Of late, the drug menace in Assam is raising its ugly face menacingly. There's not a single day without reports of recovery and nabbing of the drug peddlers. It appears, some section of antisocial elements are out to destabilize Assam by making its youths drug addicts like most other premier places in Assam, Dibrugarh too is badly affected by drug peddlers. Thanks to Dibrugarh Police who could not only bust such a drug racket but are also instrumental in nabbing the drug-peddlers recovering a good cache of drugs. What is of utmost importance is agility of the police. It is seen that despite police action the menace of drug is permeating in every nook and corner of Assam. The need of the hour is bringing a sense of awareness among the people against drugs. It is experienced that teenagers fall an easy prey to drugs. They are the pampered lots of their parents, who give them good amount of money for pocket-expenses. Everybody should try for a drug-free Assam.
Ashok Bordoloi,
Dibrugarh
Once, I was travelling by train. The train had travelled just 50 kilometres from its starting station. I found out that the washbasin is dirty. Many people spit into it after chewing gutkha and paan. Sighting it, a passenger said, "Railway is not aware of sanitation". "Should not it be cleaned because we have paid the fare for travelling?" I wondered after listening to this comment.
In the same way, I have to move to my office by passing a railway foot-over bridge every day. The bridge looks dirty because many people are spitting at that place. The cleaning staff cleans it up using acid and water. The bridge is just hundred metres long, but individuals are not taking care of it.
At present, when I have to go to the bus stand to pick the bus, I feel afraid. I imagine anyone sitting in the bus could spit out from the window. That's why I go there carefully. I have witnessed a quarrel about this on the bus stand many times when a passenger accidentally spits on a passer-by. In our community, every family makes an effort to maintain their residence clean and beautiful, but the same person when in public places has a different attitude. Using plastic carry bags and not disposing of properly, is common. Sometimes, People would throw garbage, leftover food, pointed items, broken glass, and poisonous substances openly in plastic bags. This behaviour is harmful to our environment and creates a threat to animals, birds because they may unknowingly eat it and die. The garbage collection authorities are requesting people to collect dry and wet waste in different dustbins, but many of us do not follow it seriously. The conditions of public conveniences are also inadequate. It is found dirty and people do not use it decently. Even, I saw in government offices that the toilets were untidy. No one could lead the initiative to clean the toilet.
In 2017, the Hindi language comedy-drama film 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha' was released and became a success. The movie delivered a solid message to improve sanitation conditions, with an emphasis on the eradication of open defecation, especially in rural areas. It expresses the actual situation of rural areas, where women are facing numerous troubles due to the unavailability of toilets.
This year, the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic vindicates the significance of sanitation and personal hygiene. Many people follow the guidelines and preventive measures issued by the government. At the same time, many others violate the protocol involving the wearing of masks and social distancing, which is the best way to avoid this pandemic. The state governments have banned spitting in public places, but citizens are still not taking it thoughtfully. Swachh Bharat Mission is a revolutionary movement introduced by the Government of India. The mission displays positive results continuously. For the year 2020, Indore was adjudged India's cleanest city for the fourth straight year, while Surat and Navi Mumbai grabbed the second and third positions respectively, as the Centre announced the results of its latest annual cleanliness survey.
The father of the nation - Mahatma Gandhi said once, "Sanitation is more important than independence". Today, after seven decades of independence, his dream of a clean India is still unfulfilled. Sanitation is not a personal issue, it is indirectly reflected in our socio-economic development and to reach the identity and dignity of the forthcoming generations. Cleanliness is not a responsibility of the government only, it is also our duty to live healthily. Positive and collective steps can change society's attitude towards sanitation. Our responsibility is necessary to sustain the country's beauty.
Amit Singh Kushwaha,
Satna (M.P.)
The decision of CWC to back the continuation of Sonia Gandhi as the Congress chief till the next AICC session is not going to yield any significant result. The sort of indecision has led the Congress to the present precarious situation. The fact is that the party is obsessed with the Gandhi's and doesn't want to look for fresh faces who can give it a new direction. The party needs a major overhaul. They should have learnt a lesson from the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, whose quick and sharp decision helped him save his government in the conflict with Sachin Pilot. Sonia Gandhi should quit as the Congress Chief and the party should appoint a non- Gandhi chief. Everyone knows that Rahul Gandhi is not fit for the post and Sonia Gandhi is growing in age now. The Congress leadership has failed in all aspects. The party is not winning elections, young and strong leaders are leaving because they are not getting a chance due to dynastic politics. It is time to hand over the party leadership to a young and powerful face.
Chandan Kumar Nath,
Sorbhog, Barpeta.
I am indeed thankful to the authorities concerned for providing loan moratorium to thousands of customers like me who had either taken a P/L or C/L from bank or lending agencies, during the lockdown imposed in the whole country to tackle the corona crisis.
That decision of the government really helped us as we all are badly affected by the sudden lockdown imposed, with no time to plan our finances.
But off late, the sudden incoming messages from the lenders to keep accounts funded as moratorium ends on 31st August is an alarming call. I have taken two personal loans and so have to pay 2 EMIs monthly.
But the lockdown has snatched my business and it will take time to restart. I am without any business since March 2020. I will have to restart all over again and it will take time. In two weeks time, I cannot restart everything and pay my EMIs.
The constant messages from banks and calls are also a headache which will be resorted to by the agencies as soon as moratorium is lifted.
It is my humble request to the authorities concerned to see that common people like me are not made to suffer for no fault of theirs. A more ample amount of time, if provided by the authorities will surely help borrowers like me to at least stand up, build the business back to be able to repay my EMIs. Otherwise, a bleak future awaits us.
P.P Barua,
Guwahati
Once again, the leaders of the congress party in its last CWC meeting failed to take a firm decision of replacing the interim president Sonia Gandhi in spite of demand from about 23 senior Congress leaders for the same. A coterie of sycophant in their personnel interest did not let it happen, faring their importance in the party may go down with the election of a new president. Some of the leaders who wanted change in guard have expressed that Congress will have to sit in the opposition bench for another 50 years. The rampant corruption in 2G and mining in UPA time has diminished the image of the party whose contribution for the independence of the country nobody can deny. Why the party cannot come out from the clutches of the Gandhis. No Gandhi is acceptable to the countryman as Prime Minister as none of them have the capability for the same. In the CWC meeting Rahul's remarks against the leaders who had written for election of the party president along with the CWC members was very authoritarian. The party is not the personal property of Rahul Gandhi. Freedom to express their views by the senior leaders should have been openly discussed rather than not allowing the same. Charges were brought against the leaders writing the letter for change in leadership to Sonia Gandhi as colluding with BJP. Gulam Nabi Azad, a veteran Congress leader even expressed his willingness to resign if the charge is proved. The Congress if cannot come out from the present crisis then it will further diminish the image of the party. For reorganizing the party, the coterie of sycophant should have the courage to work for the battlement of the party rather than supporting Sonia or for that matter Rahul Gandhi.
The people of the country always want a strong opposition.
Bikash Barpujari,
Beltola Guwahati