "Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award" after Major Dhyan Chand – the legendary Hockey star of India, having an illustrious record of three Gold medals in the Olympic Games from the year 1928 to 1936.

He is, undoubtedly, the most eligible person to be given this honour, because his contribution as a hockey wizard to the rich history of Indian Hockey in the world is matchless and unique. He was the centre of attraction for his team during his heyday and also the player from India to bring the best of Indian Hockey to the world platform.

Through your esteemed daily, I also congratulate honourable PM Narendra Modi for making all Indians happy and satisfied with such a great announcement. Hopefully, the present generation will read more about Major Dhyan Chand and understand the rise of such a dedicated player in the history of world hockey!

I would, herewith, like to suggest the Union Government make films and documentaries on the legendary hockey star from India and inspire the masses. Moreover, books on Major Dhyan Chand need to be written and published for greater circulation! It would be our responsibility to keep him alive in our hearts and soul!

Jayanta Topadar,

Sikshak Karyakarta.

Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Dhemaji.

Landmark decision

After the abrogation of Article 370, the Modi government has come up with another landmark decision when it changed the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna to MAJOR DHYAN CHAND KHEL RATNA, the country's highest honour in recognition with excellence in sports. It was long overdue. We the genuine sports lovers of the nation are at last greatly relieved that Lt. Major Dhyan Chand is also known as Hockey Wizard has been given due recognition. The great son of the country who had bought so many laurels in the game of Hockey deserves Bharat Ratna which is still denied to him. We expect that more such blunders of the previous government shall be rectified by the present government. We are also sure that the opposition, Congress, in particular, will try to hit back with some ludicrous arguments by hitting below the belt but the Modi government has to hold firm. India cannot be the private property of one family.

Truly, it is yet another landmark decision. The nation as a whole is happy.

Dr Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Encourage students to be patriotic

The adoption of the Deshbhakti Curriculum framework by the Delhi State Council of Educational Research and Training is a positive move. The curriculum was unveiled at the 2021 Delhi Budget to instil a sense of patriotism and nationhood in every kid attending Delhi government schools and preparing them to be responsible citizens who contribute to the nation's development. The curriculum's three main goals are patriotism, understanding one's responsibilities and duties, and a willingness to make sacrifices for the country. We hope that this initiative will aid in the dissemination of patriotism among students and the development of responsible citizens.

Amit Singh Kushwaha,

Satna (M.P.)

Long overdue

Through your esteemed daily, I would like to congratulate the Government of India led by Narendra Damodhar Bhai Modi, our Hon'ble PM, for such a historic decision, respecting the sentiment of crores of Indian people to change the name of Rajib Gandhi Khel Ratna Award to legendary Hockey player Dhyan Chand.

It was long overdue.

Through your esteemed daily, I urge the Government of India not only the Sportsperson award but to change the name of all the stadiums in the entire country in the name of the respective sportsperson of that particular state, an educational institute in the name of our respected scientist etc.

Suprakash Chakraborty,

Kamakhya Nagar Adabari

Tiniali, Guwahati.

Tezpur railway station

The old railway station in Tezpur is lying in a state of utter neglect. There have been numerous demands by different organizations and citizens concerned of the town for its revival, but the Centre has not even blinked at those requests. In a recent report of the Union Ministry of Railways, it is reported that the Dekargaon station is just 5 kilometres from Tezpur town. This is a result of haphazardly entering data without cross-checking, Dekargaon station is a good 10 kilometres from Tezpur town. The people have to travel these 10 kilometres despite having a station in the middle of the town. Does it sound sensible? Now the old railway station and the track are slowly being encroached upon, and the administration is doing nothing about it. If this railway station gets a new lease of life, it would not only be cosy for the people but also the e-market as goods will reach faster than usual. I urge the Union Ministry of Railways to take this matter seriously and think about the revival of this heritage railway station.

Noopur Baruah,

Tezpur.

Historic decision

The wait is finally over. The highest honour in the field of sports, Khel Ratna, has been rechristened. Over decades from various quarters, sports-loving people have been demanding to remove the prefix associated with Khel Ratna and add Major Dhyanchand's name. Finally, our beloved Prime Minister who is a big fan of sports has removed the name of ex-Prime Minister Late Rajiv Gandhi (who was in no way associated with any sports) much to the delight of the sports-crazy people of the country. Late Major Dhyanchand is considered as the greatest hockey player of all time who even mesmerised Adolf Hitler by his magical stick work in Munich Olympic. Major Dhyanchand was the instrumental force behind the Indian team's repeated success in Olympic Games. This person deserves Bharat Ratna which is still elusive to the legend. Congress has the habit of naming everything on the Indian soil after either Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi or Rajiv Gandhi. Thank God that they have spared sun and moon from naming them after either of the three. Once again, I wholeheartedly thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for rectifying one of the biggest blunders. We have full faith that under the dynamic leadership of Modiji India will scale more milestones.

Julie Bhuyan,

Gaurisagar.

Supreme Court on differently abled's cause

The Supreme Court expressed its "anguish" over what it called attempts by "all governments and institutions" to deprive people with disabilities of their rights under the disability law.

"This has been our experience for decades as judges. Irrespective of dispensation, all governments, and all authorities have always tried their best to defeat the objective of the disability law. Nobody wants to make ways for the disabled," regretted the bench of justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Hemant Gupta.

The bench was hearing an appeal by a consortium of Catholic school management and Catholic institutions of higher education in Kerala against the high court decision to appoint disabled candidates as teachers in their schools under the disability Act.

It is to be noted that such type of anomaly already exists in the banking sector and there is a denial of notional benefit of five years if a person takes premature retirement due to total incapacitation after completion of 28 years of service.

Karnataka High Court had imposed a fine of Rs 20 lakh on Airline for their misconduct with disabled mother and son. For ready reference, I quote two more cases.

Yash Pal Ralhan,

21 Shiv Vihar Model Town

Jalandhar Punjab

'Voice of Opposition'

The Opposition must voice their views and concerns regarding any activity that disturbs our state geographically, economically or socially. However, various legislators representing the Saffron party from the North East seem to be very sensitive to the 'Voice of Opposition'. The recent full-page newspaper advertisement by the BJP where it expressed disapproval over the Congress for indulging in politics over the recent clashes in the Assam-Mizoram border has lowered their 'Political ethics' to a greater extent. We the brothers and sisters of the Northeast always expect to promote, maintain unity and peace amongst us; and to grow economically & institutionally. To accomplish it, political unity is a must; as political division only arouses a mindset of hatred and conflict among us. While the agreement between both the states to not deploy any additional police forces to the border areas of conflict is a welcome step, putting up border posts in a time-bound manner along the border along with routine satellite mapping will help to the proper geographical demarcation of the boundaries. A judicial probe by a group of retired judges should be carried on to find the root cause of the occurrence of the untoward incident. The recommendations of the commissions and committees formed to study the disputes along the Assam-Mizoram border must be reviewed.

Through Your esteemed daily, I would request certain sections of politicians to stop playing the blame game and instead focus on bringing normalcy to the region. Hoping to see the beacon of light passing through the tunnel soon!

Partha Pratim Duarah,

Nazira.

AIUDF sidelined

Newly appointed APCC president Bhupen Bora has sent out clear signals that Mahajoot is on the way to be history. In his recent bytes, he has given enough hints that Congress is willing to take Raijor Dol and sacrifice AIUDF. This can backfire horribly for Congress as in lower and central Assam AIUDF has strong influence due to the presence of a sizeable immigrant Muslim population. During the Congress regime immigrant Muslims of Bangladesh origin were scattered by the then ruling party all over the state to bolster their vote bank. Immigrant Muslims are a firm supporter of AIUDF because AIUDF was born to safeguard their interests post-abrogation of the IM(DT) Act. Raijor Dol too is looking to capture the votes of the immigrant Muslim population so they have allied with Congress who have always shown their soft corner towards the immigrant people even at the extent of lowering the dignity of the indigenous people. Now that Raijor Dol has gone with the Congress the pressure is on Lurinjyoti Gogoi to side with Congress. Lurinjyoti Gogoi has always got his popularity grades from the people in the last Assembly polls where not only his party AJP scored duck but also in many seats his candidates lost the security deposit. However, Lurinjyoti Gogoi and Akhil Gogoi shout about the rights and demands of the immigrant Muslim people, the votes of immigrant Muslims won't translate to them. Bhupen Bora should have gone all alone instead of carrying the baggage of failed party. Time will tell how they fare in the upcoming by-election.

Pratuljyoti Buragohain,

Guwahati.

Senior Citizens Savings Scheme

National Savings Institute should simplify the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) with auto-renewal and auto-credit of maturity-amount to accounts where interest is credited. Department of Posts should be complimented for sending SMSs suggesting renewal of Senior Citizens Savings Scheme (SCSS) Accounts to those whose investments in the scheme are nearing maturity. But new simplified account-opening forms for SCSS should be introduced which should be available on websites of the Department of Posts and all public-sector banks whereby provision may be there to fill up the form at the website itself and then download the filled-up form as the system exists in case passport-application forms.

Moreover, there should be the provision of auto-renewal of SCSS accounts on maturity if so desired by the investor without requiring a visit to the post office or bank branch concerned. However, if the investor does not opt for auto-renewal, then the maturity amount should be auto-credited in a post-office savings account or bank account where quarterly interest is credited. The idea should be that senior citizens may not be compelled to go out of their homes for renewal or taking maturity-cheque, especially now in the era of corona-pandemic. The system will save huge man-hours and unnecessary paperwork for post-offices and banks in renewal or giving maturity-cheque.

All government savings schemes including SCSS should have the provision of successive nominations like exists at LIC of India. Presently aged couples make their spouses nominees of each other, and matured amounts lie unclaimed in case of deaths of both the depositor and the nominee because it is a very cumbersome procedure that legal heirs may claim deposits without having a succession certificate. Data can reveal that huge deposits in matured SCSS accounts are lying unclaimed with the government.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal,

Delhi 110006