Environmental sustainability: Guwahati’s path forward
I am writing to highlight the need to promote environmental sustainability in our beloved city of Guwahati. As the city continues to grow, we are witnessing alarming levels of pollution, vanishing green spaces, and an overall decline in our natural environment.
The Brahmaputra, which is central to our city’s identity, is now struggling under the weight of plastic waste and untreated pollutants. Moreover, urbanisation has taken a toll on our parks and forests, reducing air quality and harming biodiversity. These changes affect not only our environment but also the health and well-being of everyone in Guwahati.
We all have a role to play in addressing this issue. Simple steps like using fewer plastics, segregating waste, saving water, and planting trees can create a positive impact. At the same time, authorities must invest in better waste management systems, enforce environmental regulations, and promote renewable energy solutions.
Community involvement is equally important. Schools, colleges, and local groups can organise awareness programs, clean-up drives, and tree-planting initiatives to bring people together for this cause. When we act as a community, we can achieve lasting change.
Guwahati is a city with immense natural beauty and cultural heritage. Let us all work together to protect it for ourselves and future generations.
Moitrayee Saikia,
(moitrayeesaikia5@gmail.com)
Grow organic
food products
It reveals from a recent news item that the Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries shared the data of India's export of organic food products in a reply to the Lok Sabha. The export potential of organic food products has been self-evident in the Minister's reply that has apprised the volume of organic food exports during the last 5 years and up to November 25 of the current year. We might recall that Prime Minister Modi, being impressed by Sikkim's success in organic farming, had advocated for the same in Assam early in his term of premiership.
Sikkim, a member of Ashtalakshmi, a name assigned to the 8 NE states, has become the first organic state in the world. Assam, on the other hand, since announcing a scheme—Mission Organic Value Chain Development—to promote organic production in Assam has not laid out any roadmap to popularize the scheme on a wider scale. For the long period of unrestrained use of chemicals and fertilizers in agriculture in Assam, contaminated products of cereals, vegetables, spices, etc., are only available for mass consumption. In their endeavour to get excessive returns, the farmers have lavishly used chemical fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture resulting in a substantial increase in the production of cereals, vegetables, etc. But synthetically produced food products have caused various health issues out of their consumption.
We had traditional and sustainable farming practices producing healthy food products. Being inspired from our traditional practices, organic farming has also been popular in the western countries. It is high time the state administration took solid steps to minimize use of fertiliser and pesticide in agriculture and promote and popularise organic production in Assam.
Pannalal Dey,
Guwahati.
Importance of student politics
Student politics is a very important aspect in the formation of society. Through this, students are able to acquire political knowledge and leadership qualities. Student politics is a powerful means of creating a sense of social responsibility and goodwill towards change among students. It brings the youthful energy forward in the development of the country. In addition, it helps to teach democratic values and understand the meaning of discipline.
However, ineffectiveness in this regard hampers education. The main purpose of education is to create a conscious citizen with the right politics. Student politics will provide a direction for the development of society and nation.
Varjina Khakhlari,
Gauhati University
Emotional health: A rising concern among Gen Z
As a concerned citizen, I believe that emotional health is becoming a serious consideration that is not spoken about openly in society, especially among the rising youth who are termed as Gen Z. Though this generation is seen to be inclined much more towards emphatic elements like understanding other's perspectives, the ability to recognise what someone is feeling or going through, being non-judgemental, imagining self by keeping themselves in other's space, and so on, yet they are not being understood in return on the same levels as they do. Many combined factors have given an edge to this issue, which can be seen rising rapidly. Some of the prevalent factors faced by these people are societal pressure, fancy living standard comparisons, pressure of academic and early career setup, family or relationship issues, and many more, thus leading to a number of problems like depression, drug addiction, self-harm (being suicidal is one of the prime consequences of it), isolating oneself, binge eating, etc.
But like every problem has a solution, these issues too have their own way of solutions. There are also positive doors opened to overcome such complex setbacks. Integrating emotional health literacy into education to teach coping strategies early on; hosting of more talks and interactive sessions where young people feel safe discussing emotional well-being; creating social media platforms where Gen Zs can express themselves without judgements; and in the field of tech and media, working with developers to promote apps tailored to Gen Z's needs. Thus, being a serious concern, we as responsible citizens are to look after this by meeting Gen Zs where they are - culturally and digitally—and can be fought against it by the way of combining self-awareness, community support, and professional resources. Applying proper strategies can aid in fostering a healthier emotional environment.
Barnali Das D,
(imbarnalidas07@gmail.com)
China’s climb down
It is good to know that China has, at least outwardly, begun to understand its limitations across the border. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's statement in the parliament has clearly outlined New Delhi's firm commitment towards stitching bilateral relations and, at the same time, remaining resolute on quite a few of its already announced stands on the issue. In the past, unfazed by the repeated snubs from the Indian side, Beijing's antics at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at eastern Ladakh continued unabated. But after the fresh understanding in October on the Ladakh standoff, Beijing has certainly climbed down over its stance. Jaishankar underlined the main principles that should govern the newfound bonhomie between the two sides.
Going back on the present status quo, especially with respect to the LAC, cannot be tolerated, and honouring all past agreements on the disputed issue cannot be compromised, at any rate by India. Of late, the leaders of both sides have had a flurry of diplomatic activities to stabilise bilateral ties, and that seems to have paid off. However, it goes without saying that India has to be on its guard and be aware of the nefarious designs of the People's Liberation Army (PLA). That being said, "well begun is half done", and India and China have a remarkable opportunity to mend fences to herald peace and tranquillity in the region.
Dr. Ganapathi Bhat,
(gbhat13@gmail.com)