Letters to The Editor

The attention of the General Manager I/C (HR) IOC (AOD) Digboi was drawn to the news item published in The Sentinel on 26th February, 2021 under the caption 'Sudden surge in COVID cases in Digboi, 1 worker dead, several AOD officials test positive'.

Through a rejoinder, the GM, AOD, Digboi clarified that the news item is factually incorrect and baseless. He clarified that the deceased person, late Manhar Bhai Patel had tested negative for the COVID-19 virus on his arrival at Digboi in RT-PCR Test on February 11. He suspected that the victim might have contracted the virus later in Digboi. According to him, mandatory RT-PCR Test on arrival for all employees/family members/contractors/workers with travel history from any outside State has been going on without exception.

"During the period of engagement if any ILI/SARI-like symptoms develop among the workers, re-testing with COVID test is done and workers are sent for isolation. COVID-19 positive cases are transferred to Tinsukia Civil hospital, AMCH Dibrugarh depending upon the severity of the condition of patients after liaising with Digboi CHC/Tinsukia Civil Hospital/AMCH," said the letter of rejoinder.

Meanwhile, repudiating the media content about the probable spread of COVID-19 from the outside workers, the GM AOD said that the COVID-19 virus was not spreading from these workers in Digboi Town.

Further it was also clarified that AOD Digboi Refinery has been serving the people of the region through its essential services of petroleum products and the maintenance and inspection shut down is indispensable for the smooth running of the refinery by taking care of safety requirements.

However, the Digboi reporter of the said media house had filed the news only after considering the greater aspects taking into account the ongoing sentiments of the people which were evident after the sudden rise in the positive cases. Prior to the arrival of the workers, there were no serious positive cases in Digboi for several months which might have made people to believe so and hold the said opinion. Moreover, listening to the popular voice being expressed by student bodies, live media reporting from ground zero, contents of the several print media on vernacular languages, opinions of the Digboi CHC authority, complaining text to DC office Tinsukia were seriously taken into account while filling the story. The statement of an AOD official was also secured during a physical meeting at his office chamber after the sudden surge in the detection of positive cases was reported. Unfortunately, no press communiqué or correspondence was also made by the AOD authority regarding the steps it was undertaking to combat the menace immediately. No such correspondence to media was also made from the district administration on the travel history of the workers with positive cases of the deceased one. Even the doctor at Digboi CHC termed it as a 'complicated one' after the sharp rise in the cases was surfaced mostly among the workers and employees of the AOD and others.

Hence, it was the sentiments of the people and the then-impending situations giving rise to varied opinions that were given space in the media house without any malafide intentions. The said news item in no way has any malign design or perverted intention either in words or in action. It has always served the greater industrial cause of the AOD Digboi without being biased over a period of time.

However, the Digboi journalist representing The Sentinel greatly regrets the error in regard to the name of the ED, AOD which was unintentional. In lieu of SS John the then ED AOD Digboi the android phone automatically accepted the name 'John Ekka' one of the former AOD employee of Digboi. The error is deeply regretted.

Laxman Sharma,

Digboi,

(laxmansharma.press@gmail.com)

Hyprocrites

The present season is full of tall promises and assurances. The aspiring candidates in poll-bound states of Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerela and Union Territory of Puducherry have filled the atmosphere with promises and assurances. Majority of the politicians are hypocrites who have no regard for ideology or principles. They are contented when their wishes and ambitions are fulfilled by the party but if anyhow their way is blocked they start shifting parties and at the same time criticize their former party. Yesteryears silver screen idol Kamal Hassan who has ventured into regional politics in Tamil Nadu is trying to drive a wedge between the Tamil people and Hindi-speaking people. We all remember the same Kamal Hassan acted in several Bollywood movies like Saagar, Ek Duuje Ke Liye, etc to name a few. But today the same Kamal Hassan is trying to create a rift between Tamils and Hindi-speaking community for his cheap electoral gain. Kamal Hassan may be a hero in reel life but an outright villain in real life. Tamil people's craze for silver screen hero/heroine is really amusing.

Dr. Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati-1.

Cleaning up water bodies

The PM's call for a 100-day drive to clean up water bodies and harvesting rainwater is a good step towards water conservation and cleanliness. It is possible only if all citizens actively participate in it. We must not throw flowers, food waste, plastic, etc, in rivers and lakes. We should also not waste water while washing cars with a hose and use water judiciously for our daily needs. Water is fast becoming a scarce in many areas. Let's save it before it is too late.

Chandan Kumar Nath,

Sorbhog.