Blocking of roads around Don Bosco School
The Don Bosco School in Pan Bazar, Guwahati, is a premier school located in a busy locality in the city. The school has produced many gems in the course of its journey of several decades.
However, we observe a very distressing trend in the roads in and around this school, especially during the start and close of school hours. The roads get choked and blocked by the cars of guardians and parents of the pupils and students of the school. The attitude of the parents of the school kids is extremely disturbing. They feel that it is their birthright to block the roads during such hours of pick-up and dropping off school children at this school. These are all major public roads, which people use. There are important institutions all around the school, including telecom service providers, insurance companies, banks, etc., apart from the Cotton University complex. The parents are defiant not to allow the passing of other vehicles. Importantly, vehicles are parked haphazardly, hours before the closure of the school.
The roads getting choked with vehicles when school children are to be dropped off and picked up is understandable. But making others suffer for that is not acceptable. Further, a central government health facility is located opposite the school gate. Medical care may be affected because of the attitude of such parents and guardians. It is distressing that the Police Commissionerate of Guwahati city is just yards away from this location, and yet the chaos is allowed to pervade. Through the columns of your esteemed publication, we bring this to the notice of the authorities and their urgent and immediate intervention in this regard.
We also urge the school authorities of Don Bosco School to see to it that traffic discipline, by the guardians and parents of school children, is maintained in and around the school so that others are not affected and adverse incidents are prevented. What is applicable for Don Bosco School, Pan Bazar, Guwahati, is also applicable to other schools in Guwahati and other places.
D Bhutia,
RGB Road, Guwahati
Climatic changes in Assam: A growing concern
Assam, known for its lush tea gardens and vibrant culture, is increasingly facing the challenges of climatic changes. Over the years, the region has witnessed rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and frequent floods. These changes have caused serious disruptions in the agricultural sector, which is the backbone of the state's economy. Farmers, particularly those dependent on rice cultivation, are struggling with unpredictable weather, leading to crop failure and reduced yields.
Moreover, the frequent floods in Assam, exacerbated by climate change, have caused widespread devastation, displacing thousands and damaging infrastructure. Rising temperatures have also affected the region’s rich biodiversity, threatening wildlife and forest ecosystems. It is crucial for the state to adapt to these changes through sustainable practices, better flood management, and climate-resilient agriculture. The government must prioritize environmental protection and raise awareness to safeguard Assam’s future and preserve its natural heritage.
Trishna Sarania
(trishnasarania4@gmail.com)
Deteriorating road in Goreswar
I wish to express my concern regarding the condition of the road from the central part of Goreswar town, as brought to my notice through your esteemed newspaper. The route is very essential for our local community and has been deteriorating progressively, making travel more difficult with each passing day. The road surface is now so bad that even heavy vehicles cannot ply on this road. It passes next to a river and is raising alarms concerning erosion possibilities, especially because it has no boundary or embankment on the side of the river. Thus, it poses huge risks to both commuters and residents who rely on this roadway for their day-to-day activities. Therefore, I earnestly request your publication to bring this pressing issue to the notice of the relevant authorities so that it may be redressed. Timely intervention is needed so that the road may be repaired and saved from erosion by the river for the safety and convenience of the people of Goreswar.
Aditi Devi
Goreswar
Effects of social media
The news regarding the Dispur MLA Atul Bora's writing a letter to the PM urging him to ban children under 16 from using social media has drawn our attention. At the same time, his well-deserved efforts must be appreciated. There is no doubt that in today's digital age, social media has greatly influenced the lives of young people. The teenagers from 13 to 19 years of age spend about nine hours each day on social media, while those in the 'tween' ages of 8 to 12 years spend about six hours a day. It has come to be learnt that when the teenagers spend more time on social media, they face cyberbullying, threats, and cruelty leading to social anxiety, depression, and exposure to content that is not age-appropriate. When a teen plays a game or accomplishes a task on social media, the youth loses mental balance, resulting in a fast deterioration of lifestyle. There is wide acknowledgement that something concrete must be done in the immediate term to help prevent young teens and children from being exposed to streams of content that are unfiltered and infinite on social media. It may be mentioned here that the Australian government will ban children under 16 from using social media after its parliament approved the world's strongest laws. The Prime Minister of the country asserts that the legislation is necessary to safeguard young individuals from the potential negative impacts of social media. We want our kids to have a childhood and parents to know we have their backs. Social media can be good if parents set boundaries the right way and set controls on the teens' and tweens' phones with access to their passwords. Phones should not be allowed to be charged other than in their rooms at night, and it should be shut off an hour or two before they go to bed. The time has come for every conscious citizen to think deeply about the enormous negative impact of social media. Now what is needed urgently is for all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and individuals, to come onto the same platform and evolve innovative approaches to create an environment of practising yoga and mass participation in offline constructive activities like storytelling, drawing, literary competitions, etc. among the young children to provide significant relief. Maintaining a healthy balance on the use of much-needed social media while keeping mental health on the top is the need of the hour, as we cannot compromise the future of this precious human resource at the cost of social media.
Iqbal Saikia,
Guwahati.
Christmas memories
Christmas is a festival that is celebrated through love, peace, and joy. Millions of people all over the world celebrate this festival in memory of the birth of Jesus Christ. People decorate their homes with beautiful lights and colours to celebrate this festival. The mere mention of the word ‘Christmas’ evokes a vivid imagery of a magical season filled with warmth, cheer, and an all-encompassing sense of joy. It is a time when families come together to celebrate the love and bond they share while the aroma of freshly baked treats and the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree fill the air. The exchange of gifts and heartfelt messages of appreciation further enhance the festive spirit. Beyond the materialistic pleasures, this time of the year also provides an opportunity for introspection, gratitude, and spiritual reflection. In essence, Christmas is a deeply meaningful and cherished occasion that captures the essence of humanity’s most profound values.
Jubel D'Cruz,
(jubeldcruz@yahoo.com)
Protecting Guwahati’s natural beauty
I wish to draw attention to an issue that affects both the charm and liveability of our city—Guwahati’s rising traffic congestion and the growing number of flyovers being built to address it.
Guwahati has always been known for its natural beauty—the rolling hills, the vast Brahmaputra, and its green spaces make it unique. However, in recent years, our city has become increasingly choked by traffic. Flyovers seem to be the quick solution, but they often come at a cost. Trees are cut, green spaces disappear, and the city slowly starts to lose its natural charm that we have all grown up with and taken pride in.
Of course, development is necessary, but we must ask ourselves if building more flyovers is the only answer. What about improving public transport with better buses or metro connectivity? Can we create cycling lanes, pedestrian-friendly spaces, and encourage carpooling? Small changes like these can ease traffic without disrupting the beauty and environment of the city.
It is important that our authorities plan for solutions that focus on the long-term well-being of both the city and its people. Guwahati deserves to develop, but in a way that does not erase its identity and natural beauty.
Let us not sacrifice what makes our city special in the rush to solve immediate problems.
Moitrayee Saikia
(moitrayeesaikia5@gmail.com)
A child’s cry
Childhood trauma is an issue that often doesn't come into focus, but it demands immediate attention. The effects of such trauma are not just personal but societal, as untreated trauma contributes to cycles of dysfunction, violence, and socio-economic disparities. Today's youth are commonly facing this problem because of many reasons. Abuse, neglect from parents, unhappy family environments, divorce of parents, etc. Each of these factors can disrupt a child's sense of safety and security, impacting their emotional and psychological well-being.
Childhood trauma is a significant risk factor for suicide because of unresolved pain. This type of trauma starts from homes only when the parents ignore their child's pain and don't give enough attention to them. The children start blaming themselves, causing self-doubt, loneliness, isolation, cognitive distortions, and many other things.
Also, when a child fails to get attention and love in their home, they try to seek love and attention outside, sometimes from strangers, which can be sometimes harmful, such as a toxic relationship, because they don't get enough love from their parents. So they create high expectations from their partner, which can cause a toxic relationship. They have the fear of being abandoned, for which they try to hold on to their loved ones tightly, but as a result they may lose them.
Only because of childhood trauma, the victim faces its effects throughout their lifetime: failed relationships, bullying, loneliness, lack of self-confidence, etc.
This can be cured by focusing on the problems the victims are facing by giving them psychological treatment so that they can overcome their trauma. Some of the strategies to overcome this trauma are parenting support—when parents will support them and understand them, handling them with love and care, giving them enough love so that they don't seek it in others, and creating a happy environment. When a child will find a happy environment at home and love among parents, the child will feel safe at home.
A good relationship with parents is the most important thing that can save a child from childhood trauma. I urge everyone to recognise the importance of this issue and invest in creating a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Prastuti Kalita
(prastutikalita00@gmail.com)
Hostel ragging: A silent crisis
Hostel ragging, often viewed as a mere initiation ritual by some, has quietly become a deep-rooted crisis in many educational institutions. While the practice might seem like harmless fun to some senior or super senior borders of the hostel, the truth is far more disturbing. Ragging has become a severe form of bullying, wreaking havoc on the mental, emotional, and academic lives of countless students, particularly the juniors who are subjected to it.
The senior boarders, many of whom may be dealing with their own personal frustrations, often resort to ragging as a misguided means of coping with their boredom. This act of bullying is seen by them as a way to regain control, assert power, or simply to entertain themselves. What they fail to realise is that their actions can destroy the lives of young students who come to hostels with dreams of a better future. The humiliation, verbal abuse, and sometimes physical harm inflicted upon juniors can leave lasting scars, often leading to depression, anxiety, and a deep sense of helplessness.
The impact of ragging extends beyond just emotional distress. Hostels are considered an affordable option for students compared to private accommodation. But many students, particularly from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, who are unable to pay high rent for paying guests, are forced to leave their hostels due to the trauma they endure. In some tragic cases, the consequences have been even more devastating, with students taking their own lives due to the unbearable pressure and harassment they face. This highlights the severity of the problem and the urgent need for action.
Educational institutions, especially universities, have a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of their students. A zero-tolerance approach to ragging must be implemented immediately, with strict actions taken against offenders. Anti-ragging cells, if not already in place, should be established in every educational institution. These cells should not just be symbolic but actively engage in monitoring hostel activities and addressing complaints. Regular surprise inspections in hostels, involving senior faculty members and administrative staff, can go a long way in deterring ragging and creating an environment of accountability.
Another crucial step is to increase awareness among students, both seniors and juniors, about the negative impact of ragging. Orientation programs, workshops, and awareness campaigns must be conducted at the beginning of each academic year, emphasizing the psychological trauma caused by such practices and the severe consequences for those involved in ragging. Peer support networks and counselling services should also be made available to both victims and perpetrators of ragging.
Furthermore, creating a culture of respect and empathy, where seniors no longer see ragging as a “tradition” but as a harmful practice, is essential to ending this cycle. Only then can we hope to ensure that hostels remain safe, welcoming spaces where students can focus on their education and personal growth.
Parismita Goswami
Gauhati University