Opposition unity?
With the advent of 2026 assembly election in the state, election fever is slowly gripping the state. Every political party has started gearing up its poll related activities.
Likewise, the ruling BJP recently held a high-level party meeting in its party HQ in Guwahati which was attended by CM, his cabinet colleagues, all other party workers up to the grassroots level cadres. Specific instructions regarding their jobs in the coming days were issued, which is natural in a cadre-based political party.
Taking cue from the BJP, the opposition too started sorting out their poll strategy by holding a meeting in a resort named Attithya in Sonapur where leaders from all political parties except AIUDF were invited by the newly formed Nagarik Samaj. The convenor of the said meeting was no other than our Grand old man Dr. Hiren Gohain, the so-called THINK TANK of Assam and the general of many lost battles. What happened on that evening inside the conference room is no doubt a sign of shape of things to come. MP Pradyut Bordoloi rushed out of the meeting after Sivasagar MLA hurled abuses on his party terming the century old party as traitor. Will the opposition unity materialise? The answer seems to be thumbs down.
We, the electorate, are amused and humbly beg Dr. Gohain to call it a day from active politics in the state. Enough is enough.
Joel Gayari
Tangla.
Let MoUs come into reality
It is indeed a matter of pleasure that during the recently concluded Assam Advantage 2.0, the state government signed MoUs worth over Rs 5.8 lakh crore rupees. The roadmap currently under preparation for turning these MoUs into reality is the right step in the direction. A key area that Assam needs to focus on is the semiconductor industry, where Singapore's advanced knowledge in fabrication and chip-making will play a crucial role. Singapore's support in areas like electronics, precision engineering, cybersecurity, and software development is crucial for the state's digital transformation. Singapore-Assam skill development collaboration through enhancing vocational education, such as upgrading Industrial Training Institutions (ITIs) and setting up the Northeast's first skill university at Mangaldai, will provide Assamese youth with the industry-relevant skills that are needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving industrial ecosystem. It needs to be mentioned here that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) form the backbone of Assam's industrial framework.
The state needs to tap into the untapped potential of its MSME sector. The partnership with South Korea will help to lay the foundation for knowledge transfer and capacity building in Assam's MSME sector. The editorial 'From MOUs to reality,' published in your esteemed daily on March 2, has rightly said that Assam can become a supply state when the local manpower is given the opportunity to gain specialised skills and the capability to work hard and is ready to take risks. Just meeting the challenges of the burgeoning unemployment problem should not be the aim of these MoUs signed by companies, as it will not benefit the local candidates. We need a well-drawn programme to enable our state's young job seekers to learn the Japanese language and other skills, as Assam is going to work with the Japanese companies in the next five years. While preparing the roadmap, the state government should keep in mind that no indigenous people lose their land to the industries that are going to come up. It should also ensure that companies go for green power and solar power. Finally, what Assam needed was to be a defining game-changer for the entire Northeast through unfolding an inclusive and responsible economic renaissance.
Iqbal Saikia,
Guwahati.
Cruel deportation
The United States of America has the right to deport illegal migrants from any country, including India. However, the recent deportation of Indians, involving handcuffs and military planes without food or water, was handled in an inappropriate and inhumane manner. The US should have taken a more compassionate approach and learnt from India’s more respectful treatment of migrants. Deporting people in such a cruel way was wrong and does not reflect a humane approach to immigration control.
Jubel D'Cruz,
(jubeldcruz@yahoo.com)
Women’s safety
The Pune rape horror has numbed the nation. A 25-year-old woman waiting for a bus to her native place, in the Swargate bus stand, was waylaid by a notorious history-sheeter and raped inside an empty bus. Women and girls continue to suffer in agony in a country where it is not safe for them to venture out at any time in the day, let alone at dusk. Alone or with friends, women tend to be ogled, stalked, humiliated, molested, and raped. Mahatma Gandhi's dream of a "real independent India" when the country's women find it safe to move around the streets at midnight appears far-fetched even after seventy-eight years of independence. It is not enough if girls are taught to be strong and resilient; boys of the house should be moulded to respect girls from a very young age.
Unfortunately, there are some lawmakers in the country who do not think twice before shooting from the hip. They think little before coming up with frequent bloopers and blunders regarding the security of women. In horrendous crimes like rape, the onus cannot be, and should not be, on the victims. Many corners of bus stands and railway stations are devoid of lights and have been converted into vicious dens of drinking, gambling, and prostitution. Police need to keep an eagle eye on history sheeters in deserted areas of public places. Regular police patrolling can certainly deter rogues from orchestrating their heinous plans. However, the police also need to be consistent and thorough in their approach, and a namesake supervision will not suffice.
Dr Ganapathi Bhat
(gbhat13@gmail.com)
India’s Latest Moves: Shaping a Brighter Future?
As India strides towards progress, the government has been busy proposing new initiatives and implementing changes. One such move is the launch of the Aadhaar Good Governance portal, aimed at streamlining Aadhaar authentication requests. This innovative platform promises to promote transparency, accountability, and ease of living for citizens. On the economic front, India's core sectors have shown a promising growth of 4.6% in January. However, the hike in commercial LPG cylinder prices may pinch the pockets of businesses and consumers. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating landslide that blocked the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway. As India navigates these developments, it's essential to stay informed and engaged. By doing so, we can contribute to a more informed citizenry, ultimately shaping a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come.
Bineet Bishal Borthakur
Cotton university