Mystery woman in Indian contingent at London Olympics

Silence of Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on ‘the mystery woman in red’ marching in front row of Indian contingent at inaugural function of London Olympics is equally mysterious, especially when Indian Olympics Association (IOA) has officially lodged a complaint in this regard. It is even more significant that the woman was prominently highlighted in the shortest 22-second TV-coverage of marching Indian sportspersons in largely-viewed ceremony across the world. There are many possibilities about the mysterious woman including also her being some close relation or friend of some prominent Indian personality, bureaucrat, diplomat or politician. Matter affects security of Indian sportspersons at a time when sword of global terror and militancy hangs over London Olympics as well. Union government should also report the matter at Interpol.

MEA should take up both the matters namely mystery woman marching in Indian contingent, and negligible TV-coverage of India’s participation in the Opening Ceremony of London Olympics strongly both with British Government and organizers of Olympic Games. before the serious issue fades from minds of Indian people and media. An immediate statement from MEA is of utmost importance in larger national and public interest. In case mystery woman was sent on behest of some Indian personality, it should be so revealed including about action taken against any such person.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal, 1775 Kucha Lattushah Dariba, Chandni Chowk

Delhi-110006

Drinking water scarcity in Guwahati: Who will listen?

Everyday we find various news in the printing and the electronic media in respect of scarcity of water in Guwahati. The scarcity of water in Guwahati has been identified as one of the major problem of the city. There scarcity of water in Guwahati has been identified as one of the major problem of the city. Thee are many reasons for water scarcity in and around Guwahati. But the authority responsible to make available piped water to the citizen failed to give proper attention to this perennial problems of the tax payers of Guwahati. Further, the wells which are the only source of water for most of the people becomes dry in almost all areas of Guwahait. One of the main reason of drying wells is due to thereduciton of ground water lvel of Guwahait. One of the main reason of drying wells is due to the reduction of ground water level of Guwahait. Lowering down of ground water level is mainly due to extraction of ground water by various flats, multi-storied buildings owners by using boring and high powered pumps to draw their requirement of water. Apart from these some persons extract ground water by boring and supplying water on commercial basis. In our views this is absolutely illegal and hte district authority is requested to take stern action immediately against such persns extracting ground water for wells in most of the areas of Guwahati at leaast 3/4 tube wells in each ward of GMC which gave immense relif to the gneral public. But it is unfortunate that almost all such tub wells installed becomes out of the interest of the general public. We request the competent authority to take initiative to repair the exiswting tube well and also install few more such tube wells in each ward of GMC with locking system which will certainly give some releif to the public. But for proper handling of these tube wells, the competent authority may consider to involve social orgnizaitons like clubs and various public organizaiton like Namghar/Gurdwar/Masjit etc. of the area situated around the tube wells who will keep vigil of such tube wells and lock the same except some specifiec times in the morning and evening for proper use by the public. under no circumstances water of these tube wells should be allowed for any commercial purposes like hotel/restaurant etc as well noticed earlier. Though some private operators used to sale water at an exorbitant rate (Rs 300-300 per auto van carryig 600-700 liters) and the general people unable to afford this amount. The authority may also consider to make available water by tanker free of cost at least once in a day to some interior areas to give soem releif to the public.

Though the Tarun Gogoi led State Government announces various project to make available to piped water for 24 hrs x 7 days for Guwahatians, we doubt the sincerity of the State Government to complete those project within 2016 as committed. We hope this should not be turned as an election gimmick for next Assam Assembly eleciton to be held on 2016.

The state government in the last Assam Assembly has enacted the Assam Ground Water Control and Regulation Act as reported. This is certainly a welcome move on the part of the State government and we must appreciate the state government for the same.

We also request the general public to start rain water harvesting for use the same for other purposes other than drinking water.

Pradip Kakati, 1, Nabagraha Path, Guwahati-781 003