Heat Wave
Right now, an unprecedented heat wave has been engulfing Assam from Dhubri to Sadiya, with temperatures dancing around 37/39 degrees Celsius without any respite, making life very difficult for all. Even the inmates of Assam State Zoo are having a torrid time. If the present heat wave continues for another three to four days, the normal daily life of common people will suffer immensely along with flora and fauna.
According to many, the most probable factor behind this long heat wave is the massive destruction of greeneries for the sake of development. Deforestation and development can never go side by side as planned by concerned authorities. We understood that thousands of saplings were planted somewhere near Guwahati recently with lots of fanfare and publicity, the fates of which are not known to us to date. The translocation of the big trees of GNB Road owes us an explanation. For a layman like yours truly, destruction of the greeneries around the state is the root cause of this unprecedented heat wave. Will be glad if proven wrong by the concerned authorities.
Dr. Ashim Chowdhury,
Guwahati.
Khatara Satra development
The recent visit by the state Chief Minister to Khatara Satra was an important event for the entire people of Darrang district as well as the state. During his visit, the Chief Minister announced that both the Manikut and Namghar of the Satra would be constructed newly. The management committee and the people expressed great satisfaction and gratitude to the CM for showing such a favour to the oldest xatra institution in the district. With the favour of the government and the initiative of the stakeholders, it is expected that the devotees and the people would be able to have a new look at the four-and-a-half-century-old revered xatra. People of Darrang can proudly claim that Khatara Satra is not merely a religious institution but also an institution of culture and literature. It has not only been propagating Vaishnavite culture but also been preserving and promoting Darrangi cultural heritage for centuries. It is pertinent to mention that Govinda Atoi, also called Lechakoniya Atoi for being born at Lechakona village of Rangiya and a loyal disciple of Shri Shri Madhavdeva, established the Khatara Satra in the year 1568 in the present place on the bank of the Nonoi River, thinking it to be a sacred spot. The Atoi, facing strong opposition from some of the locals, in preaching Vaishnavism, had to bring the idol of Lord Ram along with those of Janaki, Laxman and Hanuman to establish the Satra Manikut with due permission from Shri Shri Madhavdeva, making the religious institution later a Vaishnavite Satra and a Ram temple as well. So, people of Darrang have the highest reverence towards this religious institution. Some call it Khatara Satra, and some call it Khatara Mandir. Both Vaishnavite and non-Vashnavite devotees visit and offer prayers in it. Khatara Satra has been maintaining rich bi-traditions, and it is the only xatra in the state of Assam to house Ramayana idols. The satra has no head or Xatradhikar but is run by a democratically elected committee. Here both the Vaishnavite and Sanatani traditions are being maintained. It is an ideal institution for the performing arts and culture of Darrang and a museum of valuable assets where festivals like Pacheti, Gondhchoupari, Garibagor dance, Deul, Borshabah, Tithis of Gobinda Atoi, Shri Shri Sankardeva and Madhavdeva, Janmashtami, Nandotshav, Boka bhabona and Phakua are held. People have been appealing to and demanding the state government for early development of the oldest historical Satra of the district and its allied infrastructure on the campus. To the satisfaction of the people, some developmental works have already been done, though the major works are yet to be accomplished. If the xatra is rebuilt attractively as announced by the CM, Darrang can expect more footfalls from the religious and cultural tourists.
Kulendra Nath Deka
Dighirpar, Mangaldai
Man-made heat conditions
The unprecedented heat conditions that Assam is experiencing are definitely not a natural phenomenon. Rather, it is man-made. We all are responsible for the way the weather is behaving at present. It is caused by burning fossil fuels and massive destruction of green cover. The human interference is making the weather hotter every passing day. In Assam, in particular, there has been very little concern for the protection of green cover, be it in the form of a single tree or bush or in the form of a patch of trees or a reserved forest. In Guwahati city alone, more than one thousand fully grown trees have been felled in the past years in order to facilitate the construction of flyovers. Now, one cannot find those beautiful trees on both sides of GNB Road stretching from AGP office to Dighalipukhuri. Those trees have been translocated to another side to facilitate the construction of the city's biggest flyover without consulting the local residents, thus leading to shrinkage of green coverage. The destruction of green cover can have a devastating effect on the lives of people, and it was only recently proved when literally the whole city of Guwahati was in the grip of massive flash floods. What we generally notice is that every new building – government or non-government – when completed, stands alone without a single tree around. The present heat conditions are the only beginning of a long story. Rescheduling school timing is only a temporary measure. What is required is proactive action. One Jadav Payeng cannot make any difference. We need more like him to launch a realistic plantation campaign. Political parties, student organizations, women's groups, and cultural organizations should make exceptional contributions towards helping grow more trees. At a time when the entire world is waking up to the perils of climate change, we have to plant and protect trees from being felled indiscriminately to make room for the development process that we are pursuing.
Iqbal Saikia,
Guwahati.
Forsyth: Master storyteller
Frederick Forsyth, who passed away on June 9 aged 87, was a master storyteller whose novels were a mixture of pace, thrill, espionage, war and more that focused predominantly on politics and personalities. In the 70s and 80s, Forsyth was one of the most read authors who carved a niche for himself with a distinct writing style. Unlike many of his genre, Forsyth's narrative seemed more real, more natural, and more relatable. He was a trained pilot who worked with the M16, a spy by his own admission, a BBC correspondent and a freelance journalist. And he brought his diverse experience in these fields to his books that made reading exhilarating and interesting.
Forsyth's eye for detail was as inspiring as was his wont for exhaustive research. A few of his great books were The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File, The Dogs of War, The Fox, The Devil's Alternative and The Fourth Protocol. Although his first novel, The Day of the Jackal, authored in 1971, is considered a masterpiece and was the most famous of his pieces, becoming a global bestseller, many view "The Fourth Protocol" as his best. That eight of his novels were made into films is a testimony to the popularity of his writings. Having published 25 books with an estimated readership of over 65 million, Forsyth and his writing style will be missed.
Dr Ganapathi Bhat
(gbhat13@gmail.com)