Kiren Rijiju in action!
Kiren Rijiju, the Union Cabinet Minister, seemed to be quite blunt while expressing his anguish against the treatment meted out to the people of the North-East by the people in power in Delhi, whether ministers or bureaucrats. Taking part in debate in the Rajya Sabha recently, he exposed the real challenges faced by the people of North-East when they come to Delhi for the purpose to redress their grievances. They go from pillar to post in the power center in Delhi, but without any result. It is not wrong to suggest that people in power in Delhi look down upon the people of North-East with disdain. Finally, people have to return home with a heavy heart. Such discrimination must go. I thank Rijiju for his courage and conviction to speak the truth, being in the Government. At the same time, I urge our representatives from Assam to learn from Kiren Rijiju to call spade a spade. I want to conclude by saying; "heroes die once, others die many times before death."
Prafulla Dowarah,
Guwahati.
Untold story
'The Kashmir Files', directed by Vivek Agnihotri, with a talented star cast, is a film totally based on facts about the massive genocide which took place in Kashmir in 1990-1991 under the then Congress regime with Bharat Ratna Late Rajiv Gandhi as the Prime Minister of the nation. The movie virtually stirred a hornets' nest across the nation where it exposed the facts about the horrible plight of the Kashmiri Pandits, to which even the then Prime Minister belonged. It reminds us about the persecution of the helpless Jews during the Nazi regime under Hitler. The diabolic attempts by the INC, SP, AIUDF, TMC, Leftists, the so-called Secularists, who have blamed the film as an attempt to divide the nation along communal lines, are already understood by the people loyal to the nation. The stoic silence maintained by the big guns of Bollywood, namely Big B, Jaya Bachhan, Amir Khan, Karan Johar, Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Farhan Akhtar, Hrithik Roshan etc., in this regard very simply exposes their loyalty to the nation. They are only reel patriotic stars, but not real patriots. Vivek Agnihotri and his entire team deserves all praises for unfolding this untold story hidden by the pseudo-secular lobby for almost 34 years. Is this yet another fall-out of Secularism? God forbid the very same fate does not await us going by the massive demographic change around the State.
Dr Ashim Chowdhury,
Guwahati.
An informative book
Yachi Gamini, a historical novel in Assamese penned by Dr Bhupen Salkia, a well-known writer of the State based on the historical account of the marriage between Yachi Gamini, an Arunachali girl who was later known as Batalu Kunwori, and King Rudra Singha which took place in 1703 AD, is a must-read novel in my view. It reveals the history of 'Batolu Garh', 'Gamini Ghat', Gamiri Ghat etc., of the northern part of the Brahmaputra river. Throughout the novel the writer tells the story of Swargadeo Rudra Singha and his relations with neighbouring people like the Arunachalis . Even for smooth running of his administration as per advice of the then bureaucrats of Swargadeo, he married Yachi , the daughter of a Gaam , the leader of the Dafalas (Nyishi) of a particular area of Arunachal Pradesh . Yachi got married and she was placed in Biswanath. She stayed there till her death and executed many notable works there among the people. She was very popular among the people and they said her as 'Batolu Kuwori'. Dr Salkia tells the history of the north bank of the Brahmaputra, particularly Biswanath , Gohpur etc., through the novel with the help of the facts discovered by Dr Nityananda Gogoi, historian and retired principal of Biswanath College. He uses the local language of Dafalas in the novel. Dr Saikia has unveiled the history of this hidden chapter of Assam history in a wonderful way to us all. I thank him through your esteemed daily for giving us such an informative and amazing book. I also request historian Dr Gogoi to keep up his work so that we may have more facts from the pages of history in this regard.
Aditya Ankur Nath,
Tezpur.
Be happy and live longer
International Day of Happiness is celebrated every year on March 20 across the globe. The day aims to highlight the importance of happiness in the day-to-day life of individuals. Happiness is an essential need in any human's life and influences the well-being of humans. Research has shown that happiness is not a destination; it is a practice associated with mental and physical health. Happiness and health are related to career success, improving relationships, enhancing creativity and longevity. The World Happiness Report for 2021, released by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, pointed out that Finland ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world. India has been ranked 139 out of 149 countries as per the report. The initiative to declare 'A Day of Happiness' came from Bhutan, the world's happiest country, whose citizens are considered happy people. Bhutan is the only country in the world that has a 'GNH'. It refers to Gross National Happiness (GNH), which is a philosophy that guides the Government of Bhutan. It is a well-known fact that happy people tend to live longer and have fewer health issues. Studies have shown that people who are kind and generous towards others feel happier by themselves. Treating others with kindness is more effective for promoting our happiness than treating ourselves. Since most of us spend a lot of our lives working, work inevitably plays a prominent role in shaping degrees of happiness levels. Some States in India have introduced the 'Happiness Curriculum' for students at the primary school level. Reports suggest that it is a good step in the right direction. Happiness is the concern of everyone.
Krishna Kumar Vepakomma,
Hyderabad – 500045.
Comedians-turned politicians
What do Bhagwant Singh Mann and Volodmyr Zelenskyy have in common? Well, both are comedians-turned-politicians. In fact, the pages of political history show that plenty of Presidents and Prime Ministers had begun their careers as actors, musicians and satirists. But, can a comedian by profession make a good political leader and does he really have what it takes to lead a State or a country? Yes, there are many reasons why he can do so. Using humour has been shown to strengthen solidarity among colleagues, and successful leaders can channel humour into team spirit. In politics, laughter might not be the best medicine always to diffuse tension, but if leaders want to motivate ebbing and wearying followers, a well-timed joke can do the trick. Research has shown not only that humour can encourage positive thinking, but it can also suppress negative feelings. If political leaders use humour carefully, they can turn laughs into votes and giggles into team spirit. However, in the prevailing political scenario, while Mann is enjoying his time, having become the new Chief Minister of Punjab, Zelenskyy is fighting a war against Russia as a defiant hero, grabbing the global headlines.
Ranganathan Sivakumar,
Chennai – 600 091.