Joshita’s suicide
The recent suicide of Joshita Das, a junior engineer in the PWD (Housing) department, who left behind a note blaming two senior officials for her extreme step, has triggered widespread outrage across the state. It is deeply disturbing that a young government woman engineer had to endure such relentless harassment that she was ultimately driven to take her own life. This heart-wrenching incident starkly exposes the grim reality of how unsafe and mentally distressing workplaces can still be, especially for women. What’s even more concerning is the reflection this casts on the prevailing work culture—one in which honest and upright individuals often find it difficult to discharge their duties without fear, stress, or victimisation. This very pressure forces even the most principled officers to compromise their conscience, contributing to the persistence of corruption and unethical practices despite government initiatives against them. Joshita’s tragic death is likely not an isolated case. Several such instances of harassment may still be continuing silently, hidden under the veil of forced compromise and fear. This also underlines a critical reason behind the ongoing brain drain in the country—when deserving and talented youth, especially women, don’t feel protected or respected in their workplace, they seek opportunities elsewhere, in states or nations that offer safety, dignity, and professional fulfilment.
To prevent such horrifying incidents from recurring in the future, it is imperative that the accused be brought to justice and punished severely. Only strong and exemplary action will send a clear message that such abuse of power will not be tolerated in a civilised and just society.
Dipen Gogoi,
Teok, Jorhat
Cadaveric organ donation
Organ donation and transplantation provide a second chance at life for thousands of people in India each year. Our state has expanded its capacity to retrieve and transplant organs from donors to a network of 12 hospitals, but sadly, the majority of these hospitals are concentrated in the state capital, Guwahati, and therefore, the scenario of organ transplants or donated organs paints a grim picture. This fact we have come to learn from the July 26 editorial, 'Pushing policy for cadaveric organ donation,' in which it has been rightly said that there have always been pledges from people for organ donation, as it is a noble act that can save or improve the lives of many people. Why does organ donation then appear to be a scary term for most of us? Actually, many people in our society are not aware of the need for organ donation or the process of cadaveric organ donation. The main reasons for this low donation rate are lack of awareness, religious and cultural belief, family refusal, legal hurdles, logistic challenges, and social stigma. Another reason is lack of infrastructure for organ donation, especially cadaveric organ donation, in the state. If the NGOs working in the health sector and running organ donation awareness campaigns from time to time in different parts of the state are incentivised, they can definitely bring about a transformative change in cadaveric organ donation and transplant. A strong coordinated network of approved hospitals, the transport department, and the police department is essential in identifying a cadaveric organ donor who happens to meet with a serious accident and has been declared brain-dead by doctors. At this juncture, the victim's family needs stronger emotional appeal and persuasion than theoretical explanation about the importance of cadaveric organ donation. Family members of the victim, if they feel necessary, can also talk to a known doctor about it to understand the process and give clarity on the process. People from all walks of life must realise the importance of cadaveric organ donation and create an environment in the society, especially in the family, where a member has gone into a coma due to brain death. By donating organs, such special category donors can leave behind a legacy of hope and generosity that can inspire others to follow suit. Unless the state government comes out with a well-thought-out multipronged strategy, it is not possible to bridge the widening gap between the availability of cadaveric organs and the number of needy patients across the state.
Iqbal Saikia,
Guwahati
APJ Abdul Kalam: common man’s President
One of the wise decisions of the AB Vajpayee government was to propose Arul Pakir Jainulabdeen (APJ) Abdul Kalam as India's 11th President. Kalam proved to be a man of all religions and a punctilious President. His endearing qualities of head and heart propelled people to compare him with S. Radhakrishnan—both were non-politicians who had excelled in their professions. Kalam elevated the president's post like nobody did. Simplicity, humility, and scholarship defined his tenure as India's most popular president. He went on to be called a "people's president" because he made Rashtrapati Bhavan accessible to the common man. Kalam's teacher in him, and his inherent tendency to reach out to citizens, made him stand out as the country's first citizen.
That he was a self-made man who always believed in keeping the mind in fourth gear impressed the people of India. He was no "rubber stamp" and was not keen for another term. From aeronautic engineer to DRDO scientist to scientific advisor to presidentship—the man excelled in whatever he did. His immensely popular quotes always " Ignited minds" like "Wings of Fire." Kalam kept himself active even after laying down the office of president. Though APJ Abdul Kalam passed away on July 27, 2015, his memory will remain forever as a missile man who raised India's presidentship to a level unheard of.
Dr Ganapathi Bhat
(gbhat13@gmail.com)